By: Matt Emma
The internationally acclaimed documentary Saffron Robe continues its impressive festival journey, recently taking home Best Documentary Feature this November at the ARPA International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Directed and produced by Jane Centofante, the film has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, illuminating the quiet heroism of Lao Buddhist monk Abbot Onekeo Sittivong and his lifelong mission to preserve a sacred tradition that was at risk of being lost to history.
Set against the lush mountains of northern Laos, Saffron Robe traces the Abbot’s noteworthy efforts to bring education, spiritual guidance, and stability to children growing up in a society still recovering from the devastating aftermath of the Vietnam War. Between 1964 and 1973, Laos endured nine years of relentless bombing—one of the most intense aerial campaigns in history—that left entire villages destroyed and thousands displaced. In the war’s wake, Buddhist ceremonies were discouraged by the new regime, which threatened to erase centuries of culture and faith.
Through Centofante’s patient and reverent lens, audiences are transported to Pa Pha O Buddhist Academy, the school established by Abbot Onekeo in 2008 north of Luang Prabang. There, more than 500 young novices—many from impoverished farming communities—receive both monastic and secular education in Buddhist studies, science, math, and language. What emerges is a portrait of resilience: a community working to rebuild, not just its structures, but its spirit.
“When I first met Abbot Onekeo twelve years ago, I had no idea the depth of transformation I would witness,” said Centofante. “His life’s work is an act of quiet resistance—reviving Buddhist traditions that had been nearly lost to war while giving children a path to a potentially brighter future. Through his humility and service, he embodies what it means to be a light in dark times.”
Over the course of several years and multiple visits to Laos, Centofante and her crew—working with the Abbot’s trust and blessing—captured unprecedented access to a spiritual world rarely seen by Western audiences. The result is a film both intimate and sweeping, balancing the contemplative rhythms of monastic life with the urgent realities of a country navigating significant modern change.
“I believe we captured the heart and soul of his remarkable efforts,” Centofante continued. “Every frame of this film was approached with deep respect for the people and the culture. Saffron Robe isn’t just about Buddhism—it’s about the human capacity to heal and create hope even after great loss.”
The film’s editorial depth owes much to Thavisouk “Thavi” Phrasavath, the Academy Award–nominated filmmaker of The Betrayal, who brought both professional mastery and personal resonance to the project as a Lao refugee. The creative team also includes Jayne Hufschmid (Producer/Writer), Kraig Butrum (Producer), Alexander J. Hufschmid (Director of Photography), Michel K. Tsagli (Sound), Peter Golub (Composer), and Corey Brill (Narrator).
Following its award-winning Los Angeles screening at ARPA, Saffron Robe continues its 2025 festival circuit with screenings this month at the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival in Delaware, the Tennessee Independent International Film Festival near Nashville, the Golden Gate International Film Festival in Saratoga, the Gulf of Naples Independent Film Festival in Italy, and the Culver City Film Festival in California in December. The film also made notable appearances earlier this year at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York City, Chichester International Film Festival in England, and Marina del Rey Film Festival in California, among others.
At its core, Saffron Robe is a spotlight on compassion as a transformative force. Through the Abbot’s unwavering devotion to his students, the film reminds viewers of the potential that exists when education, faith, and hope intersect.
“Abbot Onekeo often says, ‘The important thing is to be truthful to your heart,’” Centofante reflected. “That’s the spirit that guided us through this entire process—and it’s the message we hope audiences carry with them whenever they see this film.”
Saffron Robe stands as both a cinematic tribute and spiritual offering—a reminder that even in the aftermath of war, the human spirit can rise again, wrapped in the color of devotion.
For more information, visit saffronrobefilm.com.
