Hi gang, guess what? It’s my birthday today and I am taking the day off from the blog. But who shows up with important matters to share but Annie O’Neil. Annie is an old time Caminohead with lots of credentials, so listen up!

Hi everybody, Annie here! I asked Phil if I could write something to let everyone know where we are with the film and he graciously agreed. It is hard to step in, knowing that you all — we all — come to hear his words of wisdom, his words of contemplation, his words of silliness, and to just walk together. Please forgive me for butting in like this. I just wanted to let you know that the film “Phil’s Camino” is coming right along, and the end is in sight! It looks like we will be going into the post production facility in January to finish the film by doing the color correcting and sound mixing. This is almost as exciting as walking into Santiago!

I have set up a new Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise the $17,000 it will cost to finish the film. I know that so many of you have given generously in the past. Thank you. If you feel so moved, take a look at the site, and see if this is something that you would like to share with some friends. It is very powerful to share it on Facebook, or in an email, writing about how you have supported this film in the past, and that they may want to, as well. For those who are looking for tax deductions as the year winds to an end, I now have a fiscal sponsor, so all donations are now tax deductible!

I hope you can see some photos from the Oakland sneak peek preview, where Phil’s Camino was shown on a big screen for the very first time. Wow! I can’t wait til we can all watch it on the big screen together. It is impressive, and oh so heartwarming.

I recently had lunch with Dan Bern, the talented singer-songwriter who wrote the song “Come and Walk, Walk with Me” for the film. He reminded me of one of the reasons why I wanted to make this film in the first place: this film is a beacon of light. We are living in some tough times. Even bleak times, when we hear of the tragedies at a holiday party in San Bernadino, in a church in North Carolina, in Paris. It can feel overwhelming. How do we fight these seemingly dark forces? Well, one way might be by affirming life. Affirming the light in the face of the dark. Dan told me that he was so very happy to be part of such a life affirming project. So many of you have already become part of this life affirming project, and I hope that you, too, will remember that as we make our way through these troubling times. We are doing our part! We are affirming life! We are spreading Phil’s incredible spirit and goodness, and it makes a difference. I can tell you firsthand from watching people see the rough cut, and from hearing what they have to say afterwards. Wow! If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at http://igg.me/at/philscamino2015

Thank you so much for letting me write this today. Felipe will be right back with his inimitable musings on life, love, and all things Camino! Buen Camino everyone! I am so happy we are walking together!

Annie O Neil
Producer/Director: Phil’s Camino www.philscamino.com

Co-producer and Pilgrim: Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago www.caminodocumentary.org

Author: Everyday Camino with Annie www.everydaycaminowithannie.com

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