Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) was a Zen master in the Vietnamese tradition, scholar, poet, and peace activist. He founded the Van Hanh Buddhist University in Saigon and taught at Columbia University and the Sorbonne. Thich Nhat Hanh is the author of the national bestseller Living Buddha, Living Christ and more than 60 other books. He was nominated for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr.

Marc J. Francis is a director, producer, and cinematographer whose documentary films have won worldwide critical acclaim and have been distributed across cinemas, television, and streaming platforms. He was chosen by Harper’s BAZAAR magazine as one of their top “Household Names of the Future” and named by the Observer as one of Britain’s “Rising Stars.”
 
As a storyteller and seeker of wisdom, Marc shines a light on the human condition by exploring the extraordinary stories of marginalized characters and unsung heroes in his signature immersive and intimate style. His films include the critically acclaimed Black Gold, which follows the campaigning efforts of an Ethiopian coffee union leader and is credited with propelling the Fair Trade movement; Walk With Me, which journeys into the monastery of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch; and an upcoming documentary featuring Elizabeth Gilbert and her deceased partner Rayya Elias during their final months together, which offers profound insight into what it means to grieve and live life fully.

Author photo © JGRFletcher2021