168 Alumni Advance: Jenn Gotzon, Chris Armstrong, Andrew Librizzi

(L-R) Actress Jenn Gotzon, DP Joe Osborn, director Chris Armstrong and actor Gib Gerard

A group of 168 alums including husband and wife team Chris Armstrong ("Sumo Joe") and Jenn Gotzon (168 Best Actress 2008) has finished, "God's Country," produced by Triumphant Pictures, Cecil Chambers and John Atterberry.

In his feature film directorial debut, Armstrong has won Best Director at Seattle's Gig Harbor Film Fest. The film stars Jenn Gotzon and is edited by Christopher Ridder (Best Trailer "Sumo Joe"). Joe Osborn ("Bountiful," "He's 13") served as 2nd unit director of photography. (http://www.gigharborfilmfestival.org ).

Synopsis:Meghan Doherty (Jenn Gotzon) is a driven, young real estate exec who's focus is on making money by any means necessary. Her boss (Daniel Hugh Kelly) demands she close the deal of a lifetime by defrauding Christian landowner (Michael Tolland), who must forfeit his property before he realizes the land's true worth. Meghan's budding romance (with Gib Gerard) & change of heart means a fighting chance save the land. Cast includes Suzanne Ford, Todd Duffey & Arlene Santana.

Producer Andrew Librizzi

Alumni continue to advance!

Andrew Librizzi's "Beyond the Farthest Star" is enjoying excellent audience response and the Zondervan book of the same name comes out in December 2011. See below to pre-order.

See audience responses from the second test screening:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2322079886836

If you haven't yet, please "like" us on FACEBOOK (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-the-Farthest-Star/170290344732) and CLICK Bring It! on our website (http://beyondthefartheststar.com/bring-it/) to register your vote to see BTFS at a theater near you. And don't forget to tell your circle of friends to do the same. Vote totals are essential to number of screens.

The Zondervan novel pre-order:

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Farthest-Brodie-Brock-Thoene/dp/0310336104/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313767333&sr=1-1

HERE'S WHAT CHURCH LEADERS ARE SAYING...

"History is full of heroic struggles and desperate sacrifices, but the most significant battles we face are fought within our homes for the lives and futures of our families. This conflict has never been more serious than in today's world. Beyond the Farthest Star brings this very real war into sharp focus with laser-like intensity. We were blown away by this story!"

– Best-selling, Christian authors Brock & Bodie Thoene (Against the Wind, The Gathering Storm)

“In ministering around the world, we face the real challenge of how to address the blatant, divisive attack on family relationships. This film, BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR, will have a definite positive impact on shaping and strengthening families. Intriguing, heartfelt and powerful. As a tool to talk about truth and relationship combined this movie is going to be tremendous for churches to use”

– John Hossler, CEO, Josh McDowell Ministries

"Beyond the Farthest Star is a film that will take faith-based movies to a whole new level, today and into the future."

–Bob Higley, Vice President, Trinity Broadcasting Network

"Outstanding tool for ministry. This movie will speak deeply to any person no matter their belief. Deeply moving and heartfelt!"

–Bob Mason, President, Missions International

"Gripping journey from law and condemnation into grace. It's deep reach into your heart opens doors for healing. Leads you into conversation and witnessing easily"

–Pastor Rob Gore, Faith Fellowship Church, McKinney, TX

"A compelling experience depicting God's grace and unconditional love. A well-acted and executed film with a strong evangelical message!"

–Peggy O'Connor, Executive Producer, Legacy Films

"Overwhelming representation of God's Love, Grace and the Law! I can't stop crying!"

Pastor Toni Gore, Faith Fellowship Church, McKinney, TX

"This is the most accessible Christian movie to a non-Christian audience that I have ever seen!"

Associate Pastor Zane Sipes, Clearpath Church, Mesquite, TX

"These are the movies that NEED to be made!"

–Edwin "Sparky" Sparks, Edwin & Toni Sparks Ministry

"Story of transformational grace!"

–Zack Smithson, Pastor, Church of the Nazarene

“The dialogue is rich and honest. The relationships, well-drawn. The strongest relationship is between Adam and Maurene. It is rich, complicated and touching, and is the beating heart of the story. The whole family, in fact, is vibrant and alive; their history is vivid and present. I believe the transformation that the family takes … I love the living Nativity.”

– Sheila Gallien, script consultant for Academy Award-winning writer William Broyles Jr. (Flags of Our Fathers, Jarhead, Polar Express, Castaway and Apollo 1.

168 Film Festival 2012: Book the Alex Theatre Now!

Hey Y'all,

Here's a fun way to really help out the 168 community.

We need to raise all the money for this 12-hour day at the Alex Theater for the 168 Film Festival on March 31, 2012. That's $10,000.

Please help us today by making a donation and telling your friends to do likewise.

There are cool perks for donating.

Picture thousands at the 168 Film Festival walking the red carpet at the Alex Theater movie palace, Sat., March 31, 2012.

The Alex is the BEST way to inspire our filmmakers, but we need your help because it costs $10,000 for the day!

