Deadline for Christian Indy Film Fest Nears; $101K Prize Touted as Largest
Independent filmmakers looking to enter their work in the film festival with the top cash prize won't find it at a secular venue anymore.
They'll find it at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), which upped their top prize this year to more than $101,000 – the largest cash prize payout among film festivals worldwide.
But with the Oct. 1 deadline approaching, there's little time left to dilly-dally.
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"Thanks to the generous donation of a private foundation, the SAICFF now has prize money available to help encourage Christian filmmakers who are engaging this critical arena of the arts," announced Doug Phillips, founder of the SAICFF, earlier this year.
"This world class grand prize sends a message that Christians are serious about investing in those independent Christian filmmakers who are willing to work outside of Hollywood, and to produce competitive films of technical excellence, with a presuppositionally biblical message," he added.
The latest boost to the SAICFF comes as the independent Christian film industry has enjoyed mainstream praise and box office success for low-budget indy films such as "Facing the Giants," and most recently "Fireproof," which debuted this past weekend at No. 4. Privately-financed blockbusters have challenged the conventional wisdom on issues of marketing, distribution and ticket sales.
"Purse strings of liberal filmmakers have financed anti-Christian values and moral decadence through film for decades," remarked Phillips. "They have had their day, and now is the time for a Christian reformation in filmmaking."
Since firming up plans to offer a $101,000 Grand Prize at the upcoming film festival, the SAICFF has secured festival sponsorships from the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) Network, Samaritan Ministries, Panavision, among others.
"We are thankful for our sponsors" Phillips stated. "And we welcome others who desire to help us spread the word about this new opportunity, as well as those who want to aid us financially in expanding this effort."
Since 2004, SAICFF has showcased the work of Christian filmmakers who are seeking to counter the worldly influence of secular films. Each year more than 130 films are submitted by budding Christian filmmakers for a chance at winning one of the festival's coveted Jubilee Awards, if not more.
For its fifth annual festival, SAICFF will give out awards in the following categories: Best of Film Festival; Best Documentary Short; Best Dramatic Short Film; Best Creation Film; Best Biblical Family Film; Best Promotional Media; Best Commercial Advertisement; Best Young Filmmakers Short; Best Trailer; Audience Choice Award; Best Treatment; Best Original Score (Special Award)
The deadline for film submissions is Nov. 1 for feature films and Oct. 1 for all other film categories.
The upcoming festival in the Alamo City will be held Jan. 8-10, 2009.
On the Web:
independentchristianfilms.com.
