The Topanga Film Festival (TFF) announces its opening night film, the world premiere of THE HIGHEST PASS directed by Slamdance co-founder Jon Fitzgerald. The film was written by Adam Schomer and produced by Schomer and Fitzgerald
“We’re thrilled to be opening the 7th Annual Topanga Film Festival with the world premiere of a new, visionary, transformational renegade film by visionary, transformational renegade filmmakers,†said TFF Program Director Thom Jordan. “With stunning views of the Indian mountains, soul-binding ethereal music, and a story that will have a lasting effect on every viewer, THE HIGHEST PASS, sets the stage for a phenomenal line-up of original entertainment assembled for this year’s festival.â€
Starting in Rishikesh, the birthplace of Yoga, this documentar
y takes us on a motorcycle journey through the Himalayas of India and over the highest ‘motorable’ road in the world, following a dare devil yogi that leads seven Americans to make decisions about life and death while traversing steep, icy cliffs and the chaos of India’s “road killer†traffic.
Carrying a prophecy of death in his late twenties, their Yogi leader Anand inspires us to question what it means to truly live and pushes them to the limits of his teachings: “Only the one who dies, truly lives†. Adam is forced to question: Is truly living worth dying for?
Thanks to the wisdom of their yogi leader, the power of nature, and the pure spirituality of India, Adam and the riders learn that transformation gained from expanding their awareness is much more important than achievin
g their initial goal of crossing the Highest Pass on motorcycles.
In the same spirit of learning through expanded awareness, The 7th Annual TFF is working with, CINECAUSE, a Foundation that combines traditional and new platforms to provide film fans with engaging cultural cinema and related news content while connecting them to worthy causes. “Audiences are increasingly turning towards socially relevant films that inspire them in their lives and connect them to peoples, cultures and causes,†explains Jon Fitzgerald.
“With TFF supporting this type of programming, and an interest in providing avenue for audiences to take action, they are the ideal partner to kick off this exciting new platform.â€
THE HIGHEST PASS is a natural fit, being a culturally relevant film that connects to a charity. All proceeds will go to towards The Khushi Foundation, and their efforts to provide continuing education and food to the children of Rishikesh, India.
The Topanga Film Festival (TFF) is dedicated to empowering, informing and interconnecting all generations of storytellers who wish to pioneer a new era of global trans-format content. TFF endeavors to promote culture, community, and collaboration through the creative process of storytelling. Good stories have an emotional and educational impact. We thrive on providing outreach that inspires change.
For more information: www.topangafilmfestival.com
