Emmy-award-winning documentary filmmaker, Martin Doblmeier, will speak Jan. 5 and 6 on the campus of Walla Walla University and on Jan. 7 in Richland, Washington.
Doblmeier is founder and president of Journey Films, a film and television production company specializing in religion, faith, and spirituality. Journey has produced more than 30 documentary films that have aired on PBS, ABC, NBC, the BBC, and on broadcast outlets around the world.
Early films by Journey featured the faith communities of Taize and L’Arche. Biographical documentaries by Journey include profiles on Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago, on German theologian and Nazi resister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and on the architect of the Catholic Church’s Vatican II—Cardinal Suenens.
Journey’s first theatrical release, “BONHOEFFER,” opened in 2003 to critical acclaim. It premiered on PBS in 2006. In the spring of 2007, public television aired “ALBERT SCHWEITZER: Called to Africa,” a docu-drama that won the prestigious Gabriel Award. To date, Journey has won six Gabriel Awards.
In 2007 Journey released “The Power of Forgiveness,” a film that won the Sun Valley Film Festival and the International Film and Video Festival.
“Washington National Cathedral: A New Century, A New Calling” began airing on PBS stations in 2009 and won a regional Emmy Award for best cultural documentary. “The ADVENTISTS” was released in spring of 2010 to PBS stations, became an Amazon best-selling documentary, and is one of three documentaries produced by Journey about the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Doblmeier holds degrees in religious studies and broadcast journalism and honorary degrees in fine arts and humane letters. Since 1984 he has produced and directed more than 30 films and has traveled to more than 40 countries to profile religious leaders, spiritual communities, heads of state, and Nobel Laureates. His films explore how belief can lead individuals to extraordinary acts, how spirituality creates and sustains communities, and how faith is lived in extraordinary ways.
Speaking engagements
Doblmeier’s speaking engagements in College Place and Richland include:
• Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m.—A presentation for CommUnity service at WWU in the University Church at 212 SW Fourth Street in College Place.
• Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m.—A showing of the film “The BLUEPRINT: The Story of Adventist Education” in the Walla Walla Valley Academy Auditorium, 300 SW Academy Way in College Place. “The BLUEPRINT” explores how Seventh-day Adventists created one of the most unique school systems in America.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m.—A colloquium sponsored by the WWU Center for Media Ministry titled “Integrating One's Faith with the Creative Arts” in the WWU Chan Shun Pavilion, room 154, 100 SW Fourth Street in College Place.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.—A showing of the film “The Power of Forgiveness” in the WWU Fine Arts Center Auditorium at 200 S. College Avenue in College Place followed by a discussion with Doblmeier and Darold Bigger, WWU professor of religion and social work, and author of “A Time to Forgive.”
• Thursday, Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.—A showing of the film “CHAPLAINS” at Bethel Church in The Gallery at 600 Shockley Road in Richland followed by a discussion with Doblmeier. “CHAPLAINS,” which profiles chaplains from different faith traditions who are working in various professional settings, is currently airing on PBS stations.
• Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.—A second showing of “The Power of Forgiveness” at Bethel Church in The Gallery at 600 Shockley Road in Richland followed by a discussion with Doblmeier and Bigger.
Posted Dec. 18, 2015