Hero Dad and the Incredible Cave Rescue: Jim Cummins is an average, Christian father with an extreme imagination. He is a devoted family man who loves his wife and children. When Jim learns that his children are lost, possibly deep in the heart of a cave, he immediately assumes the role of the fearless hero. He lives out his greatest adventure as he determines to rescue them. Work schedules, lack of proper caving gear, or even an escaped convict — nothing will stop the devotion of the Hero Dad!

The Sampley children made the film to honor of their father who truly is a Hero Dad. The credits features an original song entitled, “Dad, You Are My Hero,” sang by the Sampley family.

CHORUS

Dad, you’re my hero
Fearless man standing tall
Dad, you’re my hero
Fighting for what’s right
When things are wrong.

The White Handkerchief: From Philip and Chris Leclerc and Predestined Productions comes a beautiful film in the tradition of Graham and Joel Fisher’s The Art of Play. The Leclerc brothers first film, Finally Home, was a semi-finalist in last year’s festival and they have made incredible progress since then. It is a clear front-runner for Best Young Filmmaker.

Jason Rodriguez, director of the film, Day of Reckoning, shares how the Lord has been using his film to change lives.

Like a Thousand Words: A well-made film by Matthew Ziebarth about a man who thinks he has it all together, that is, until he receives the mysterious gift of a Polaroid camera. In a Scroogean twist, the pictures it takes reveal glimpses from his past and future, confronting him with the reality of his empty life and soul.

Day of Reckoning: An excellent film by Jason Rodriguez about a reformed outlaw, now a husband and father, whose past begins to catch up with him. An surprisingly authentic Western with a strong message of redemption and forgiveness. It received a big round of applause from the audience.

The Prodigal: This half-hour short is a winsome retelling of Jesus’ most popular parable — “The Prodigal Son” — but with an interesting twist: the main character is less than three feet tall. James Wood stars as the prodigal son who leaves his parents and lives a life of icecream cones, merry-go-round rides, and lots of “friends.” This film is likely in the running for Audience Choice Award.

The prodigal thought that his girlfriend loved him, but he soon finds that she was just after his money.

Winston Churchill: Escape from Pretoria: Sam Lawlace brings us an exciting retelling of young Winston Churchill’s involvement in the Anglo-Boer war. This LEGO film brings professional quality to the SAICFF’s stop-motion category.

Stephen Kendrick, co-writer and producer of Facing the Giants, shares the incredible story behind the film. Much of it was shared earlier this week here.

Alex and Stephen Kendrick have been making movies since they were kids — with several clips shown in the Making of Facing the Giants. Instead of James Bond, they called themselves “Savings Bond.” And instead of Indiana Jones, “Alabama Jones.”

The hobby of making home movies continued through college, seminary and even ministry. But as Mr. Kendrick put it, “God had a bigger picture and a bigger plan.”

It wasn’t until arriving at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, that they began to see that bigger picture. They quickly learned the word ‘Himpossible’.

We are so excited about what Alex and Stephen Kendrick are doing. Their vision of impact and excellence for Christ is refreshing. As Mr. Kendrick says, “We as believers need to do things with excellence because we represent Christ.”

Impact up. Cheese down. That was the motto of their first film, Flywheel. Their second film has now grossed nearly $4.5 million, opening in Washington, D.C., this evening for the first time (D.C. area readers, take note).

Their next project? Mr. Kendrick said that they are praying for a story that will teach men to love their wives like Christ loves the church. Sounds great to us.

Mr. Ken Carpenter, producer of The Making of Facing the Giants
opens a very special evening.

The Making of Facing the Giants premieres at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

The Making of Facing the Giants, which will be available when Facing the Giants comes out on DVD, is beautiful tribute to the power of God and
the love of Sherwood Church in Albany, Georgia.