'Happy', The Movie, by Academy-Award Nominated Roko Belic, Post-Discussion with Michael Pritchard

What really makes people happy? Explore this often elusive emotion with the film screening of Happy, the movie by Academy Award Nominated and Sundance-Audience Award-Winning director Roko Belic, presented by The Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts at the Osher Marin JCC. Combining powerful interviews with leading scientists who research happiness and real life stories from ordinary and extraordinary people across 14 countries (such as Robert Diener, Matthieu Ricard, the Dalai Lama), Happy unravels the secrets behind our most valued emotion. Following the screening, guests will be treated to a discussion with Belic and special guest Michael Pritchard, award-winning advocate and keynote speaker who has worked with children and teenagers nationwide to promote healthy attitudes, kindness and nonviolence.

WHO: All are invited. (Due to emotional nature of this film, which also explores emotions such as sorrow and grief, recommended for children 12+.)

WHERE: Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. General Admission: $10. Tickets are available online at www.marinjcc.org or by calling 415-444-8000.

WHEN: Hoytt Theater at Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael

About Roko Belic
In 1996, Roko Belic founded the film production company Wadi Rum with his brother Adrian. His directorial debut was Genghis Blues (1999), nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature and it won the Sundance Audience Award. Belic has worked in numerous capacities during his career including director of photography, editor, writer, producer and director. He recently directed a 44-minute documentary called Dreams: Cinema of the Subconscious to be released on the Blue-Ray disc of the feature film Inception. Belic’s upcoming feature project, Twilight Men, tells the story of an American seeker and Indian holy man who journey into the Himalayas in search of an enlightened master. See more about his other latest project, Happy, the movie, at http://www.thehappymovie.com.

About Michael Pritchard
Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences on communication skills. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, “truly walks as he talks.” He began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, Michael Pritchard won first place in the San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year. Learn more about Pritchard at http://www.michaelpritchard.com.

About the Osher Marin JCC
The Osher Marin JCC is the community center of Marin County. Epitomizing the essence of Marin, with a range of authentic cultural experiences enjoyed by many generations, the Osher Marin JCC offers award-winning facilities, abundant physical and educational activities and world-class programming relevant to our entire community today. Since the Osher Marin JCC’s founding in 1947, the center has become recognizable for its rich history of Jewish traditions and values with an unparalleled all-inclusive community spirit. For more information about the Osher Marin JCC, please visit http://www.marinjcc.org.