Today was a major day for viewing films. Here at the festival, the Young Filmmaker and Short Film categories are heavily anticipated, and both began showing today. After lunch, the theater room showing the short films was filled to capacity. By the end of the day, all the feature films and most of the documentaries have shown at least once. By the end of tomorrow, most of these same films will have been shown twice. There are usually four different theaters showing different categories of film at the same time, so attendees usually get to see about half the films. Because I’ve seen about 10 of the films before (significant thanks to the National Movie Night program, which screened several of them recently).

The evening program included performances by Charlie Zahm and George Sarris, as well as the worldwide premier of three of Vision Forum’s new short films, shot by the Leclerc brothers in Iceland: Dominion, Risk, and Manhood. Doug Phillips also cast his vision for the Hazardous Journeys Society. To sum, National Geographic and other nature programming TV and media which promote evolutionistic scientism have had the upper hand for two long. This is my Father’s world, and the Hazardous Journeys Society exists to document the world where Christ is Lord and King. Mr. Phillips called for independent filmmakers to take teams all over the globe, to 7 continents, 5 oceans, and 195 countries by the year 2022. In the next 24 months, Vision Forum hopes to take a venture on the Virgin Galactic private space shuttle to the next frontier: space.

In Christ,

Jonathan

Today was the first day of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, or SAICFF. Two special events happened this morning: Vision forum offered a special photography class for attendees of the Academy, and one of the producers held a special pre-screening of a yet to be released film, ‘Remember’. After a brief lunch break, we headed over to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for the first session of films. Six categories of film opened in the afternoon, followed by the opening ceremonies around 6:30 p.m. The evening premieres included Captivated, Crying Wolf, Detained, and Seasons of Grey. Charlie Zahm also gave a concert on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Voting for the audience choice has begun!

In Christ,

Joanthan

Wednesday was the final day of the SAICFA, or Christian Filmmakers Academy. Once again, Extreme Meetings provided some statistics about the filmmakers in attendance. Christian Filmmakers primarily watch PG-13 rated films (39%) on DVD (71%). When they rent, they like to use Netflix (41%) and Redbox (25%). About half of the attendees see 1-2 films in a theatre per year (49%), and the rest are split between those that visit the theatre 1-2 times per month, and those who have never seen a film on the big screen.

Today’s theme was the business of film, focusing especially on distribution, fulfillment and marketing. Kirk Cameron, Stephen Kendrick, Philip and Chris Leclerc, Curtis Bowers, Collin Gunn, John Moore, David Cook, J.D. King, Geoff Botkin and Doug Phillips all took the stage to offer their unique insights into the business end of film production. One consensus introduced by Curtis Bowers is the importance of grassroots in marketing. Once people are excited about a film, they want to tell their friends. The day ended with Kirk Cameron discussing his new film, Monumental.

Trig Jacobson opened the morning with the ‘Brand Identification Model’, a simple system to evaluate your brand. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was an example: “Ben & Jerry’s serves ice cream lovers who don’t do things by halves [or halfway]. Ben & Jerry’s fills your face full of flavor so you can feel gloriously righteous about your indulgence. It is outrageously packed full of the stuff we love to love.”

Collin Gunn remarked on the importance of tone in documentaries, saying, “Theology without art is impassionate. Art without theology is selfishness.”

John Moore on distribution noted a maxim that his father had taught him. That is, wherever you are, you are an ambassador for yourself, your business, and your brand. So always be professional.

Oh, and one more thing, unanimously agreed to by the panel: if you can, win the SAICFF Jubilee award; It’s one of the best things you can do for distribution and sales. Thursday the festival begins, and the $101,000 best of festival winner will be decided. Who are you rooting for?