On Thursday, July 25, the widely acclaimed new documentary “Ariel Phenomenon” will premiere at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 7:00 p.m., presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.

The screening will include a special appearance and post-screening discussion with director Randall Nickerson.

“Ariel Phenomenon” explores an unexplained mystery in Zimbabwe and the involvement of controversial Harvard professor Dr. John Mack.

The film is the first to thoroughly document the account of over sixty schoolchildren at Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, who, in 1994, witnessed an unidentified craft land outside their rural African schoolyard. Thanks to the courageous work of Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John E. Mack, who jeopardized his reputation by traveling to Africa to interview the children, the mass-sighting event was made impossible to ignore.

What began as an investigation into an extraordinary incident, transforms into something equally as remarkable: a genuinely human story that explores what happens when you experience something so extraordinary that nobody believes you.

Nickerson and the film have been featured in the LA Times, NPR, The Washington Examiner, and interviewed on over three dozen podcasts; the film garnered the #1 spot in Entertainment Weekly's recent "UFO Docs to Watch Now".

Since its release in 2022, the film has gathered 4.6/5 stars on Amazon and a 100% critics and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“A unique and moving film, made with humanity, honesty, and a sense of awe.” — Leslie Kean, New York Times

“There is undeniable power in hearing the recollections of people who shared something so remarkable and so inexplicable.” — Noel Murray, Los Angels Times.

“Powerful, life-affirming, and brought me to tears.” — Josh Boone, Fault in Our Stars, The Stand

“Ariel Phenomenon” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a special appearance and post-screening discussion with director Randall Nickerson.

Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.