Filmmakers Presented Saffron Robe at USC Panel
The documentary chronicles an abbot's efforts to preserve Buddhist culture and education in Laos.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Documentary
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Documentary filmmakers Jane Centofante and Jayne Hufschmid recently held a panel at USC to discuss their 2025 film, Saffron Robe. The project highlights Abbot Onekeo Sittivong's mission to preserve Buddhist customs and education within the community of Luang Prabang, Laos.
Why it matters
The film documents critical cultural preservation efforts in Luang Prabang, where Abbot Onekeo Sittivong works to maintain traditions and provide education for local youth. The project offers an inside look at a decade-long commitment to safeguarding Buddhist heritage against the backdrop of historical change.
The production spanned 10 years, with individual filming trips in Luang Prabang lasting six to eight weeks. The project focuses on a Buddhist school that currently serves 500 boys.
The players
Jane Centofante
She is a USC alumna and documentary filmmaker who co-produced Saffron Robe.
Jayne Hufschmid
She is a USC alumna and documentary filmmaker who co-produced Saffron Robe.
Onekeo Sittivong
He is an abbot who founded a Lao Theravada Buddhist school in Luang Prabang to preserve cultural traditions.
USC
The University of Southern California is a major research university in Los Angeles that hosted the recent panel.
The details
Centofante and Hufschmid produced the film by identifying necessary skills and building a team of collaborators throughout their long-term project. The documentary follows Sittivong as he oversees the Lao Theravada Buddhist school, highlighting his role in maintaining cultural practices following the fall of the 600-year-old Lao monarchy.
Timeline
Centofante and Hufschmid graduated from USC in the 1970s.
The filmmakers first visited Southeast Asia in 2012.
The documentary Saffron Robe was released in 2025.
The USC panel discussion occurred on October 3, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This documentary follows a trend of independent filmmakers focusing on niche cultural preservation projects that require multi-year access. By documenting the aftermath of the fall of the 600-year-old Lao monarchy, the film bridges the gap between historical record and contemporary social observation.
Audiences in Los Angeles were able to engage directly with the filmmakers during the panel event at the Annenberg Auditorium. Those interested in the subject can look for upcoming festival screenings or wider digital distribution for the 2025 documentary.
The takeaway
The decade-long journey of the filmmakers highlights the immense patience required for deep-dive documentary work. Viewers looking to support similar cultural preservation projects can research local initiatives that provide educational resources to international youth.
Further reading
For more information on current projects in this field, visit the Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Trojan.
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