It seems that everyone claims to be a storyteller these days, but perhaps we should be mindful of the stories we tell – after all\u2026the planet is listening. The Ray of Light Awards (ROLA) Film Festival has landed in Ibiza, illuminating the path with tales of purpose, integrity and wisdom.<\/p>\n
It was a sunny May morning at Salinas. The Earth and the sea on\u00a0\u201cGaia Day\u201d\u00a0were the guiding force and theme at the first edition of the\u00a0much anticipated Ray of Light Awards, held at its\u00a0birthplace, the legendary Hostal La Curandera de Salinas. Even\u00a0at\u00a011.30 am, the heat was intense, with Mother Nature shining her rays of sun, blessing the spirit of Hollywood actor Ray Stevenson (who died in 2023),\u00a0who was proudly shining his ray of light.<\/p>\n
Love, anticipation and excitement tinged with a hint of backstage nerves filled the air – an unmatched frequency that could only be felt at that moment in time. The screening room sign\u00a0stood boldly in front of us, positioned outside the yurt where Elisabetta Caraccia (Betta), wife to Ray and co-founder of Hostal Salinas usually hosts her women’s weekly meditation circles. Just gazing at the chalk written words was inviting and intriguing – what would unfold next?<\/p>\n
After sampling the freshly made watermelon juice, I\u00a0crept\u00a0into the back of the yurt to start viewing the exhibition. Before entering, I paused to admire a striking photo gallery \u201cHollywood Meets Ibiza\u201d a project by photographer Annalisa Flori, portraying artists such as Angelina Jolie and Penelope Cruz, who through their work and fame have decided to take actions for the well-being and growth of humanity. Akin to Betta\u00a0– Anthropologist, Environmental Activist, member of Ibiza Preservation Fund (and a bit like a walking angel).<\/p>\n
ROLA was founded by Betta and Ray Stevenson, who was known for his\u00a0acting\u00a0roles in the acclaimed TV series Rome, Ahsoka: Star Wars, the Thor\u00a0Saga, and drama 1242: Gateway to the West.\u00a0The couple\u00a0envisioned bringing a Hollywood film festival to Ibiza, but, it was never about show business,\u00a0glamour,\u00a0nor fame and fortune \u2013 instead, quite the opposite. The first film was about Afghan refugees\u00a0and what followed was a poignant narrative of courageous women forced to leave their families due to political destruction and violence. The audience were seated on bundles of hay \u2013 far from plastic chairs; Hostal Salinas is\u00a0super-conscious\u00a0about sustainability practices and it\u2019s not just marketing \u2013 it lives and\u00a0breathes by it.<\/p>\n
Next up was a documentary about a region in India with a crisis that needed attention. Children as young as thirteen were being\u00a0illegally\u00a0forced into marriage by their own father. The message was conveyed with such an impact\u00a0by\u00a0producers Dena Hysell-Cornejo and Gil Marsden, that they\u00a0were\u00a0later revealed as the winners\u00a0of the\u00a0\u201cGaia Award\u201d. Tiptoeing slowly out of the emotion-filled screening room, I felt as though I\u2019d been on a journey to broaden my perspective on life. I was distanced from my own trivial thoughts; saddened by the stories shared, felt gratitude\u00a0for the peace, love and sense of freedom we have on Ibiza, and a bit in awe of the fearless producers. The power of film is indeed, the most effective medium for teaching and conveying significant messages\u00a0\u2013 just as Ray Stevenson needed to tell us.<\/p>\n
With beautiful storytelling, soulful live performances and tribal ceremonies \u2013 it was the exclusive inner circle where anyone was welcome. Ray and Betta dreamed of creating not just another general film festival, but one for creators with a positive message for humanity. The winner of the\u00a0\u201cRay Of Light Award\u201d\u00a0would be announced on Saturday\u00a031st\u00a0May\u00a0by actor Luke Evans, in tribute to Ray.<\/p>\n
We listened and learned from a powerful\u00a0panel of speakers led by master of ceremonies Jurgis Didziulis, with his\u00a0chanting and\u00a0poetic pieces that always\u00a0resonate a strong emotional response.\u00a0The talk ranged from the power of femininity, to the challenges faced by artists in the music industry, highlighting how they receive little compensation for even a whopping one million streams on platforms like Spotify.<\/p>\n
Catering was provided by \u201cThe Foreign Embassy\u201d a firm founded by Lorenzo a good friend of Betta\u2019s from Italy and his English business partner. Amidst the exotic guests from the Amazon Rainforest,\u00a0they had travelled from Kent, England the quaint region where I grew up before moving to Ibiza, seven years ago. Bringing a smile to my face and\u00a0a warm\u00a0feeling of\u00a0nostalgia, I tasted the delicious buffet accenting ingredients from Ibiza\u2019s Juntos Farm. The amazing\u00a0regenerative farm won the\u00a0\u201cIbiza Award\u201d for initiatives that enhance community life and environmental protection. The food blessing was a heartfelt prayer made by a member of the \u201cHuni Kuin\u201d indigenous tribe who shelter and heal deep inside the Amazon Rainforest.<\/p>\n
Later on, guests wandered\u00a0about admiring\u00a0the stalls dotted around the garden,\u00a0with\u00a0an array of vendors\u00a0introducing\u00a0their inspiring offerings. Not just dreamers or talkers they are the local artisans and creators who actively bring\u00a0their\u00a0ideas to life. One common thread among them? A genuine care for both people and the planet \u2013\u00a0they\u00a0truly illuminate our future. The Safragell Hotel & Spa in San Lorenzo was the perfect location and beautiful grounds for lunch and the final day of the most meaningful\u00a03-day trilogy festival you could ever attend. Award categories were for adults as well as under 25\u2019s for the \u201cYouth & Next Generation Award\u201d.<\/p>\n
The concluding\u00a0\u201cGrand Finale\u201d\u00a0was staged on Saturday evening at the historic Teatro Pereyra in Ibiza hosted by Nicole Jones, Zahra Harkat and special guest Samantha Vallejo-Nagera, best known for being a judge on Spanish MasterChef. We received a loud and lively welcome from local Chilean band,\u00a0Beset Collective\u00a0who got the crowds wildly shaking their hips in the theatre lobby! A vibration that certainly set the tone for a night of celebration.<\/p>\n
When actor Luke Evans graced the stage, his presence was memorable, his words about his dear friend and \u201cbig brother\u201d were so moving \u2013 I doubt I was the only one to shed a few tears.<\/p>\n
Everybody felt immense joy for Betta and her sons, the candidates and the entire production team. In memory of Ray Stevenson\u2019s legacy and his unwavering belief in the powerful mediums of art, film and music to inspire and provoke change,\u00a0it\u00a0was a night to cherish. The gathering coincided with the 2nd anniversary of Ray\u2019s farewell ceremony on 21st May 2023. All the people involved eagerly await growing this community of kindness for humanity year after year, bringing together essential messages through Ray\u2019s shining light, to raise and shape a better future.<\/p>\n
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