2nd Annual Sunflower Film Festival
June 19–22, 2025 | The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw, Michigan
Event Schedule Here
Passes are now available for the second annual Sunflower Film Festival! The celebration brings together filmmakers, artists, and audiences to foster conversations around mental health awareness and resilience through the power of storytelling.
Taking place from June 19–22, 2025, at The Lucky Wolf, the event honors the life and legacy of India Deibler-Love, whose spirit continues to inspire the event and the work of the India Love Sunflower Foundation. The festival is the foundation’s flagship event, using the power of storytelling to shine a light on mental health while raising critical funds to sustain the foundation’s mission-driven initiatives.
Expect a vibrant lineup of independent films, interactive panels, and opportunities for meaningful connection. Through stories that elevate mental health awareness and foster empathy, we’re creating a safe space for conversations that remind us that even in life’s hardest seasons, art and community can help us grow toward the sun.
Like the sunflowers that inspire us, the festival shines a light on the strength and resilience within each of us. Save the date to join us in creating something beautiful.
Full Festival Pass - $30 General, $15 Students/Seniors
Single Day Passes - $10 General, $5 Students/Seniors
…I imagine the long
climb out of the dark
beyond morning glories, day lilies, four o’clocks
up there to the dream she keeps
lifting, where it’s noon all day.
{excerpted from “Sunflower” by Frank Steele}
Sunflowers are hyperaccumulators, plants that have adapted to thrive in environments with high concentrations of toxic materials.
Movies are empathy-building machines. They put the marginalized and the powerless at the center of our consciousness in a way that few other things can. As manifestations of the audacious human reach for community, acceptance, and knowledge, they can make the silent loud and the invisible indelible. In collaboration with the India Love Sunflower Foundation, the Sunflower Film Festival honors the life of India Summer Deibler-Love, who struggled silently with trauma until it was too painful to hold anymore.
We all deal with grief and mental challenges differently. Some of us like drama, some like to sing, some like to laugh our feelings out. However you deal with yours, we are a safe space to exhibit and share.
Organizers
Ralph Rivera - Ralph has spearheaded events and operations for renowned organizations, including the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, as well as the Slamdance Film Festival and LA Film Fest in Los Angeles, CA. His extensive career includes roles at Film Independent, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and The Walt Disney Company.
America Young - America Young is working in Film, TV and Video Games, as a Director. She has directed 17 episodes of Network TV and Premium Streaming TV, two features and Video Game Cinematics to name a few. She is one of the founders of the Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood and The Catalina Film Festival on Catalina Island.
Jacob Luckey - Jacob manages bookings for The Lucky Wolf and has an extensive history in the music industry.
Jason Deibler-Love - Founder of India Love Sunflower Foundation and the Sunflower Film Festival, Jason has worked as a producer, musician, artist, entrepreneur, and many other positions within the hospitality and film & music industries.