OTV Sabbatical Reflections | Elijah McKinnon - Executive Director
How did you spend your sabbatical?
When I assumed the role of Executive Director back in 2019 I had no idea that our world would shift in the most unimaginable way. For the first time in almost four years I was able to deeply exhale and create immense space to remind myself of the core values that anchor me to this work, OTV’s mission and my artistic practice. During my OTV Sabbatical, I cultivated space to truly listen to my mind, nourish my body and celebrate my soul. Through unstructured time I found myself activating a sense of spontaneity that allowed me to connect, explore and discover parts of myself that have been silenced for far too long.
It feels like I lived several lives during my time away from the #OTVmultiverse but my top highlights include a 10-day road trip through the Eastern Cape of South Africa and a 5-day writers’ retreat to a remote island off the coast of Kenya. These enriching experiences allowed me to rest my mind, indulge in the power of healing through collective fellowship, and create uninhibited space for my next film to safely land in my heart. I’m so grateful to lead and work with an organization that prioritizes the health and well-being of the people that work tirelessly to identify, activate and mobilize the next generation of storytellers to thrive. This work is not easy but I’m returned with a freshly lit flame that will ignite so many exciting opportunities for myself and the #OTVcommunity.
Lessons Learned:
How did you spend your OTV Sabbatical Stipend?
I spent my OTV Sabbatical Stipend on a 5-day writers retreat situated on a remote island of Kenya. During this time, I locked myself in the top room of a small seaside hotel where I created space for the core characters that will take shape and form in my next film. In addition to dreaming, yoga and meditation, I was able to breathe life into the world that will hold these individual’s passions and motivations.
Why did you choose to invest in this activity/effort?
It was really important for me to make space for my art practice to receive the same amount of care and attention that my professional life receives.
What did you learn?
I learned that artmaking is an act of bravery. It was so healing to allow the space for these characters to teach me about myself and the world.