About the Film

Director’s Statement

Filmmaker Sky Bergman with her grandmother Evelyn Ricciuti, the inspiration behind Lives Well Lived.

Filmmaker Sky Bergman with her grandmother Evelyn Ricciuti, the inspiration behind Lives Well Lived.

 

My 103-year-old Italian grandmother enjoyed exercise, making the best lasagna you’ve ever tasted, and being with family. I started filming her cooking about five years ago when she was 99 years old. I filmed her at the gym because I thought, no one will believe that my grandmother is still working out. I asked her if she could give me a few words of wisdom, and that was the beginning of this adventure.

The “graying of America” is no longer a futuristic prediction: The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show over 50 years ago and Baby Boomers are turning 70. As I was approaching my 50th year and starting to reflect on my own life, I began a quest to search for other people, who like my grandmother were living life to the limits.

In our society, the elderly are often overlooked. Lives Well Lived celebrates the incredible wit, wisdom, and life experiences of older adults living full and meaningful lives in their later years. Their stories are about perseverance, the human spirit, and staying positive during the great personal and historic challenges.

I hope these stories inspire people of every age to achieve the longevity of both health and spirit, and to realize that growing older can be a journey to be celebrated.

Our Journey

Beginning with its premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Lives Well Lived has screened in more than 200 cities. The film has won eight awards, and the theatrical run garnered enthusiastic reviews and a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Organizations like Aging 2.0, AARP’s Movies for Grownups, Encore.org, and Leading Age have screened Lives Well Lived. Now the film is available on PBS!

A more in-depth look at the passion behind the film and its filmmaker, Sky Bergman.
Interview with Growing Bolder: “Putting Active Aging in Focus”

The Creative Team

Sky Bergman is an accomplished, award-winning photographer. Lives Well Lived is Sky’s directorial debut. Her fine art work is included in permanent collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Brooklyn Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (National Library of France) in Paris. Her book, The Naked & The Nude: Images from the Sculpture Series, includes an introduction by Hèléne Pinet, curator of photography at the Rodin Museum in Paris. She has shot book covers for Random House and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., and magazine spreads that appeared in Smithsonian, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Reader’s Digest, and Archaeology Odyssey. Sky Bergman currently is a Professor of Photography and Video at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Sky Bergman is an accomplished, award-winning photographer. Lives Well Lived is Sky’s directorial debut.

Her fine art work is included in permanent collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Brooklyn Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (National Library of France) in Paris. Her book, The Naked & The Nude: Images from the Sculpture Series, includes an introduction by Hèléne Pinet, curator of photography at the Rodin Museum in Paris. She has shot book covers for Random House and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., and magazine spreads that appeared in Smithsonian, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Reader’s Digest, and Archaeology Odyssey.

Sky Bergman currently is a Professor of Photography and Video at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Sky Bergman, Filmmaker | SkyBergman.com | Sky Bergman and film star Dr. Lou Tedone

Gayle Force is a Brand Strategist and Creative Force of Gayle Force Design, a powerful storyteller rooted in art & design and committed to five core values: Optimism, Passion, Innovation, Trust, and Aiming High.

Gayle Force is a Brand Strategist and Creative Force of Gayle Force Design, a powerful storyteller rooted in art & design and committed to five core values: Optimism, Passion, Innovation, Trust, and Aiming High.

Gayle Force, Associate Producer and Lead Graphic Designer | www.gayleforcedesign.com

Catherine Trujillo has worked with designers, artists, architects, and photographers to create long-standing contributions to the cultural life of the Central Coast. She moved to San Luis Obispo with a commitment to work in the arts and a focus on the preservation and dissemination of multicultural history and art.

Catherine Trujillo has worked with designers, artists, architects, and photographers to create long-standing contributions to the cultural life of the Central Coast. She moved to San Luis Obispo with a commitment to work in the arts and a focus on the preservation and dissemination of multicultural history and art.

