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Michael Almereyda and Courtney Stephens' JOHN LILLY AND THE EARTH COINCIDENCE CONTROL OFFICE was Presented at the 23rd FICM

Brian V. Soto

The presentation of the documentary began with Daniela Michel, founder and director of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), who was pleased to present director Michael Almereyda's work as a special screening.  

Meanwhile, director Almereyda thanked the audience and noted that he had attended the festival for the first time two years ago. He also said that his co-director, Courtney Stephens, was very grateful despite not being able to attend that night.

The American director said that there was an important story he wanted to tell about the film's “strange” title: John C. Lilly's Earth Coincidence Control Office (E.C.C.O.). “One interesting thing I want to tell you is that James Ramey, who was credited as executive co-producer on the film, and whom I also met at the festival, gave us access to John C. Lilly's archive through his son and wife,” he said.

Then, the director asked the audience a question: "How many people here know who John C. Lilly is? Because when I read the description in the catalog, I was surprised that the word ‘dolphins’ wasn't in it, so if anyone here doesn't like dolphins, please leave the room. But if that's not the case, I hope you enjoy the film," he said humorously before starting the screening.      

Filmmakers Michael Almereyda and Courtney Stephens explore the life and ideas of mid-20th-century utopian neuroscientist John C. Lilly, whose unorthodox experiments on human and animal consciousness were controversial due to his methodology, but whose intentions were far-reaching.

The documentary John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office had its world premiere at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam in January 2025. It was co-directed and co-written by American filmmakers Michael Almereyda and Courtney Stephens.