State of the Union of Faith & Film

168 Film Project Poster 2011

by Mike Rutland

The Bad News: The "easy money" has dried up

The Good News: The heart of the filmmaker is resilient. Faith and Family Films are trending upward. The success of "The Blind Side" has made studios giddy for "Blind Side II" and the faith and family genre.

The "168" filmmakers are part of the trend. Being on the cutting edge of entertainment was the role of people of faith in the time of Michelangelo. And we can get there again!

Thousands across the country are feeling the call of the arts and coming to Hollywood to produce media that will uplift the human condition and honor the Maker.

Teams are forming (current count 73) and preparing for their ordeal. They will grow from the 168 experience in amazing ways.

As they take the journey to make their 168 films, they are instructed to be careful to allow the verse to inspire the journey and the story. Thus they will feel the full power of the experience as it takes them to dizzying heights. The theme from which all the verses will be taken is:

"SECOND CHANCES"

Romans 3 says, "There is none righteous, no not one--All have turned away." We long for redemption and new opportunity in our lives because everyone has "blown it." But each day brings a chance for rebirth and repentance, a possibility to run the race with renewed hope. Powered by the love of the Creator, we awake each morning to breathe new life into our dreams, our goals and our relationships. A second chance is offered. Don't miss the opportunity.

And what are we (168) doing at an 80,000 attendee electronics show in Sin City, LAS VEGAS? We're bringing a fresh look at the good book.

The best "168" films will screen at the first annual Faith 'N' Film Summit at NAB Show on Sunday, April 10th. It's a day of education, networking and a John David Ware moderated panel discussion with TBN's Paul Crouch Jr, Ken Wales, Producer of "Amazing Grace" and Brian Bird, writer/producer "Touched by an Angel."

Here is the remainder of the schedule for the 168 Film Project 2011. There's still time to get in (until Sunday, Feb. 6).

Team Signup Deadlines:

Int'l Teams – Mon, Jan 31

All USA Teams – Sun, Feb. 6

Verse Assignment: This marks the start of Pre-Production Week

Int'l Teams – Mon, Jan 31, 7:00-9:00 PM (email)

USA (outside SoCal) – Sun, Feb. 6, 8:00-9:00 PM (by phone or email)

Southern California –Mon, Feb. 7, 7:00-9:00 PM

168 L.A. Casting: Actors by invitation. Sat, Feb. 12, 8am-7pm (Submit via www.actorssaccess.com: "168 Film Project 2011"). Up to 40 producers & 400 Actors.

Production Week Start: Cameras can roll at 11 AM Local Time

International Teams – Fri, Feb. 11. USA (outside SoCal) - Thurs, Feb. 17. SoCal – Fri, Feb. 18

Film Turn-in Deadlines:

International – Fri, Feb. 18 – Must be overnight postmarked by 11:00 AM (Local Time). USA (outside SoCal) – Thurs, Feb. 24 – Must be overnight postmarked by 11:00 AM (Local Time). Mailing address: 145 S. Glenoaks Blvd, #159, Burbank, CA 91502.

SoCal – Fri. Feb 25, 11:00 AM.

168 Film Festival 2011: Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1 (Hope Theatre); Saturday, April 2 (Alex Theatre) Glendale, CA

Faith 'N' Film Summit at NAB Show: April 10, 2011 Las Vegas, NV