A decade after Pope John Paul’s historic letter to artists, a group of artists in Florida is putting on a film festival that celebrates the human spirit:

Pope John Paul II’s legacy serves as an inspiration to people of all
faiths and backgrounds, and organizers of a new Florida film festival
in his honor hope it, too, will reach everyone.

“It
is imperative for our community to make this festival their own,” said
Laura Alvarado, one of the founders of the 10-day festival, set for
south Florida in late October and early November. The founders have
sought involvement from religious and nondenominational organizations
and places of worship, including Catholic churches, Jewish temples,
schools and businesses, she said. “If John Paul II was known as ‘the
people’s pope,’ then it is our goal to make this ‘the people’s
festival.’

The John Paul II International Film
Festival, originally set for the last weekend of October, is now
extended to Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Nov. 7. The festival
was conceived by Alvarado and two other young adults who connect with
the late pope, an actor and playwright in his youth, through their
faith and artistic passions.

“(We) all feel that the
arts are the greatest way to deliver a message,” said Alvarado, who
along with her fiancé, Frank Brennan, and friend Rafael Anrrich are the
moving force behind the film festival.

She said the three of them believe many of today’s films are lacking “truth, beauty and love in its purest form.” 

You can find more at the Florida Catholic link.  You can also visit the festival’s website for more details.