The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
A VISION FOR CULTURAL REBELUTION
It is with great joy that Alex and I bring to your attention the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), a project of Vision Forum Ministries. This growing festival, scheduled for October 27-29 of this year, is drawing maverick Christians from around the globe to challenge the status quo presented by Hollywood.
Says Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries: “We live on the threshold of a revolution in independent Christian filmmaking. For the first time in more than half a century, Christians have the opportunity to change the terms of debate for this crucial medium of cultural influence by challenging the Hollywood giant.”
Over the last decade a quadruple convergence of affordable technology, alternative distribution and training, and the American public’s general disenchantment with “Babylon Central,” has fashioned a unique environment for a new form of cultural guerilla warfare against the elites who, according to Mr. Phillips, would “redefine the biblical family out of existence and present a dark and nefarious vision of reality to the future.”
As America becomes more and more discontent with Hollywood’s negative, monopolistic stranglehold on film and culture, the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival provides an avenue for Christians to cease cursing the darkness, and to start lighting candles.
With a grand prize of $10,000 for Best of Festival and numerous Best of Category awards, this year’s festival promises to attract even greater numbers of independent Christian filmmakers than it’s predecessor. Located in San Antonio, Texas—a beautiful city full of life, a rich heritage, and fine cuisine—the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is sure to encourage and inspire all who attend.
For additional information regarding the SAICFF and its vision, please visit the official website. To view a short trailer submitted by a festival applicant, click here.
THE 2005 CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS ACADEMY
This year, the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival will be holding its first-ever Christian Filmmakers Academy (CFA)—a technical boot camp for aspiring culture changers, on October 24-26.
Participants can expect to enjoy more than sixteen hours of formal classroom instruction from seasoned industry professionals, personal discussion and interaction with academy faculty and guest lecturers, and opportunity to network and build professional personal relations with like-minded individuals interested in independent Christian filmmaking.
The CFA’s target audience is aspiring filmmakers, home educators, Christian students, and industry professionals who want to broaden their grasp of diverse skills necessary for independent Christian film production. Anyone who is interested in taking back this crucial medium for Christ would benefit greatly from this opportunity.
For additional information regarding the CFA and its vision, please visit the official website.
SAICFF & CFA TO BE COVERED LIVE ON THE REBELUTION
Last November, Alex and I were privileged to attend the film festival on its maiden voyage. We were amazed at the artistry of the films presented and at the incredible balance of character and competence Vision Forum and its staff maintained. We came away thoroughly convinced of the commitment the organizers of the SAICFF have to powerful content and equally powerful aesthetics. We went to see Christian films and we saw Christian art.
For this reason Alex and I are absolutely delighted to announce that we will be returning to the beautiful city of San Antonio from October 24-29—this time with press passes to cover both the film festival and the filmmakers academy, live, on The Rebelution.
As visionaries ourselves for cultural reformation, we join the “rebels” as the battle lines are drawn. Vision Forum Ministries has targeted a strategic medium of cultural education and for this reason we applaud and support them in their vital work. We invite you, if at all possible, to join us in San Antonio later this month, to catch a vision for independent Christian filmmaking and for cultural rebelution of the silver screen.
October 3rd, 2005 at 5:32 pm
That looks so interesting. Are you really able to broadcast live? I didn’t know you could do that…
October 3rd, 2005 at 7:40 pm
That sounds really cool! I heard about the film thingy last year, but I never really knew what it was all about or anything. I’ll have to send this post to one of my friends who is into filmaking!!
~Nella
October 3rd, 2005 at 10:56 pm
Hannah: Actually, when I said “live” I meant that we are going to be covering the festival “as-it-happens,” on the blog. We’ll be posting recaps, updates, etc. the entire academy and festivel.
Nella: That’s great! Do tell him and let us know if he decides to come. We’d love to meet him and we’d also like to keep track of anyone and everyone who decides to go based on what we post here. Thanks!
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:16 pm
This is awesome! I’d heard about this from the Vision Forum magazine, but I don’t believe we’ll have the chance to go this year. So I can’t wait for the live coverage!
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:33 pm
Hey Brett, That sounds really amazing. Wish I could come. Im glad you will be giving us the updates. Any chance of you guys coming by Colorado in the procces?
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:51 pm
Alex: That’s too bad if you won’t be able to come this year. It’s going to be amazing. I will say, this is a wave you want to get in on near the beginning. As it grows it will be harder to get involved. Plus, if you were planning on making a movie for the festival I would highly recommend you attend the festival first.
Lauren: I’m afraid it really isn’t possible for us to visit. Are you sure there’s no way for you to come see us in San Antonio?
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:53 pm
My unlce is planning on making a movie and I happen to be the one designing the graphics, and promotion material. I’ll have to send him the link, and tell him about it. I hadn’t thought of mentioning it to him…but I will now!
October 4th, 2005 at 2:42 am
Neat….we have a “Christian Film Festival” here in Western PA and its pretty good - love it when the theatres open up for Christian flicks to be shown for free.
October 4th, 2005 at 2:55 am
David: Could you describe the festival in PA a little more in-depth? Is it really a film festival in the traditional sense (i.e. films submission, judging, prizes, etc.)?
October 4th, 2005 at 3:47 am
Hey Brett,
First of all money plays a big part. I would love to go down. Are there dorms for people to stay in or houses?
I wouldn’t know anybody and I don’t think any friends could come with me.
I aslo don’t really have an intrest in film-making, but does that matter?
October 4th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
Clarification: Is there information worth learning even if I am not interested in film making?
sorry if that wasn’t clear
October 4th, 2005 at 11:50 pm
Hey Lauren,
We’d love to see you… But we completely understand if you can’t come.
They do have discounted rooms at several nearby hotels, but you’d probably need to have family or friends with you.
