PRESS

ABC Radio (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), "Risking Light: A journey to forgiveness" (July 10, 2018) - Interview with the Director Dawn Mikkelson for The Drawing Room, a segment of RN Drive, a national program that "takes you behind the day’s headlines, with an engaging mix of current affairs, analysis, arts and culture from across Australia and around the world."
Curnblog "Dawn Mikkelson's Risking Light: Forgiveness in Three Parts" (July 9, 2018) - "Mikkelson approaches her film without pretension, following each character with unobtrusive handheld camera work that allows us into their lives, juxtaposed with beautifully crafted straight-to-camera interviews. As a filmmaker, she is not afraid of silence, often allowing the viewer to sit introspectively in the moment and contemplate the riddle at the film’s core. What does it mean to forgive?"
Beat Magazine "Risking Light: a journey through grief, compassion, and forgiveness" (June 27, 2018) - “My hope is that people will see the film and reflect on their own lives,” says Mikkelson. “It’s had that impact on me making it – I haven’t experienced the same things that any one of our storytellers have, but throughout the production of the film I was constantly checking in with myself and questioning, ‘What am I holding onto that is no longer serving me?’”
Curnblog "Ten top picks at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival this July" (June 17, 2018) - "Filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson takes us all over the world in this look at three people who’ve managed to overcome adversity and trauma through the power of forgiveness."
Follow Magazine "Pinpricks in the Blanket of Darkness: Review of Indie Film, Risking Light" (June 7, 2018) - "In a world that proudly wears its hatred and division on its sleeve Risking Light illuminates another side. These stories don't make succinct sound bites. They are deep stories of great feeling. They are stories that leave pinpricks in the blanket of darkness to let shafts of radiance cut through. Every person in this documentary has turned away from despair and hopelessness. Each of them has risked the light."
Screen-Space Film Blog (May 29, 2018) - "Frankly, western society needs more filmmakers like Dawn Mikkelson, and more people like Mary Johnson, Debra Hocking and Kilong Ung. As the world grows darker under leaders determined to segregate and marginalize, the unifying actions of these everyday people as they undertake remarkable journeys of willful forgiveness should make Risking Light required viewing in our halls of power."
We Are Moving Stories (May 2018) - Interview with Director, Dawn Mikkelson. "This film redefines what forgiveness is and why it’s critical in our lives, in a way that is entertaining and moving. This kind of inspiration is necessary in these times when we are easily divided and cloistered in our social media bubbles."
FlixChatter Film Blog - "First half of MSPIFF – Recap + Reviews" (April 21, 2018) - "On top of being substantially profound, this is also a visually-stunning film shot on location in three different continents. Definitely a feast for the eyes and nourishment for the soul."
Almanac - Twin Cities PBS (April 20, 2018) - Mary Johnson and Director Dawn Mikkelson, live in studio.
KARE 11 - "Minneapolis woman's powerful story of forgiveness featured in new film" (April 19, 2018) - "Her persona is one of power and also kindness," said Mikkelson. Mikkelson's film follows three stories about "forgiving the unforgivable," including Johnson's story. "I think that she has a message that has helped so many people even before this film came out," Mikkelson said. "She's been speaking across the country and telling her story and changing lives."
Minnesota Monthly - "Behind the Scenes: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival" (April 12, 2018) - "Rice said that his job is to find films made in Minnesota or by Minnesotan filmmakers. Because of this, three of the films he is most excited about are just that. Rice recommends three films for festival-goers to check out if they are looking for some local flavor: Risking Light, Smitten!, and Virginia Minnesota."
Rise and Thrive Show - "Special Film About Healing Anger, Resentment, and Grief" (April 11, 2018) - "[Risking Light invites all of us to take our worst stories and put them to rest". Podcast with author of "Unconditional Forgiveness" and founder of the Midwest Institute for Forgiveness Training, Mary Hayes Greico.
Minnesota Public Radio News - "For its 37th year, film festival returns with 157 features and dozens of shorts" (Apr 11, 2018) - One of 5 films mentioned by Minnesota Public Radio to see at Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.
Pierce County Herald - "Filming Forgiveness: Hager City filmmaker to show doc at film fest" (Apr 6, 2018).
In Deep Radio with Angie Coiros (March 17, 2018) - Nationally syndicated, one-hour weekly news-talk and interview program, hosted by award-winning Bay Area journalist Angie Coiro. One hour with RISKING LIGHT Director, Dawn Mikkelson.
It's a Question of Balance (March 17, 2018) - Bay Area radio show on KSCO and KOMY hosted by Ruth Copland, balancing the intellectual with the creative. One hour with RISKING LIGHT Director Dawn Mikkelson and Producer Miranda Wilson.
The Mercury News (Bay Area News Group) - "Cinequest 2018 Guide: 10 movies you'll want to catch" - (February 21, 2018) - “During this divisive, hair-trigger period in America, the idea of coming together after being torn apart seems fanciful and elusive. But . . . [the subjects'] lives provide the solace and hope, we need. Dawn Mikkelson's film . . . couldn’t arrive at a more needed time.”
The San Francisco Chronicle - "A sampling of what to see at the Cinequest film fest" - "Here is a list of 10 things worth putting on your calendar . . . The healing power of forgiveness proves to be a universal theme in this emotional documentary about individuals who overcome personal tragedies by channeling their anger and grief into endeavors that make the world a better place."
KQED Arts - "Now Playing! Nicolas Cage Leads the Parade at Cinequest" - (February 26, 2018) - "Empathy, and persistence, are the underlying themes of Risking Light, which receives its world premiere at Cinequest. The documentary treks from Cambodia to Tasmania to Minneapolis to impart the inspiring stories of people who transcended profound loss and persecution to forge healthy, productive lives. Make no mistake, they are mavericks, too."
MovieRanker.com - "An Interview with Dawn Mikkelson, Director of Risking Light" - "We live in an increasingly divisive culture, where our social media feeds are populated by outrage that reinforces our own biases and pain. How do we begin to talk with one another again? How do we move forward from devastating betrayals and traumas of our lives? These are the questions that are at the heart of Risking Light."

During Production

Walker Art Center Blog - "Urgent Cinema: On Trauma, Forgiveness, and Restorative Justice" - Interview with Director for advance excerpt screening at Walker Art Center.
Indie Wire - "Untold Story Crowdfunding Rally Announces Ten Finalists in Documentary Competition"
Pachamama Alliance Press Release - "2011 Possible Future’s Film Contest Winners Announced" - Short film, based on our first interview with Mary and O'shea wins short film contest.