In a cinematic season marked by a collective yearning for hope and healing, two powerful documentaries are capturing the hearts and imaginations of audiences across North America. Both films, though distinct in style and scope, share a central message: compassion and kindness have the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities.
On October 16, 2025, the much-anticipated coast-to-coast experiential screening event for Wisdom of Happiness will unfold across more than 120 theaters in the United States and Canada. According to EIN Presswire, this unique event will feature a live panel discussion moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Ann Curry, with executive producer and celebrated actor Richard Gere, New York Times best-selling author and spiritual leader Gabby Bernstein, and youth climate activist Jerome Foster II joining the conversation. The event, simulcast via the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition (DCDC Network), invites audiences into a shared experience—one that’s both cinematic and deeply personal.
Following the nationwide event, Wisdom of Happiness will open theatrically on October 17 at New York’s QUAD Cinema, with a broader North American rollout to follow. The film, directed by Barbara Miller and Philip Delaquis, and executive produced by Gere alongside Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Oren Moverman, is already making waves on the international circuit. It’s qualified for the Best Documentary category at the 98th Academy Awards and has garnered acclaim in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Greece, and Spain.
“Having audiences across North America watch together and then share in a live conversation about compassion feels like the truest extension of the Dalai Lama’s work,” Richard Gere remarked, as reported by EIN Presswire. “Barbara and Philip’s film reminds us that happiness begins with compassion, and compassion begins with a basic warm heart…kindness.”
In the days leading up to the coast-to-coast event, New York City is set to become a focal point for the film’s message. On October 11, the Museum of the Moving Image will host a private screening and Q&A for the pan-Himalayan community, fostering dialogue and connection among those most closely linked to the Dalai Lama’s heritage. Later that evening, 92NY will present Wisdom of Happiness, followed by an in-depth conversation with Gere as part of their “Reel Pieces with Annette Insdorf” film-talk series. These presentations are designed to amplify the film’s impact ahead of its theatrical run.
Karol Martesko-Fenster, CEO and owner of Abramorama, the film’s distributor, emphasized the timeliness of the project: “This beautiful and timely film delivers a message we urgently need to hear. We’re honored to bring this experience to theaters nationwide and to launch a theatrical run across the nation that we believe will resonate deeply throughout awards season and beyond.”
At its core, Wisdom of Happiness is a journey into the life and teachings of the 14th Dalai Lama, the world’s most prominent ambassador of compassion. With cinematography by long-time Dalai Lama documentarian Manuel Bauer, the film blends unprecedented access, powerful visuals, and never-before-seen archival material to create what the producers describe as a "once-in-a-lifetime personal audience" with the Tibetan spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama’s message is simple yet profound: happiness is rooted in compassion, and true compassion begins with a warm heart.
The film also delves into broader issues, drawing connections between compassion and some of today’s most urgent challenges—politics, globalization, the climate crisis, and the importance of women in leadership positions. The Dalai Lama, whose life has been devoted to non-violent revolution and cross-cultural understanding, offers viewers practical steps for developing their own consciousness and extending kindness beyond political or cultural lines. As the Dalai Lama shares in the film, “Our awareness can unfold tremendous power through the single most important sentiment: profound compassion for all living beings.”
While Wisdom of Happiness invites audiences to contemplate the global impact of compassion, another documentary—Case for Kindness—is making a compelling argument that kindness can change lives in tangible, everyday ways. As reported by KTLA’s Off the Clock segment on October 9, 2025, director Steven Sawalich’s film features an array of famous faces, including Lady Gaga, Ben Affleck, and the Dalai Lama, alongside ordinary individuals whose acts of kindness have sparked extraordinary outcomes.
Case for Kindness, now available for streaming on Amazon Prime, explores how small acts of compassion can have significant effects on both mental and physical health. The documentary highlights scientific research linking kindness to reduced stress and stronger communities, but it’s the real-world stories that truly resonate. Among them is the inspiring tale of an Anaheim school program that motivated students to complete one million acts of kindness, demonstrating the ripple effect that starts with a single good deed.
Another powerful story featured in the film centers on musician Daryl Davis, who managed to help nearly 200 members leave the Ku Klux Klan—not through confrontation, but through honest conversation and understanding. Davis’s approach underscores a central thesis of the film: that empathy and dialogue can break down even the most entrenched barriers of hatred and prejudice.
Director Steven Sawalich, speaking on KTLA, emphasized the film’s universal message: “Small acts of compassion can have a big impact.” The documentary’s blend of celebrity insight and grassroots activism aims to inspire viewers to look for opportunities to be kind in their own lives, reinforcing the idea that anyone, anywhere, can make a difference.
Together, Wisdom of Happiness and Case for Kindness are more than just films—they’re catalysts for a broader movement. By showcasing both the philosophical underpinnings and the practical outcomes of compassion and kindness, these documentaries challenge viewers to reconsider what it means to be happy, and how the simplest gestures can reverberate far beyond their point of origin.
As the awards season approaches and theaters fill with audiences seeking meaning and connection, the timing of these releases feels almost serendipitous. Whether it’s through the wisdom of the Dalai Lama or the everyday acts of kindness highlighted by Sawalich, one thing is clear: in an age often defined by division and discord, the call for compassion is resonating louder than ever.
For those looking to join the conversation, Wisdom of Happiness opens in theaters beginning October 17, following its special coast-to-coast event. Case for Kindness is available now on Amazon Prime, inviting viewers everywhere to witness the quiet power of a kind word, a listening ear, or a warm heart.