The complete schedule has not been released yet… But I know there were many excellent sessions last year on Christianity and the Arts and Biblical Aesthetics. Of course, the film festival is targeted at those interested in film-making… But it is a great experience. You get to watch a lot of excellent short films.
Basically, high-quality film festivals are just cool. =P
- Alex
October 5th, 2005 at 3:08 am
Could you describe the festival in PA a little more in-depth? Is it really a film festival in the traditional sense (i.e. films submission, judging, prizes, etc.)?
Unfortunately, no. This festival is about showing Christian films (Hangman’s Curse, Joshua, VeggieTales, newly premiering “The Second Chance” etc. free of charge). It lasts three days and has been quite a success the past three years.
They accept donations during this time but also usually have tables with Answers in Genesis resources and other tables with books, etc. for sale. Lots of stuff gets out to the public through it.
October 5th, 2005 at 3:35 am
Hey,
The confrence sounds cool…and I really wish I could come. Unfortunatley I don’t think I can. I asked a friend and they sounded intrested, but again I think getting plane tickets and time off of school and work for my friend might be hard to do. Thats exciting that you guys get to go though =)I hope you learn lots and have fun!
God bless!
October 5th, 2005 at 6:04 am
Attention All Home Schoolers and Home School Parents!!! A Note From Gregg Harris
This film festival is a great way to bring delight-directed study home to your home schoolers. Think about this. You are saving alot of money by teaching your children at home instead of sending them to a private Christian school. (Yes, public school is “free,” but it is also worth every penny of it.) This film festival is one way to reinvest some of what you are saving in a life-changing educational experience for your young adults.
To be brutally honest, if you do not do something like this once in a while, you are cheating your children out of the best that home schooling has to offer them. Film making is just one area of involvement to consider. Home school speech and debate is another rather expensive activity. But it is worth it. So, if its not this event, it should be something else just as exciting and expensive. Don’t try to save money on home schooling! Simply invest what you would have spent in a better, more effective way. As an experienced home-schooling father, pastor of many home schooling families and, yes, as a home school pioneer “guru,” let me tell you, this kind of decision is what separates the mediocre home schoolers from the truly excellent home schoolers. Save your money up each year to do something extraordinary for your children’s education. It is not just a matter of what you learn in the sessions, but of who you meet and the vision that will be birthed in each student’s heart.
So, here is my challenge to my young readers. Print this out and take it to your parents and ask them, “If not this, then what?” Ask them to choose something exciting to invest their hard earned time, energy and money in so that you can get the best possible home school education. Tell them that Gregg Harris says that home schooling parents also need to “Do hard things.”
October 5th, 2005 at 6:25 pm
i will be praying about this. I have written a movie script, and have friends who own a production company. Theres still a lot of work to be done, but this festival sounds like the perfect thing for me. thanks
October 5th, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Vanessa: That’s so exciting! We’ll be praying for you as you make your decision, but we would be so glad if you could come. Last year they had sessions during the festival itself on Biblical aesthetics, common mistakes of beginning directors, story-boarding, film distribution, etc. etc. etc.
It was so educational, inspiring, and encouraging. Plus, if you’re looking for actors, score writers, boom mike operators, etc. etc. etc. you’ll meet them here. It’s a great place to network.
Were you thinking of coming to the Filmmakers Academy and the Festival or just the Festival?
October 5th, 2005 at 8:34 pm
Hmmm….online classes, work, and lack of funds has always seemed to stunt me in this sort of thing….I’ll be lucky if I can keep a drivers’ license what with insurance and fuel prices!
October 5th, 2005 at 9:34 pm
David: Check out my dad’s encouragement (posted here). It basically tells your parents to spend money on your home school. So show his note to your parents and see if that helps with those problems of yours.
October 6th, 2005 at 2:37 pm
unfortunately, although i would love to go to the academy, i’m a full time college student, work part time, and serve my local church a lot - so in keeping with my prioreties, the festival would be the only option for me.
However, if God seems to be leading in this direction, a year from now might be a possibility (i’m assuming this is a yearly event)
thanks again for the information! its exciting to take thoes leaps of faith no knowing exactly what God has planned, but knowing that its going to be great
)
October 6th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
I didn’t refer to my own financial resources alone in that comment…meant the family itself. I understand a lot of homeschoolers are able to do that and…good for them…but that’s not everyone’s capability. Sorry, guys, for not being clear enough.
David
October 6th, 2005 at 5:15 pm
David: No need to apologize. Sorry for not understanding. God bless!
October 8th, 2005 at 5:06 am
Cool! That’s so exciting that you all get to go to this! I really wanted to go both last year and this year, but it just hasn’t worked out…perhaps next year…
But I’m super excited because I just found out that one of my best friends’ submissions qualified as a semi-finalist! It’s the documentary titled, “Snatch From the Fire.”
Now, I really wish I was going! I’m so glad that you will be giving updates here on your blog. I’ll be checking in frequently.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:16 am
Hey there guys!
This is John Moore, the director of the youth film ‘Bubble Trouble’.
I look forward to meeting you at the festival, and will give you any information or time you need regarding the festival films. I think it’s awesome what you’re doing.
Have a wonderful time!
In Christ, John.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:55 am
John: We look forward to meeting you! Thanks for reading. God bless!
March 25th, 2006 at 7:27 am
very interesting!
our church is talking about having a film festival in the late fall and are beginning preperations and brain stormings for the festival…
we want to do one that accepts films from indie film makers, and not neccesarily (preferably not) Christian film makers…i went to a “Christian Film Festival” that was really a Christian discussion festival through film…
you can read about it at this link if you wish: http://strangeculture.blogspot.com/2006/01/religious-film-festival-experience.html
but that’s really cool to read about what you guys are doing…thanks for sharing.
–RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com