Catherine Trujillo, Associate Producer & Archival Researcher | nothinghappenedhere.org

Randi Barros is an award-winning film editor and screenwriter. She co-edited the documentary, "Botso, The Teacher From Tbilisi," which won the Audience Award at numerous film festivals in 2013-2014. She works as an editor of documentaries and programs for PBS, CNN, the BBC, Lifetime Television and Life 360, including "The Ripple Effect," a Headliner Award winner.

Randi Barros is an award-winning film editor and screenwriter. She co-edited the documentary, "Botso, The Teacher From Tbilisi," which won the Audience Award at numerous film festivals in 2013-2014. She works as an editor of documentaries and programs for PBS, CNN, the BBC, Lifetime Television and Life 360, including "The Ripple Effect," a Headliner Award winner.

Randi Barros, Editor | RandiBarros.com

Dana Carpenter is a published author, marketing communication specialist, branding expert, editor and professional coach for women entrepreneurs. She helps others build their businesses, tell their stories and achieve their dreams. Dana has been par…

Dana Carpenter is a published author, marketing communication specialist, branding expert, editor and professional coach for women entrepreneurs. She helps others build their businesses, tell their stories and achieve their dreams. Dana has been part of the Lives Well Lived project since its inception.

Dana Carpenter, Communication Manager

Sara Needham is an Emmy-nominated producer who believes in the power of film to bring about dialogue and change. With nearly 20 years of working in documentary film and journalism, she has led and implemented many successful outreach & impact ca…

Sara Needham is an Emmy-nominated producer who believes in the power of film to bring about dialogue and change. With nearly 20 years of working in documentary film and journalism, she has led and implemented many successful outreach & impact campaigns for documentaries. She’s thrilled to be spearheading the PBS campaign for Lives Well Lived.

Sara Needham, Impact Producer

Kristin is a writer, photographer and documentary film consultant. For the past twenty-five years, she’s been a marketing strategist & PBS station wrangler for more than 100 films on a wide variety of topics.

Kristin is a writer, photographer and documentary film consultant. For the past twenty-five years, she’s been a marketing strategist & PBS station wrangler for more than 100 films on a wide variety of topics.

Kristin Fellows, PBS Station Wrangler | www.kristinfellows.com

Kimberley Browning is a film and television producer based in Los Angeles. She began her career working in production at Disney's Touchstone Television after studying film & music at the University of Southern California. Her film credits include Archie's Final Project, Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary, Uprooted: A History of Jazz Dance and the art doc Room 19. Her episodic credits feature The Jackson's family docuseries for A&E Networks and original digital content for NBC, CBS, Warner Brothers, Rollingstone.com and Comedy Central. Kimberley has served as the Executive Producer of HBO ACCESS, a development program for underrepresented episodic television writers and directors, and is the Film Panel Chair for YoungARTS, overseeing the evaluation of the US's top teen artists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Kimberley Browning is a film and television producer based in Los Angeles. She began her career working in production at Disney's Touchstone Television after studying film & music at the University of Southern California. Her film credits include Archie's Final Project, Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary, Uprooted: A History of Jazz Dance and the art doc Room 19. Her episodic credits feature The Jackson's family docuseries for A&E Networks and original digital content for NBC, CBS, Warner Brothers, Rollingstone.com and Comedy Central. Kimberley has served as the Executive Producer of HBO ACCESS, a development program for underrepresented episodic television writers and directors, and is the Film Panel Chair for YoungARTS, overseeing the evaluation of the US's top teen artists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Kimberley Browning, Film Consultant | hollywoodshorts | Photo: Jane Rosemont

Michele Spitz of Woman of Her Word is a voiceover artist, philanthropist and advocate for inclusive experiences and access to all entertainment platforms and the cultural arts. She is most passionate about her audio description narration work, having voiced 50 film projects for visually impaired audiences. She is a member of NY/ LA Women in Film and BAFTA, serving on film panels, funding graduate student film scholarships, and providing grants for audio described film production. Michele also underwrites programs that allow for seniors, veterans and disabled individuals to participate in the arts.

