Festival Testimonials

Jubilee Award Opens Doors to Market Films

I was the winner in your film festival ‘Creation Films” category. Right after my first screening, the Vice President of Marketing from [name withheld] took [my wife] and I to dinner to discuss publishing the project! They are discussing it right now and wish to fly me to [location] to discuss particulars. I understand you called them to tell them about the festival. Thank you so much. I’ll keep you posted on what transpires.

—Wes Olson, Jubilee Award Winner, ‘Best of Creation”

Building Networks

I did not get a chance to talk to you at the festival this weekend, but I wanted you to know that it was an inspiring, encouraging event. I wholeheartedly support your mission/vision of taking back culture for the Lord Jesus Christ through Christian film.

Thank you for spearheading this effort. Now, about the effort. It is my belief that in addition to annual festivals, an ongoing communication network between Christian Filmmakers at all levels is needed to help us to develop our craft and tackle film projects too large to be done individually. I met some people this weekend and have began forming a network of my own...Thank you for your time, and thank you again for this program.

—Ray J.

Wonderful New Opportunities

Let me thank you and Vision Forum for having this event in San Antonio. It was very exciting to see the gathering of people with a similar desire and passion, and to see the pool of talent that God is gathering together.

For the past 5 or 6 years, God has been stirring in my heart this desire to see redemptive, life-changing films for the glory of God. Over the years, as I travel to various media events and conferences, I meet Christians who have such a heart for media, and a heart to see that media used for God’s glory; yet, many of them are directionless. They are full of zeal, but have no guidance or organization that they can turn to for information and resources. That’s what excites me about this new movement....

There are so many great media tools today — NLEs, digital cameras, Internet, etc. — and they are very affordable. As an example, I have own all of my own media production equipment. I can literally make my own entire film from scratch, and do it with incredible quality. I can use those things of the world to do God’s work, without becoming attached to them. That is very exciting! What a great technological age we live in today! ... Thank you again for your hard work in this area, and may God continue to bless you and guide you as we step into this new and exciting area of ministry!

— Russell Pond, Semi-Finalist, 2004 Jubilee Awards

A Tremendous Event

Thank you for your hard work to bring this festival together! It was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to many people, myself included. I learned a lot, and will continue to learn as I listen to the lectures on tape. The vision of a replacement film industry — one that glorifies God rather than the devil — is a great one, and I believe that God will bless it!... Again, the festival, in my opinion, was a great success, and will probably only get better every year! I was unable to enter a film this year, but I intend to do so next year. May God bless you all!

—David T.

Breaking Out of Hollywood Film Culture

Thank you for having the vision and boldness to break out of the Hollywood film culture. I am excited and look forward to the new film alternative.

—Phil P.

A Dream Has Become a Reality

Thank you so much for putting together the film festival this last weekend. We have been looking for something like this for a long time. I’m very glad you have taken the initiative to make it a reality. Thanks again.

—Caleb V.

Review of Film Festival

The film festival search can be a daunting one for new filmmakers. There are literally thousands online leading some to believe that filmmakers themselves have started backyard festivals to finance their own projects. Before searching through droves of film festivals online, a filmmaker must find his film’s strengths then devise a plan. After deciding that our film (about Mary and Joseph) would not fare well at the top ten festivals, we chose to submit to Christian/religious, Family and video-only type venues.

To lend context I must begin by saying that our short film has screened in a handful of small festivals this year. Each one has slowly eroded my expectations. In general, the artsy, unorganized screenings usually start late and end in disappointment. My wife and I sat through one film where the camera was rotated at different speeds on a tripod placed at White Sands, NM. For 7-minutes the camera spun as the music’s pace increased and the audience became nauseous. The credits rolled about 18 names for crewmembers!

Digital cameras have made the Spielberg dream accessible to the masses but should festival audiences suffer through the trials of clumsy amateurs? I say, absolutely not...and apparently some Christians agree.

When I first found the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival online I was surprised. What a giant name...and a giant $10k grand prize! The web page is neat and easy to navigate but strict rules (Ten Festival Commandments) prohibit all kinds of things from entries. Were these people uptight, religious fanatics? Not exactly.

Our film was accepted into the festival and after the first screening my wife and I knew this experience was going to be different. The staff was organized, professional and the screenings always started on time. But that’s only half the story because when the lights went down you could almost guarantee an entertaining screening.

The films in this year’s competition were not overtly Christian messages intended to bring salvation to audiences. Most of them were intensely personal stories about common issues -just like real films. After speaking with the festival director, Doug Phillips, I discovered the selection was deliberately focused on positive messages, free from religious propaganda.

This will easily be the biggest and the best Christian Film Festival in years to come. That comment is not intended to stroke any egos. Honestly, if you want to attend a festival that’s committed to quality -this is the one. I plan to watch it closely and submit my films as often as possible.