While artists would be expected to be at an arts festival, and anthropologist enthusiasts would be expected to be at a culture-focused event, the universal themes on display at last week’s National Georgraphic’s fifth annual All Roads Film Festival brought in a crowd as diverse in interests and backgrounds as the topics that the festival’s art covered.

A more optimistic outlook is needed to ensure the success of future Arab-Israeli peace talks, Ambassador Dennis Ross said in a speech in Gaston Hall on Tuesday night.

“It is not hopeless if we perceive peacemaking with our eyes open, without illusions, and seek to build a foundation for peace,” Ross said.