Exploring Hope for Better Times

Become a miner for hope as you explore its many facets, asking, "What is HOPE? What does it look like, and where do we find it?" "Exploring Hope for Better Times" investigates this vital force from Plato to NASA and beyond, highlighting a decade of projects by The Elfenworks Foundation, student filmmakers and tomorrow's leaders, and introduces social entrepreneurs with over 30 visionary ways forward. Feast your ears on inspiring performances from upcoming artists, while gathering gems of wisdom from the insights and perspectives shared by people from all walks of life.   Exploring Hope for Better Times – a timely feature-length documentary. Coming your way via streaming media distribution soon - and at select film festivals now! - from Elfenworks Productions LLC "Beyond Film & Music!"

Highlights Include:

  • Miners for Hope... prospecting the depths, mining the mother lode.
  • Haiku for Hope... an artivistic adventure.
  • Hope taking Flight… delving the depths and soaring to new heights.
  • Hope in History… from Plato to NASA, how and where do we see hope?
  • Gems of Wisdom... insights & perspectives from people like you & me.
  • Fabulous Musicians... inspiring performances from upcoming artists.
  • Students for Hope... student filmmakers and tomorrow's leaders today.
  • Visionaries for Hope... 30+ different visions for a more hope-filled future.
    ...and so much more!

About the Film 

Ten years in the making, Exploring Hope for Better Times includes hope-filled stories from the decade-long history of The Elfenworks Foundation, including the thirty In Harmony with Hope Awardees, all fostering a more hope-filled tomorrow, each in their own way.  Judged "Original and well directed" by the Festigious International Film Festival, where it garnered Best Inspirational Film, Exploring Hope is a cinematically rich exploration of the value of hope in troubled times. The film has also received the following laurels: Best Host in a Documentary - Colorado International Activism Film Festival; Best Woman Director / Best Documentary Feature laurels - Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival; 4th Place Winner, Documentary Short Category – The International Indie Gathering Film Festival. International screening - Jamaica International Faith Film Festival. Excellence Awards from the Inspired Faith Film Festival and the Depth of Field Film Festival.

* Completed February, 2018.  *  Footage from USA, Jordan, and India.  * 44 minutes. *

Film Team

Written, produced and directed by Lauren Speeth. Assistant Director, Kelly Madsen Shaw. Our Animated Logos: Tim Schaller. Editing, Animation, and Sound Design by Janice Rivera.  Mixing and Mastering by John Watkins. Art Direction by Mike Dalling. Photographs: Lauren Speeth, Janice Rivera, and others. For full credits, see film ending.  Copyright © 2018 Elfenworks Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 

Logline   

Pandora's box is open with troubles everywhere, but one winged thing needs releasing!  Join the Miners for Hope on their quest, exploring hope, the very key to a better tomorrow.

Short Description 

Have you ever felt as if the world's not well, almost as if Pandora's box has been opened, all sorts of evils have spilled out, and only hope remains locked inside, begging for release? We have. But, what is hope anyway? What does it look like, and where do you find it? Join us in an exploration of this vital force that includes highlights from a decade of Elfenworks Foundation projects and 30+ social entrepreneurs all dedicated at building hope, with gems of wisdom from all walks of life!

Promo Stills

Dedication

The film "Exploring Hope" is dedicated to filmmaker Christopher Eric Speeth, the director's uncle and chief filmmaking mentor, who passed away in 2017 before the film was completed.