Elder Wisdom Circle

IN DEVELOPMENT: A deep appreciation for our common experiences and our shared humanity is often what teaches us the most about how to live out our lives with grace and courage – and ultimately what gives us a sense of fulfillment. Elder Wisdom Circle is a 30-minute documentary film about a group of elderly men and women tucked away in the far corners of America who know a thing or two about this. This network of elders from varied backgrounds and worldviews gather on a weekly basis in their respective senior housing communities to read letters they’ve received from people all around the country who are looking for guidance through a particularly troubling and/or life-defining moment in their lives.

The film will employ a very unique visual approach combining imaginative, hand-illustrated animation like that of the Oscar-nominated animated short I Met the Walrus with beautiful and cinematic live-action documentary footage. Animation will be used to illustrate the stories of the past like they’re tales from another world, while live-action footage will be used to tell the stories of the present.

Elder Wisdom Circle will not only tell the stories of the lives changed by this unique volunteer group but also the unique stories of the Elders themselves. These letters remind the Elders of their lives outside of their senior homes and encourage them to live bravely and courageously in their old age. It has taught them that with old age can come new experiences and new discoveries, and that it’s not over until it’s over. Elder Wisdom Circle is about the power of giving back and the ripple effect that takes place in the lives of everyone involved.