THE RED LOTUS Selected As Official Selection for the Awareness Festival

The Red Lotus is an official selection at The Awareness Festival. The Red Lotus is a narrative 19min short film with a bone chilling story. Two sisters go away for a weekend to strengthen their relationship and uncover a secret that will bind them for life. Set in a world much like today, The Red Lotus is a tale of strength, women's rights, sisterhood, and the human spirit. Michelle drags her sister Debbie to a yoga retreat only to reveal that there is something much bigger than Vinyasa going on. In her traditional storytelling style, Shara interviewed many women who have had abortions for the source material that inspired the film.

The screening will take place in the Short Film Block on Sunday October 7th at 12:00 noon at The LA LIVE Regal at 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. The screening will be followed by a talkback with the filmmakers in the block. Tickets can be purchased in advanced at www.AwarenessFestival.org

The cast includes Jennifer Plotzke, Shara Ashley Zeiger, Paula Rossman, Jared P Smith, Dani Baum, Walker Hare, and Jen Lyon. The film is written by Shara Ashley Zeiger, directed and edited by Jessica Green, with an original score by Leeran Z. Raphaely. The creative team is rounded out by Mike Magilnick, Scott Aviles, Jack Bradley, David Sikora, Adrian Bosi, and Jonathan Wetjen. The Red Lotus is co-executive produced by Shara Ashley Zeiger's company The Platform Group and Paula Rossman's Wall is the Way: Works.

The film was shot on location at The Dragon's Egg in Mystic CT, and at the prestigious Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford CT, where Shara trained with the National Theater Institute.

The Awareness Film Festival is organized by Heal One World, a non-profit charity serving the community surrounding West Pico blvd in Los Angeles, California.

As well as serving as a fundraiser, the mission of the Awareness Film Festival is to inform and inspire audiences through a program of films on Ecological, Political, Health/Well Being and Spiritual topics. More information about the Awareness Festival and how to purchase tickets can be found on their website at www.AwarenessFestival.org.