Hundreds of Festival attendees made their way to the renowned outdoor Arneson River Theater to watch veteran performance artist George Sarris enact his “World’s Greatest Stoies Ever Told” and to listen to renown celtic baritone, Charlie Zahm.

After the opening ceremony, we asked several attendees and festival judges (David Rasmussen and Ken Carpenter) about their expectations for the weekend. Forgive the dark video, it was a dark auditorium.

Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin bless Festival Attendees with their harps.

Vision Forum shares two reports from their exciting new ministry, Everyday News Network (ENN) — a celebration of the beauty of everyday family life.

Mr. Phillips showed a five-minute clip from a Learning Channel documentary to introduce festival attendee’s to the nationally-known Duggar family, special guest speakers for the third annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

From the SAICFF website:

One of the most remarkable events on cable television took place when hundreds of thousands of viewers watched as a Christian home school family of sixteen biological children, raised their family, worked together and managed a happy, orderly household to the glory of God. Entitled, “Raising 16 Children,” this Discovery Health Channel documentary series soon became the number one special on the network. Letters began to pour in with questions and praises from men and women across the nation who were profoundly impacted by a Christian family on television that was not ashamed of their faith, and who deeply, passionately, loved children. The response was so overwhelming that Discovery commissioned three other specials including “On the Road With Sixteen Children,” and “16 Chidlren and Moving In!,” the later of which was broadcast on The Learning Channel.

God has blessed the Duggar family’s comittment to their faith in Christ, their joyful presentation of the blessing of trusting the Lord for the fruit of the womb, and the spirit of revival they have demonstrated in their approach to family life. The success of the television series attracted a great deal of national attention. The Duggar family has appeared on national television on The Today Show, CNN, the CBS Early Show and many others, where they have shared their faith and their love for the Christian family. After the birth of their last child they did seven live broadcasts in front of their house in one day.

Now the family of six girls and ten boys travels to Texas to be featured speakers at the 2006 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Attendees will get a powerful look into the way a large Christian family works together as a team in a successful project of national impact, where the goal of the family is to bless the broader culture with a love for Christ. In addition to a behind-the-scenes look at a television documentary sensation, attendees will be able to interact and ask questions and gain insights concerning the successful management of a large family. This is a very special opportunity for filmmakers, home educators, and Christian parents.

Charlie Zahm, leads festival attendees in the National Anthem.

“Every single one of the very best filmmakers of all time, including the filmmakers of our generation, have made first films, and then they made second films. And the truth about their first films is that they were much weaker and worse than their second films, etc. and it often takes four to five films for these filmmakers to become truly competent.”

“It is now possible for nobodies like us to enter into an industry that has been closed to outsiders. We can succeed outside of the machine of Hollywood. But we can create another engine outside of Hollywood, and begin to learn the same things that the beginning filmmakers learned.”

Mr. Botkin’s session tomorrow will teach us how he teaches his family to analyze film, by taking a popular film that has been lauded by both Christians and non-Christians alike and examining it theologically and artistically.

“Our vision for world change must begin with changing ourselves. What is less important is what is coming through the camera, and what is more important is what is coming out of the filmmaker, through the camera, to the world. We must show the world what is inside us — which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Stephen Kendrick, producer of the film, Facing the Giants (in theatres now), opens the event in prayer after an extended ovation from Festival attendees.

Choice Excerpts from Doug Phillips’ Welcome Address.

“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.

The third annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival has begun. The doors have opened and over 700 people are finding their seats and greating old friends as they anticipate the Opening Ceremony.

Above you see a picture of the beautiful Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center auditorium this year, and below you can enjoy an identical picture from last year’s Opening Ceremony.

Main Stage during the last year’s Film Festival.

Close-up of the Main Stage this year — below an identical close-up of last year’s stage.