EVA HALLER WINS LOCAL LUMINARY AWARD AT PRESTIGIOUS ILLUMINATE FESTIVAL

Eva Haller: A Work in ProgressMY HERO

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ILLUMINATE is the world's leading film festival for evolutionary cinema. Dedicated to spreading enlightened ideas and pushing humanity forward, ILLUMINATE is a landmark destination event and centerpiece for conscious content. Founded on the premise that the language of film is universal and a dynamic force in carrying messages to the masses, the Festival showcases the best of conscious media to uplift, inspire and transform.

The film Eva Haller: A Work in Progress, a documentary that celebrates Eva’s magnanimous heart, positive spirit, and zest for life, opened the festival as it was the embodiment of Illuminate’s goal “to elevate humanity’s sense of self, purpose, and possibility and to leverage the power of cinema to inspire lasting social transformation.”

Said Chloe Shanfeld of the Santa Barbara Independent, “The documentary does a remarkable job at capturing Haller’s lightness through life and sense of humor, even as she endures hardship. As she reminisces on tragedies such as her run-in with Nazis and her husband’s death, Haller manages to keep an incredibly funny and positive air about her.”

The poignant documentary, directed by Jeanne Meyers, has been filmed over the past 10 years and chronicles Haller’s extraordinary life. The film follows Haller's journey from her harrowing experiences during World War II to her remarkable career as a philanthropist and advocate for social justice.

Born in Hungary, Haller survived the horrors of the Holocaust as a young girl, losing her family and enduring unimaginable hardships. However, she emerged from this dark chapter with a resilient spirit and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Lekha SinghEva Haller

The documentary explores Haller's tireless efforts to promote education, healthcare, and economic empowerment in communities around the globe. Through interviews with Haller, her friends, family, and colleagues, viewers gain insight into her indomitable spirit, her passion for building and maintaining relationships, her inspiring philosophy, and the driving force behind her activism.

Despite facing personal tragedies and setbacks, Haller remains steadfast in her belief that one person can make a difference, which is evident in her roles as a board member and mentee to many charitable and humanitarian organizations, including the Sing for Hope Foundation, The MY HERO Project, Asian Initiatives, Women for Women International, Free the Children, and the Jane Goodall Institute.

The film recounts Haller's initial struggle with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting her longing for the comfort of her vast network of friends and family. However, she discovers a solution in the emerging realm of Zoom, finding solace and connection through virtual interactions. Reflecting on her first Zoom gathering with friends in March 2020, Haller remarked, “It was so very pleasant and so important to have a sense of being together that we planned to get together the following Saturday again. I asked everybody to invite somebody.” Presently, Haller's Salons unite not only her close circle but also guest artists, scientists, and media creators from diverse corners of the world, drawing hundreds to gather virtually every Saturday at 2 p.m. (EST). To secure an invitation for upcoming salons please email [email protected].

As Eva Haller: A Work in Progress concludes, audiences are inspired to reflect on their own capacity for kindness and empathy, and to consider the profound impact that each individual can have in building a better world. A friend to The MY HERO Project, Haller exemplifies this ethos through her dedication to empowering women in media. In 2012, she initiated the establishment of The Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award, aimed at inspiring and supporting filmmakers from elementary school to the professional level who create outstanding work featuring women changemakers or addressing women's issues. To find out more about this award and how to enter the MY HERO Film Festival to qualify, visit: /wtm-award.

Eva Haller: A Work in Progress

Director: Jeanne Meyers

Producer: Jeanne Meyers, Anabelle Vo, Skip Blumberg, Xenia Shin, Kitty Richardson

Executive Producer: Rita Stern Milch, Karen Pritzker, Jeanne Meyers

Cast: Eva Haller, Yoel Haller, friends, family and extended family

Cinematographer: Jeanne Meyers, Skip Blumberg, Dylan Sachse, St. George Thompson, Anabelle Vo, Mark Ostrick

Editor: Kitty Richardson, Anabelle Vo, Xenia Shin

Composer: Kitty Richardson, Sasa Adizes