Michele Spitz of Woman of Her Word is a voiceover artist, philanthropist and advocate for inclusive experiences and access to all entertainment platforms and the cultural arts. She is most passionate about her audio description narration work, having voiced 50 film projects for visually impaired audiences. She is a member of NY/ LA Women in Film and BAFTA, serving on film panels, funding graduate student film scholarships, and providing grants for audio described film production. Michele also underwrites programs that allow for seniors, veterans and disabled individuals to participate in the arts.

Michele Spitz, Audio Descriptions | www.womanofherword.com

Anna Darrah is an experienced film buyer, negotiating with and licensing over 800 films in her 12 years working for Gaiam and Spiritual Cinema Circle, and is currently advising filmmakers on custom distribution strategies. Anna is president of Santa…

Anna Darrah is an experienced film buyer, negotiating with and licensing over 800 films in her 12 years working for Gaiam and Spiritual Cinema Circle, and is currently advising filmmakers on custom distribution strategies. Anna is president of Santa Fe Network, and a principal of Film Nest Studios. She authored a chapter in Swimming Upstream: A Lifesaving Guide to Short Film Distribution, and has published articles on topics as diverse as motherhood and film distribution.

Anna Darrah, Distribution Strategy | www.annadarrah.com

Cafe Musique is from the central coast of California. They have performed internationally and are well known for their gypsy, tango and 'wild classical' arrangements. The members of Café Musique are Brynn Albanese on violin and vocals, Duane Inglish on accordion, Fred Murray on bass and vocals, and Craig Nuttycombe on guitar and vocals.

Cafe Musique, Music | www.cafemusique.org | Photo: Brittany App

Justin Hooper is a composer, singer-songwriter and music teacher. His original compositions were featured in the award-winning documentary "Botso" and film festival short "Restoring Faith." 

Justin Hooper is a composer, singer-songwriter and music teacher. His original compositions were featured in the award-winning documentary "Botso" and film festival short "Restoring Faith." 

Justin Hooper, Music | www.thesimpleparade.com | Photo: Trevor Hooper

Matt  Keating has been consistently putting out critically acclaimed albums since his Alias Records debut, Tell It to Yourself was released in 1993. His latest album, THIS  PERFECT CRIME is his 9th full-length production. Matt also wr…

Matt  Keating has been consistently putting out critically acclaimed albums since his Alias Records debut, Tell It to Yourself was released in 1993. His latest album, THIS  PERFECT CRIME is his 9th full-length production. Matt also writes and scores for film and television, including “Won't Back Down” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. In addition to performing and writing his own music, he produces other artists, teaches music and songwriting.

Matt  Keating, Music | www.mattkeating.com | Photo: Courtesy Matt Keating

A curious lifelong learner, Lynn revels in human connections and found out early in life her love for elders. She has enjoyed learning from them over the last 15 years by way of home care, marketing, and helping to carry on their wisdom and traditions.

She found her way to Sky’s team through the network of colleagues who serve the senior industry. As the world has been driven more online, She is proud to be able to offer her expertise in social media, helping clients reach their targeted audience. Holding high integrity, She enjoys producing positive and professional messages within the online space.

Lynn Creasy, Social Media | H2HMarketing.net | Photo: 

Editor for Lives Well Lived trailer: Greg Janza

Interview Transcriptions: Julie Sample

Accountant for Film: John R. Warner

Awards

  • Audience Choice Award

    DOCUTAH Film Festival

  • Audience Choice Award

    San Diego Jewish Film Festival

  • Audience Choice Award

    Third ACTion Film Festival

  • Audience Choice Award

    Worldwide Women’s Film Festival

  • Audience Choice Award

    Second Place, Maine International Film Festival

  • Best of the Feature

    Gig Harbor Film Festival

  • Best in Fest

    Nevada City Film Festival

  • Best Documentary

    Worldwide Women’s Film Festival