JOHN BUSH NEW YORK 2025
“As a filmmaker, I attempt to capture the light that quiets the mind and opens the heart.”
John Bush is a New York–based filmmaker and visual artist whose work explores the intersection of image, culture, and contemplation. His films invite reflection rather than persuasion—crafted with a quiet eye and an artist’s touch.
He began filmmaking in 2000 after leading Illuminations, a visionary design studio. His work has been shown on PBS, aired internationally, played in theaters, major museums and at festivals from Rome to Bangkok
His Yatra Trilogy—Dharma River, Prajna Earth (narrated by Sharon Stone), and Vajra Sky Over Tibet— were broadcast nationwide on PBS as a primetime miniseries: Journey Into Buddhism. Vajra Sky was endorsed by the Dalai Lama and played during his teachings in a dozen cities, and went on to screen in over 70 more cities, offering audiences a rare cinematic encounter with Tibetan culture.
With Into the Heart of India, John returns to a land of personal significance, offering a cinematic journey shaped by stillness, reverence, and a deep respect for cultural tradition.
Streaming Now -
Into The Heart of India
is offered for purchase by PBS
on Apple TV and Prime Video:
Visit: journeyintobuddhism.com
THE YATRA TRILOGY
JOURNEY INTO BUDDHISM
4.5 Hours / 3 Episodes
Cinematic pilgrimages in:
South East Asia & Tibet
“A visionary in the truest sense, John Bush patiently draws the viewer into his vision.”
PERRY GARFINKEL
HUFFINGTON POST
JOHN BUSH with beloved Indian saint
NEEM KAROLI BABA - VRINDAVAN 1971
Award Winnning Dance Films
“The whole world is my home, all are my family.“
Love everyone, feed everyone.”
“Sub Ek — All is One.”
NEEMKAROLI BABA
Filmmaker John Bush and choreographer, dancer Nadine Helstroffer have captivated
festival and museum audiences around the
world with their shared artistry. This universal
genre joins the art of dance and film with no spoken word.
PORTAL - filmed during Christo’s “The Gates” in New York City
"Nadine Helstroffer is one of dance's treasures, a poetic, luminous performer, whose choreography reflects her insight into life, nature, and spirituality. Helstroffer acts as the radiant core from which Bush's loveliest light can flow"
Infinitebody
Eva Yaa Asantewaa
“Nadine Helstroffer from France, a performer and choreographer of fierce concentration and focus”
JENNIFER DUNNING
The New York Times
- Prior Work -
THE YATRA TRILOGY ON PBS
A prime time Mini Series • 3 Episodes • 4.5 hours
Nationwide Broadcasts
Tibet Cambodia Java Bali Thailand Laos Burma
Over 18 million viewers on PBS stations
“Viewers will be awed by this luminous world,
so rarely seen in film.”
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON
“I am grateful to John Bush
for his dedication to this project”
THE DALAI LAMA
ART MUSEUM ENGAGEMENTS
THE YATRA TRILOGY
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Rubin Museum of Art, New York
National Gallery of Australia
Art Institute of Chicago
The British Museum, London
Asia Society New York
The National Archives, Ottawa
Alliance Francaise New York
Bishop Museum, Honolulu
Cleveland Museum of Art
Seattle Art Museum
Detroit Institute of Art
Anchorage Museum of Art
Portland Art Museum, Oregon
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Center For Contemporary Arts Santa Fe
Norton Simon Museum of Art, Pasadena
Danish Film Institute, Copenhagen
Alliance Francaise New Delhi
Chester Beatty Museum, Dublin
National Palace Museum of Taiwan
Museum of Asian Civilizations, Singapore
RESONANCE JOURNEY - NINE DANCE FILMS
BHAIRAVI SKY DREAM ON ME AJAR HOURGLASS
SKYSCRAPER ZEPHYR PORTAL
ABSENCE PRESENCE VAJRA REALM
John Bush has collaborated with french-born, New York City choreographer Nadine Helstroffer on a series of nine dance films that have played in over 130 festivals in 28 countries including: The Spoleto Festival,
Festival de Cannes, The American Dance Festival
NADINE HELSTROFFER
Choreographer & Dancer
Nadine pairs with Kathak dancer Tanvi Palav in brief dance interludes within INTO THE HEART OF INDIA - exploring the interplay of the mortal & eternal.
