SECOND ANNUAL FILM SERIES FEB/MAR 2026
THE LAST ECSTATIC DAYS
Tues Feb 24th 6-8pm 2026
Ethan Sisser, a young man with terminal brain cancer, sits alone in his hospital room. When he starts livestreaming his death journey on social media, thousands of people around the world join to celebrate his courage. Still, Ethan envisions more – to teach the world how to die without fear. To do that, he needs to film his death. Dir. Scott Kirschenbaum; 2024, 73 min. MORE ABOUT THIS FILM
END GAME
Tues Mar 10th 6-8pm 2026
Filmed and edited in intimate vérité style, this movie follows visionary medical practitioners who are working on the cutting edge of life and death and are dedicated to changing our thinking about both.
Dirs. Rob Epstien, Jeffrey Friedman 2018, 40 min. MORE ABOUT THIS FILM
A FAMILY UNDERTAKING
Tue Mar 24th 6-8pm 2026
What is old is often new again. Most funerals today are part of a multimillion-dollar industry run by professionals. This increased reliance on mortuaries has alienated Americans from life's only inevitability — death. A Family Undertaking explores the growing home funeral movement by following several families in their most intimate moments as they reclaim the end of life, forgoing a typical mortuary funeral to care for their loved ones at home.
Dir. Elizabeth Westrate; PBS 2004, 57 min. MORE
2026 FACILITATORS
Jennifer Knochel, Eco-Chaplain
Jennifer Knochel, Eco-Chaplain
Jennifer Knochel, Eco-Chaplain
2/24/26 The Last Ecstatic Days
Jennifer is a cook, teacher, end of life doula, adventurer, and lover of the earth. She has been
cooking for meditation retreats for 18 years. Her practice of food gathering and food preparing is
rooted in community, love, and care for the earth. She is also trained in Mindfulness Facilitation
through the UCLA M
2/24/26 The Last Ecstatic Days
Jennifer is a cook, teacher, end of life doula, adventurer, and lover of the earth. She has been
cooking for meditation retreats for 18 years. Her practice of food gathering and food preparing is
rooted in community, love, and care for the earth. She is also trained in Mindfulness Facilitation
through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and is an Eco-Chaplain. Jennifer offers
presence and deep listening to support in the cultivation of trusting in oneself and in the unique paths we all walk.
David Araya, MD
Jennifer Knochel, Eco-Chaplain
Jennifer Knochel, Eco-Chaplain
3/10/26 End Game
DAVID ARAYA, MD received his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and was Doctor of the Year, for Mammoth Hospital in 2021. Dr Araya understands the nuances of human fragility as well as human strength, and treats every person he encounters with incredible kindness and respect.
2026 FACILITATORS
BRIDGET SUMSER, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Betsy McDonald, Qigong instructor, End-of-Life Doula, Educator
Betsy McDonald, Qigong instructor, End-of-Life Doula, Educator
2/10/26 End Game
BRIDGET SUMSER, LCSW is a clinical social worker and educator specializing in palliative and end-of-life care with over a decade of experience. She is currently in private practice providing relational therapy and coaching. She serves as a counselor with Mettle Health, an organization co-founded by Dr. BJ Miller offering
2/10/26 End Game
BRIDGET SUMSER, LCSW is a clinical social worker and educator specializing in palliative and end-of-life care with over a decade of experience. She is currently in private practice providing relational therapy and coaching. She serves as a counselor with Mettle Health, an organization co-founded by Dr. BJ Miller offering online palliative care support for patients and families navigating serious illness.
Betsy McDonald, Qigong instructor, End-of-Life Doula, Educator
Betsy McDonald, Qigong instructor, End-of-Life Doula, Educator
Betsy McDonald, Qigong instructor, End-of-Life Doula, Educator
3/24/26 A FAMILY UNDERTAKING
Betsy McDonald is a mother, wife, friend, writer, podcaster, retired public school educator and a Wisdom Healing Qigong Teacher trained @ The Chi Center in New Mexico.
In addition, she is am a Mesa carrier in the Q’ero Shaman tradition of the Peruvian Andes and an End of Life Doula certified by the University o
3/24/26 A FAMILY UNDERTAKING
Betsy McDonald is a mother, wife, friend, writer, podcaster, retired public school educator and a Wisdom Healing Qigong Teacher trained @ The Chi Center in New Mexico.
In addition, she is am a Mesa carrier in the Q’ero Shaman tradition of the Peruvian Andes and an End of Life Doula certified by the University of Vermont Medical School. She blends these trainings and medicines and more in her work with students and clients, creating a unique experience for each person in their healing and end of life journeys.
Live Full - Die Well Film Series invites you on a cinematic journey that will challenge your perspectives, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire you to embrace life with renewed purpose.
LOCATION: C5 Studios, Community Arts Center, 210 S. Warren Street, Bishop, CA
Glimpse below from our first annual film series in 2025
