Award-winning documentary “Meeting the Buddha” announces Australian theatrical run – The acclaimed documentary Meeting the Buddha launches a special tour of limited theatrical screenings across Australia, beginning with its premiere and director Q&A in Perth on Thursday, 26 February.
Created by an international team from Hungary, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Australia, and made in collaboration with venerable Tibetan lamas, Meeting the Buddha is produced by The Beautiful Truth – a film production company dedicated to documentaries that explore purpose, impact and humanity
His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, revered as the “King of the Yogis,” was a completely enlightened Buddhist master and head of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He was respected and consulted by high lamas of other lineages and was one of the very first Tibetan Buddhist leaders to undertake extensive teaching tours to the West in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Meeting the Buddha captures the remarkable presence of the 16th Karmapa, tracing his early years in Tibet, his preservation of the lineage in exile in India, and his vision to spread Buddhism to the modern world.
In this context, we meet Ole Nydahl, a wild young hippy from Denmark who, as a small child, had declared his wish to become the “Danish champion of mind.”
His life is radically transformed by a chance encounter with the Karmapa in 1969. He and his wife, Hannah, become key figures in bringing Buddhism to the West, founding hundreds of meditation centres from Mexico City to Vladivostok – and carrying forward their teacher’s vision with unshakable dedication.
Amid political upheaval in Tibet and profound cultural transformation in the West, Meeting the Buddha tells a richly historical yet deeply personal story of how timeless wisdom found its way into modern life. Blending rare archival footage, original animation, intimate interviews and contemporary reflections, the film traces this journey across cultures, generations and lived experience.
Australia holds a special place in the story of Meeting the Buddha. Beginning in the early 1990s, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah formed a deep connection with the Australian community after being invited to teach Buddhism there.
They returned regularly over many years, teaching and connecting with people from all walks of life, and developed a strong affection for the country’s relaxed and open spirit. Several interviews for the film were recorded on both the west and east coasts of Australia, and the film will premiere in Perth – a city where Lama Ole held a number of Buddhist courses over the years.
Director Marta György-Kessler, who first encountered Buddhism through Ole and Hannah Nydahl in 1990, previously directed the award-winning Hannah – Buddhism’s Untold Journey, featured on Netflix.
Speaking about her upcoming visit to share Meeting the Buddha with Australian audiences, Marta said:
“I am very pleased to return to Australia with my latest project, which presents the inspiring life stories of Buddhist masters. I believe the film will resonate with people from all walks of life, particularly in Australia, where there is a natural openness to the timeless and liberating teachings of Buddhism – a view that can gently yet powerfully transform how we face life’s everyday challenges.”
AUSTRALIAN LIMITED THEATRICAL SCREENINGS
- Perth | 26 February, 6:30pm – Event Cinemas, Innaloo
- Melbourne | 3 March, 6:00pm – Eclipse Cinema, Collingwood
- Albury | 4 March, 6:00pm – Regent Cinemas
- Canberra | 4 March, 6:30pm – Palace Electric Cinema
- Sydney | 7 March, 1:00pm – Palace Moore Park
- Newcastle | 9 March, 6:30pm – Event Cinemas Kotara
- Byron Bay | 16 March, 6:30pm – Palace Byron Bay
For tickets and screening details, visit: https://www.meetingthebuddha.com
The film has already earned 11 international awards at jury-only screenings in 2025, including four Awards of Excellence – from the IndieFEST Film Awards (Special Mention and History/Biographical), The Impact DOCS Awards and Docs Without Borders. Additional honours include Best Human-Interest Film at the WPFA Awards, Best Indie Director at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, Best Director (Feature Film) at the Cine Paris Film Festival, Best Director (Documentary) at the Berlin Indie Film Festival, Best Documentary at the Chicago Women Film Festival and at the Royal Starr Film Festival; and Honourable Mention at Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood.
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Award-winning documentary “Meeting the Buddha” announces Australian theatrical run
