Every Friday I get a Featured Film delivered right to my inbox. It's been an “easy” way for me to Heal-PTSD by feeling connected to others in a non-threatening manner. Which is what the UnLonely Project is all about!

WATCH. DO. SHARE. This Third Annual UnLonely Film Festival offers over 35 short films that will inspire, enlighten, elevate, and inform you. Their goal is to provide a sense of “connectedness” through creative expression between you, the filmmaker, and others viewing the films. This is a core principle of their work at The UnLonely Project.

(excerpt from their website) “This is an Interactive FilmFest! When you visit each film’s page, you’ll also find a 60-90 second “Behind the Camera” video that we hope you’ll check out after seeing the film. In it we share with you why we selected the film and some questions you might consider as you think back on the story. We also encourage you to let us know your thoughts in the comment section of each page. Thanks again for visiting our Film Festival and we hope what you discover you’ll share with a friend.  After all, connecting with others through creativity expression is what our UnLonely community is all about.”

This past Friday’s Film: In The Swimming Club, a community of trans and gender non-conforming folks find an affirming, welcoming space to love and feel proud of their bodies.

For this swap

I will simply forward this Friday-Film EMAIL to every participant, so you too can watch The Swimming Club.

Once you’ve watched the short film, leave a confirmation in the comment section below. This is how you will receive your 5-rating!

I ALSO encourage you to:

1.Do the creative deep dive they mention (see below), and 2. SHARE the film with another person who can benefit.

DIVE EVEN DEEPER To connect further with the film’s story… Create a colorscape to represent the feelings and sights of being safe in the water. * With whatever coloring tools you have available—crayons, paints, markers, pastels, etc.—layer colors onto a blank piece of paper to capture your experience of feeling at peace with yourself in water. Consider how you apply the color as a form of expression as well: Long, slow strokes vs. quick, short strokes communicate different things. Try to imagine yourself in the water as you work on this. Post the finished project somewhere prominent as a reminder to spend more peaceful moments in the water. * If you don’t have any art supplies for adding color, then use words to capture the essence. Free write about a positive experience you had in the water. Try to use evocative words that communicate the feelings you are trying to express as well as the sensation of being in water. 

I welcome and encourage every participant to take the creative connection JUST one step further, by sharing. This is where the “swap” part really comes into play!

Whether you choose to email or snail-mail the film info OR your deep-dive-artwork with your partner, or me, PLEASE SHARE in some way! By sharing, you will provide others with an opportunity to acknowledge YOU and “see” from your point-of-view. I look forward to this part the MOST because I’m eager to learn! I love to learn about others who either feel like I do, and/or can open my eyes to another way of feeling. Because I truly believe that the ARTS HEAL & can connect us, if we allow them to.

Thank you for watching!!!