Advanced Premiere Screening:

Chenrezig Institute: The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia

Join us for the first public screening of this much anticipated documentary, and meet the independent film maker Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska, zooming in live from Poland.

This documentary traces the remarkable journey of Tibetan Buddhism into the Western world. Through intimate personal stories, it reveals the vision, challenges, and devotion behind the founding of Chenrezig Institute for Wisdom Culture, the first centre established by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in the West.

Preserving history. Honouring teachers. Inspiring hearts.

Preserving History

Chenrezig Institute is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist centres in the Western world. This film documents its beginnings and evolution, safeguarding an important cultural and spiritual legacy for future generations.

Honouring the Founding Teachers

Through the voices of long-term students, the documentary reflects on the vision, courage, and guidance of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Their teachings and leadership not only shaped the Chenrezig Institute, but also profoundly transformed the lives of individuals and the entire community

Inspiring Others

The film shares the story of a group of young seekers who devoted themselves to learning and spreading the Dharma and shows how Buddhist teachings changed their lives. Their journeys reflect the power of dedication, compassion, and inner transformation, offering inspiration to anyone on a spiritual path.

Screening Details

Date: Saturday, 31st of January 2026

Screening Location: The Gompa, Chenrezig Institute (on a large 6 m × 4 m screen)

5:00-6:15pm - Vegetarian Dinner in the Big Love Cafe with music by Sage Andreason (option to book will display when you proceed to check out)

6:30-8:00pm - Premiere screening in the Gompa

8:00-9:00pm - Live conversation and Q&A with the film director and maker, Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska.

Tickets: (limited to 150 seats — booking recommended once released):

Price:

Movie only — $30 (option to donate more)

Movie + Dinner (delicious vegetarian dinner + 1 drink) — $50

Child under 12: Movie only — Free / Movie + Dinner +1 drink — $10

Why Attend?

Be part of the first to view this much anticipated documentary film in the location the documentary was conceived and filmed. Learn more about the history of Chenreig Institute, and how buddhism began in Australia. Special opportunity to be part of the live conversation with Film maker and former resident volunteer and multi media manager, Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska.

Jointly brought to you by Chenrezig Institute and Wonderwoods Film Foundation

Film Director’s Bio

Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska is an independent documentary filmmaker whose work is rooted in her spiritual journey. She firmly believes that lasting world peace can only be achieved through profound spiritual transformation, and this conviction is the primary motivation behind her films. Her award-winning documentary Bhikkhunī – Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Revolution (https://bhikkhuni-film.com) explores the revival of women’s ordination in Theravāda Buddhism.

In June 2019, she left her home country of Poland to travel and make films. Just a few days later, she arrived at Chenrezig Institute, a Buddhist retreat and study center nestled in the hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. What was meant to be a stay of a few months became four deeply transformative years.

Shortly after arriving at Chenrezig Institute, she felt a strong calling to create a documentary about the center’s origin. After sharing the idea with the community, she realized it resonated with others as well. She began working on the film, a project she continued throughout her stay.

For four years, Małgorzata was deeply involved in daily life and service at Chenrezig Institute. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world in March 2020, she had the opportunity to use her technical and multimedia background to establish an in-house multimedia team. As a Multimedia Coordinator, she played a key role in setting up and developing the institute’s online platform, livestreaming teachings and special events not only locally and regionally, but far beyond Australia.

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You may also be interested to see Malgos’ current exhibition in the Wellbeing Centre of Chenrezig Institute:

Interwoven Visions: A Photographic Exhibition by Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska

https://chenrezig.com.au/upcoming-events/interwoven-visions-a-photographic-exhibition

CREDITS 

Genre: documentary

Time: 80 min.

Directed, produced and edited by Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska

Cinematography: Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska 

Additional cinematography (drone): Neil Reckers 

Music and audio post-production: Krzysztof Horn
Featuring (in order of appearance): Geshe Tsultrim, Venerable Robina Courtin, Venerable Thubten Chökyi, Shannon Murphy, Andy Weber, Kathy Vichta, Venerable Kartsön, Colin Crosbie, Tom Vichta, Venerable Ailsa Cameron, Adele Hulse, Lama Yeshe, Garrey Foulkes, Venerable Paylon, Losang Demchog, Ruby Karmay, Aunty Bridgette Chilly Davis, Karma Singey

Translation Services - Tibetan language:
Jenny Dzidowski, Venerable Kartsön  

Founding: This film was made possible thanks to the generosity of all those who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign,

and with additional support from FPMT. 

Archival Footage Courtesy of
Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive,  Chenrezig Institute and BBC
Distribution: Wonderwoods Film Foundation (Fundacja Filmowa Wonderwoods) and Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska

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Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenrezigfilm