October 2-5
original thinkers festival 2025
explore telluride with OT
Thought-provoking Films | Unforgettable Speakers | Indelible Art | Singular Performances | Adventures of the Soul
More programming to come
the films
Counted out
So much of our world these days is controlled by algorithms, making our relationship with math more important than ever. Counted Out delves into this phenomenon by weaving several compelling personal narratives with a cogent explanation of how numbers impact our everyday lives in a myriad of ways we see and don’t see. Director Vicki Abeles has stitched together an eye-opening and unexpectedly human story that shows us how we need to make sure our math literacy is strong enough to navigate a rapidly changing world.
TO BE DESTROYED
Book banning has become prevalent across the country in politically conservative areas, evoking totalitarian societies who fear the ideas offered in books. This smart short documentary focused on Rapid City, South Dakota and its school district where five novels were taken off library shelves and put in boxes, labeled “to be destroyed". One of those books is The Circle by acclaimed novelist Dave Eggers who decides to go to Rapid City to talk with librarians who are now in the cross-hairs of angry parents as well as with the students who are just trying to get through high school.
STORY AND PICTURES BY
Who doesn’t remember Goodnight Moon with fondness and familiarity? Or Hungry Caterpillar or any number of other wonderful and evocative picture books? This charming and entertaining feature documentary tells the fascinating story of these magical creations while profiling current authors in this unusual field who want to help children understand some of the mysteries of the world. What the film also accomplishes is a deeper understanding of how important this work is in helping young children see themselves and understand their own identity as they are emerging into a bigger world.
THE CRANES CALL
This gripping film is a true crime thriller that follows the indefatigable efforts of two incredibly brave women who work for the Clooney Foundation for Justice as they work to track down Ukrainian survivors who endured horrific acts of violence committed by Russian forces during their invasion. It is hard - almost impossible - work, yet the investigators are deeply determined to hold the men who raped, tortured and murdered so many innocent civilians to justice. By documenting these human rights abuses and war crimes now, the process begins of making sure the perpetrators pay for their heinous acts. Worth noting in this compelling story is the filmmaking itself, beautifully cinematic in a way that you cannot look away from what you are watching.
An Extraordinary Place
Telluride has its own legendary radio station in KOTO so the story of a quirky radio station in Maine and its eccentric DJs will resonate. In a world where we can listen to almost any song from our phone, this film shows how curation matters as does personality and taste. The film will screen as part of Show 5 after musician/mathematician Pete Muller performs and before King Raam’s one-man show.
JOIN OR DIE
In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.
Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?
the activities
Tea Ceremony with Living Tea, Colin Hudon
Living Tea offers a gateway to the art of ritualistic tea, providing an accessible journey into the profound connection between tea and self-discovery. Rooted in the 5-element seasonal principles of nature, our offerings guide you toward personal transformation and deeper self-understanding. Through inspired and committed practice, we equip you with the teas, tools, and wisdom to cultivate a lifelong love affair with Tea and Mother Earth, fostering harmony
Tea & Tarot with Jade Rose
Tea Ceremony is a perfect elemental art. Silently, we drink tea from ancient trees grown in reverence. In this special space we give the water, fire and tea leaves a chance to communicate with us in their subtle and silent tongue. Old-growth trees have been taking in sunlight, rainwater and starlight for hundreds of years. Drinking tea from their leaves in a ceremonial space allows us access parts of our heart which we usually cannot reach.
This practice pairs perfectly with tarot. After the tea ceremony we draw cards for the entire group and then for the individuals present who want personal readings.
Tarot card reading is like looking at oneself through the clarifying reflection of an intuitive friend. In these sessions, you are invited to participate as Jade interprets the tarot cards you draw from their deck. Tarot is not about reading the future or divining destiny. The cards are a set of elemental archetypes so ancient and true that we find ourselves magnetized to those that speak to our present situation.
Jade has been a student of tarot for over twenty years. She is the author of three books on the subject. She has been teaching meditation since she was eighteen. She has found tea ceremony to be one of the most profound and yet easy-to-enter methods of meditation. The tea leaves allow us to quickly drop into a deep heart space of openness and radical truth.
Ecstatic Dance with Jennifer Turner
Ecstatic Dance is an immersive experience of movement, freedom of expression, and fun that has the potential of opening you to a state of flow and feeling that allows for a journey of reconnection back to yourself. Dance is our birthright and the universal language of the soul. Whether you’re a dancing queen/king or think you have two left feet, this experience is for you. So put on something comfy, kick off your shoes, and we will see you on the dance floor.
Ecstatic Dance Guidelines
We dance barefoot. This allows us to connect more fully with the ground. Socks are OK.
We dance without words. We dance with body language. This makes it easier to be in a meditative flow state. No talking on the dance floor.
We dance as we are. No alcohol. No phones, photography, or video. No expectations or judgements. Just be yourself with respect for ourselves, the space, and one another.
Women’s Circle
The women's circle allows all female-identifying women to connect with each other in a safe space and discuss what's on their minds. It’s a gathering of women by women, with time for self-reflection and sharing.
Actualized Movement with Michael Henze
Join Michael Henze, Actualized Movement Studio's founder and lead instructor, for a private Original Thinkers fitness class. Actualized Movement's classes draw inspiration from dance, weightlifting, strength & conditioning, HIIT, plyometrics, aerobics, and Pilates. Expect to move to the music utilizing hand weights, ankle weights, resistance bands and gliders. Accessible to all levels, but expect to move and groove non-stop!
the sponsors
