Choice Excerpts from Doug Phillips’ Welcome Address.

“We aren’t here to curse the darkness, but to start lighting candles.”

“Our purpose is not to get people out of media. But to make more and more good media. Our purpose is not to dismiss film, which is a lawful, legitimate means of glorifying God.”

“We want to be storming the gates of our culture and communicating the truest things, the most beautiful things.”

“Our goal is not just to replace Hollywood. But to build up alternative visual media which upholds the highest biblical ideals.”

“We have the opportunity to use tools that use to be too expensive for anyone but the most highly funded filmmakers.”

“This is the greatest time in history to be an independent Christian filmmaker.”

“For the first time Christian Filmmakers have access to good training — training that includes both sound theology and technical excellence.”

“God is raising up young me and women, building a network. God is raising up young people with big dreams and bringing them together.”

“When you walk away I hope your hearts will be filled, your minds will be stretch, and you will go away better men and women for being here this week.”

“This is the greatest time in history to be an independent Christian filmmaker.”

SAICFF Mission Statement

1. To encourage the production of films which inspire the highest ideals, the clearest and most noble biblical values, and which do so with a commitment to holiness.

2. To motivate the next generation of Christian filmmakers to create “epistemologically self-conscious films” — films that reflect a distinctively and presuppositionally biblical worldview. We want our applicants to strive to bring “into captivity every [frame] to the obedience of Christ.”

3. To offer a joyful vision of victory and hope to the burgeoning movement among home educators and other Christian students, amateurs, and professionals committed to taking advantage of our current technological revolution, to advance the work of Jesus Christ on this earth through the medium of film.

4. To facilitate the development of alternative and independent vehicles for producing and distributing films outside the Hollywood machine, which will build, bless, and benefit the American family.

5. To provide a platform for Christians to present their art, to network with others, and to encourage independent Christian filmmakers in their mission by offering appropriate recognition for excellence in Christian film production.