"The Power of Forgiveness," an award-winning feature film, will be shown in a special screening Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at Wall Auditorium at Coastal Carolina University. The movie, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by remarks from filmmaker Martin Doblmeier.

The one-hour film presented by South Carolina Educational Television at how anger and grief can damage lives and examines the role forgiveness plays in promoting physical, mental and spiritual benefits.

The film includes stories and interviews with people from many faith traditions: Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh; Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel on forgiveness in the Jewish faith; Azim Khamisa on forgiveness and Islam; the Rev. James Forbes, pastor of Riverside Church in New York, on forgiveness from a Christian perspective. Bestselling author Thomas Moore ("Care of the Soul") speaks on forgiveness from a spiritual viewpoint.

"The Power of Forgiveness" features stories about forgiveness in gangs, building a Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero and the Amish teaching on forgiveness. And there is testimony from doctors, psychologists and psychotherapists about the measurable benefits of forgiveness and the hidden costs of unforgiveness.

Doblmeier is well known for his earlier film, "Bonhoeffer," and he led more than 75 showings/discussions of that film. To encourage interfaith dialogue, participants will be given a handout with questions designed to help them discern their attitudes about forgiveness, both before and after viewing the film, and to think about what changes the conversation might bring about in their lives.

For more information, call 349-4101.