The fifth film in The Arts Council's Independent Film Series, "A Gift For The Village" will be screened March 23 at The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville.

The movie will start at 7:30 p.m. followed by a reception with the filmmaker.

"A Gift For The Village" examines the connections between an American community and a remote Himalayan region, both fighting to heal and deal with different obstacles.

In June 2007, seven friends traveled from Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains to the village of Jomsom in the Himalayas of Nepal to deliver a painting by American artist Jane Lillian Vance. The painting depicts Tsampa Ngawang, a Tibetan "amchi," or doctor and mind healer.

The cross-cultural project has received the blessing of the Dalai Lama, and examines the connections between an American community reeling in the face of the killings at Virginia Tech and a remote Himalayan region fighting to preserve its way of life in the face of encroaching modernization.

The film is narrated by Public Radio's Lisa Mullins.

Following a screening of the film, directors-producers Tom Landon and Jenna Swann will discuss the film with the audience.

The film is the fifth of six in the series. Trailers for each film may be viewed at the Arts Council's website, www.theartscouncil.net.

Tickets are $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors ages 65 and older. Series and individual tickets may be ordered online at www.theartscouncil.net or by calling 770-534-2787.