MEETINGTHEBUDDHA

A DOCUMENTARY BY MÁRTA GYÖRGY KESSLER

The story of how timeless wisdom found its way into contemporary life through the bond between teacher and student

The Beautiful Truth Production Company logoproduction

Berlin Film Festival award laurel - winner
Chicago Film Festival award laurel - winner
Cine Paris Film Festival award laurel - winner
Indie Fest Film Awards award laurel - winner
Impact Docs Awards award laurel - winner
Royal Star Film Festival award laurel - selection
Los Angeles Independent Women Film Awards award laurel - winner
Montreal Film Festival award laurel - nominee
Replay Film Festival award laurel - nominee
Southeast Asia International Film Festival award laurel - nominee
Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival award laurel - selection
Replay International Film Festival award laurel - selection
Los Angeles Cinema Festival award laurel - selection
Awareness Festival award laurel - selection

About the film

Meeting the Buddha presents the life and legacy of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje—the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, one of four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The film captures the remarkable presence of this spiritual teacher, known as a Living Buddha and the King of the Yogis.

We meet Ole Nydahl, a wild young hippy from Denmark who, as a small child, had declared his wish to become the "Danish champion of mind." His life is radically transformed by a chance encounter with the Karmapa in Nepal in 1969.

Ole and his wife, Hannah, become key figures in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West, founding hundreds of meditation centres—from Mexico City to Vladivostok—and carrying forward their teacher's vision with unshakable dedication.

Amid political upheaval in Tibet and cultural transformation in the West, Meeting the Buddha tells the richly historical yet deeply personal story of how timeless wisdom found its way into contemporary life. Through interviews, animation, and never-before-seen footage, this documentary honours the profound bond between teacher and student that sustains the living transmission of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

A journey beyond borders and lifetimes, unveiling the unbreakable bond between teacher and disciple, and the living transmission of Tibetan Buddhism to the West.

Watch the Trailer

Experience the profound journey of wisdom and transformation. Get a glimpse into the world of Meeting the Buddha.

Play Trailer

2:44 minutes

Ready to experience the full journey? Join us for a screening or learn more about the film.

The Filmmakers

Meet the creative minds behind this documentary.

Marta György-Kessler, Producer & Director & Writer - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Marta György-Kessler

Producer & Director & Writer
Jigme Rinpoche, Story Consultant - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Jigme Rinpoche

Story Consultant
Adam Penny, Co-Producer & Writer - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Adam Penny

Co-Producer & Writer
Julianne Ferenczy, Co-Producer - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Julianne Ferenczy

Co-Producer
Ash Jenkins, Editor - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Ash Jenkins

Editor
Tobias Doerr, Writer - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Tobias Doerr

Writer
CUB Animation, Animation & Visual Effects - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

CUB Animation

Animation & Visual Effects
Simon Ravn, Composer - Meeting the Buddha documentary filmmaker

Simon Ravn

Composer

Screenings & Events

Join us for special screenings, premieres, and community events around the world

UpcomingBulgarian Screening

Sofia - Official Premiere

Premiere of the film "Meet the Buddha" followed by a short Q&A session with director Marta Kessler.

February 17., 2026
7:00 PM
Sofia, Bulgaria
📍Odeon cinema, 1 Patriarch Evtimii Blvd.
UpcomingBulgarian Screening

Plovdiv Screening

Screening of the film "To Meet the Buddha" in Plovdiv.

February 22., 2026
6:00 PM
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
📍LUCKY Cinema House, 1 William Gladstone St.
UpcomingUS Screening

Minneapolis Screening

Join us for a special screening at the Minneapolis Central Library.

February 22., 2026
1:00 PM
Minneapolis, MN
📍Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall
UpcomingBulgarian Screening

Varna Screening

Screening of the film "To Meet the Buddha" in Varna.

February 25., 2026
6:30 PM
Varna, Bulgaria
📍Festival and Congress Center, 2-6 Slivnitsa Blvd., Hall 5 and Hall 6
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Perth Screening

Join us for a special screening in Perth.

February 26., 2026
6:30 PM
Perth, Australia
📍Events Cinemas, Innaloo
UpcomingBulgarian Screening

Ruse Screening

Screening of the film "Meeting Buddha" in Ruse.

February 27., 2026
7:00 PM
Ruse, Bulgaria
📍Fabrika Kultura, Ruse, 28 Aleksandrovska Street
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Melbourne Screening

Join us for a special screening in Melbourne.

March 3., 2026
6:00 PM
Melbourne, Australia
📍Eclipse Cinema, Collingwood
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Albury Screening

Join us for a special screening in Albury.

March 4., 2026
6:00 PM
Albury, Australia
📍Regent Cinemas
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Canberra Screening

Join us for a special screening in Canberra.

March 4., 2026
6:30 PM
Canberra, Australia
📍Palace Electric Cinemas
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Sydney Screening

Join us for a special screening in Sydney.

March 7., 2026
1:00 PM
Sydney, Australia
📍Palace Moore Park
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Newcastle Screening

Join us for a special screening in Newcastle.

March 9., 2026
6:30 PM
Newcastle, Australia
📍Events Kotara
UpcomingAustralia Screening

Byron Bay Screening

Join us for a special screening in Byron Bay.

March 16., 2026
6:30 PM
Byron Bay, Australia
📍Palace Byron Bay
CompletedUS Screening

Santa Fe Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Santa Fe.

January 31., 2026
2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Santa Fe, NM
📍Violet Crown Santa Fe
CompletedMexico Screening

Oaxaca Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Oaxaca.

December 1., 2025
7:00 PM
Oaxaca, Mexico
📍Cinemex Plaza del Valle
CompletedMexico Screening

Cancún Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Cancún.

November 30., 2025
6:00 PM
Cancún, Mexico
📍Cinemex La Isla
CompletedMexico Screening

Metepec Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Metepec.

November 30., 2025
6:00 PM
Metepec, Mexico
📍Cinemex Town Square
CompletedMexico Screening

Cancún Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Cancún.

November 29., 2025
7:00 PM
Cancún, Mexico
📍Cinemex La Isla
CompletedMexico Screening

Monterrey Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in Monterrey.

November 28., 2025
7:00 PM
Monterrey, Mexico
📍Cinemex Pabellón M
CompletedMexico Screening

México City Screening

Join us for a special theatrical screening in México City.

November 27., 2025
8:00 PM
México City, Mexico
📍Cinemex Cuauhtémoc
CompletedFestival Screening

Silk Road Festival

Meeting the Buddha was screened at the Silk Road Festival in Dublin.

November 22., 2025
6:35 PM
Dublin, Ireland
📍United Arts Club Dublin, Room 1
CompletedFestival Screening

Awareness Festival

We are delighted to announce the Los Angeles Premiere of Meeting the Buddha at the Laemmle Monica Theater in Santa Monica.

October 26., 2025
10:00 AM
Los Angeles, CA
📍Laemmle Monica Theater
CompletedFestival Screening

Royal Starr Film Festival

We are delighted to announce the World Premiere of Meeting the Buddha 🎬 at the Royal Starr Film Festival!

September 13., 2025
3:00 PM
Michigan
📍Birmingham Theatre

Want to Host a Screening?

Interested in organizing a community screening or special event? We'd love to bring "Meeting the Buddha" to your venue, organization, or film festival.