Churches Making Movies Christian Film Festival Set for October 2013

Festival evolves out of contemporary church film movement

RAHWAY, N.J., Jan. 8, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Churches Making Movies Christian Film Festival today announced that it is accepting film entries for its festival slated for October 11-13, 2013 in the Rahway Arts District. The film festival, in its inaugural year, is devoted mainly to exhibiting films in all genres made by producing and media ministries, Christian organizations, and pastors. The festival is an extension of the contemporary church film movement that has risen during the last decade.

"Increasingly, churches are utilizing films to create hope and to transform hearts and minds across geographic boundaries. The festival is a platform for these films," said LaVonne McIver-James, festival founder.

THE MOVEMENT
Churches that make movies are apart of a cultural movement of churches harnessing the power of films to impact culture. For instance, the movie Courageous which challenges men to be good fathers, has had a profound impact on men across the United States. It is produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. To Save a Life, a gripping teen drama is an outreach project of California's New Song Community Church. The movie The Grace Card examines healing broken relationships by receiving God's grace. It is backed by The Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Cordova, Tennessee. This culture-impacting movement is fueled by pastors, Christian organizations, and media/producing ministries using faithful filmmaking to transform hearts and minds. Increasingly, churches are seeking to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world through films because movies have a powerful effect on people and have perhaps the greatest potential to influence culture.

THE FESTIVAL
The mission of the Churches Making Movies Christian Film Festival is to educate, energize, and empower churches to incorporate filmmaking into their ministries and to give exposure to the best in church-based films. In addition to movie screenings, the festival will offer seminars and panels for church leaders, directors, producers, actors and those interested in utilizing films as a Christian evangelical tool. The goal of the festival is to empower churches and their members to make movies that move mountains and inspire generations.

"We seek movies that depict thought-provoking stories that create meaningful conversations and spark understanding across generations, races, and cultures," said McIver-James.

Festival screenings will include movies that demonstrate Biblical concepts in entertaining ways and create a deeper understanding for people regarding their purpose and destiny in life.

For more information about the Churches Making Movies Christian Film Festival, please visit www.churchesmakingmovies.com.

Christian Newswire