As a storyteller on a mission, one of the greatest impacts your short films can have is to overcome divisiveness and bring people together.

Director Mickey Lemle achieved this impressively in his feature documentary, The Last Dalai Lama?, which was screened recently at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

It’s a must-watch, uplifting film on a mission. Not only is Lemle’s character an embodiment of establishing common humanity beyond polarization, which he captured beautifully in the documentary, but the filmmaker uses a brilliant storytelling technique to subtly and then surprisingly engage the audience in a transformation on the spot — from polarization to open warm-heartedness. He took a poll of his packed audience to see who had experienced it, and the answer was pretty much unanimous.

I can’t say much more without giving it away. Go see it and let me know what you think.