AUBURN - Low attendance put a damper on a local group's plans to celebrate unity and peace this weekend.

The Institute for Research and Consciousness, a non-profit organization in Auburn, had scheduled public screenings of the film 󈫺 Questions for the Dalai Lama” for Friday and Sunday. But when six people registered for Friday's show, and even fewer for Sunday's, institute director Mary Ann Giacona decided to cancel the whole thing.

The screenings were to be two of hundreds held nationwide this weekend as part of what the film's distributor labeled a “Weekend of Unity and Peace.” The weekend screenings followed the U.S. Congress honoring the Dalai Lama on Wednesday.

Giacona said she was disappointed, even “shocked,” that there was not more public interest surrounding the film, in which director Rick Ray interviews the Dalai Lama about current world issues. She felt the movie would have an especially strong local draw now because the Tibetan Buddhist leader recently visited Ithaca.

“I just thought it would be perfect,” Giacona said.

Giacona kept the contact information for the people who did register and may still organize a small, private screening, which would also include a DVD interview with the filmmaker and a chance for discussion among attendees.

Giacona started the Institute for Research and Consciousness this year to conduct research, provide services and offer public programs in the area of complimentary and alternative medicine.

The organization held another movie screening earlier in the year, and she said she hopes to organize acupuncture programs in the near future.

The teachings of the Dalai Lama, Giacona said, are similar to her own personal mission of bringing people together and helping them understand that their thoughts, acts and interactions affect others.

“The more we think that way, the closer we'll become to attaining an environment of peace and unity,” Giacona said.

Giacona also owns The Center, a health and wellness spa in Auburn that offers yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and other programs and services. The weekend screenings were to be held at The Center.

For more information on 󈫺 Questions for the Dali Lama” and the weekend for unity and peace, visit www.unityandpeace.org.

For more information about the Institute for Research and Consciousness, or to inquire about a possible private screening of the film, call 704-0319.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.