There are perks for small and large donations: VIP Party Invite, VIP Tickets, Your Name in the Program Book and more. Please tell all your friends! You could empower the next Steven Spielberg!

Wildflower Film Project Interview with David Roland

For Interview with Organizer

David Roland, Click Here

John David Ware and some of the Wildflower Film Project Committee

I just returned from Temple, Texas (2 hours from Dallas) to speak with area church leaders and to consult with a very ambitious group based at the Temple Bible Church.

The Wildflower Film Project began as a charity fund-raiser for the Salvation Army of East Bell County, Texas. According to organizer David Roland, "The original plan was for a fashion show. However, the committee struggled to make that happen. Through what I call divine intervention, the focus changed from a fashion show to the beginnings of a Christian Film Festival. Co-Stars, Kevin Sizemore and Boo Arnold were invited to come and present the film, 'Useless,' which won Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay honors at 168 Film Festival."

On July 28, Kevin and Boo presented the film and their testimonies. The response to this event was so positive that plans were immediately begun for the 2012 film festival benefitting the Salvation Army of East Bell County.

Goals for the Wildflower Film Project are: To promote films of Christian values, with high moral character and integrity, To reach school-aged kids in both public and private schools and to provide practical experience in all filmmaking and related disciplines.

Wildflower Film Project will provide an opportunity for school-aged students to demonstrate a high level of understanding of course content through the medium of filmmaking. Like 168, this is a timed film production contest.

Eligible students include grades 4-12, which are split into three divisions. Students will use the art and science of filmmaking as a demonstration of their level of knowledge and understanding of school content. In conjunction with existing course work, the kids will research class subjects and write a film script, which they will oversee through production and post-production.

Teachers or school administrators will supervise. All cast and crew must come from the school community. Professionals (cast or crew) may only participate in an advisory capacity. The film must be student directed, and students will be at least 75% of the cast. No profanity of any variety is acceptable.

For authenticity, adults may be cast from the school district. The entry fee is $50 submitted with the contract.

Finalists will be notified before the end of the academic school year. All films will be shown throughout Temple and Belton. Each team will introduce their film for the viewing audience and complete an interview by the Final Awards Jury.

I asked organizer David Roland some questions:

How do you plan to get other schools to cooperate?

"I believe the enticement for students (at any age) is in meeting Hollywood personalities, and possibly getting an award or two. School recognition and outstanding accomplishments go very far in a campus's overall academic rating AND they also provide prestige to the campus which may be used when applying for state or district grants and extra funding. For teachers, learning how to use film as a tool demonstrating student knowledge could be a valuable tool over paper and pencil assessments, and less expensive too, said Roland "

What else you want people to know about this?

"As a mission-minded person, I want to encourage others to embrace filmmaking as a way of sharing taking the Gospel throughout our world and as a tool for documenting how God has blessed those who call upon Him for salvation, forgiveness, and mercy. The Wildflower Film Project isn't just about supporting the mission and ministry of the Salvation Army, it is also a collective Christian voice saying we will make films of high moral integrity, and of praise to the Father AND they will be entertaining and enjoyable, he said."

Tell me how 168 has influenced your plans to date.

"For me, 168 is the model to follow; encouraging Christians to take the step, move forward and tell the stories, the stories of Jesus, of the Father's love for His creation of His mercy, of His forgiveness. Because of the 168 Film Project, we have been inspired to encourage central Texas storytellers with this project," Roland said.

168 Helping Birth Wildflower Film Project for Kids

Public Event: "What is the 168 Film Project and Why is Media So Crucial to Our World?" Speaker: John David Ware Founder and Director of the 168 Film Project.

Sept 10, 9:30-11:30, Wildflower Country Club, 4902 Wildflower Lane, Temple, TX 76502-4804

I am going to Temple, Texas (2 hours from Dallas) to speak with area church leaders and to consult with a very ambitious group based at the Temple Bible Church (weekly attendance 4,000). This project warms my heart, because #1 it is a sort of outgrowth of the 168 Film Project and 2, it is aimed at kids.

I believe that if we do not tell our kids the good news of Jesus Christ, then they and the whole world suffers. Want proof, watch the news. No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.

The Wildflower Film Project began as a charity fund-raiser for the Salvation Army of East Bell County, Texas. According to organizer David Roland, "The original plan was for a fashion show. However, the committee struggled to make that happen. Through what I call divine intervention, the focus changed from a fashion show to the beginnings of a Christian Film Festival. Co-Stars, Kevin Sizemore and Boo Arnold were invited to come and present the film, 'Useless,' which won Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay honors at 168 Film Festival."

On July 28, Kevin and Boo presented the film and their testimonies. The response to this event was so positive that plans were immediately begun for the 2012 film festival benefitting the Salvation Army of East Bell County.

Goals for the Wildflower Film Project are: To promote films of Christian values, with high moral character and integrity, To reach school-aged kids in both public and private schools and to provide practical experience in all filmmaking and related disciplines.

Wildflower Film Project will provide an opportunity for school-aged students to demonstrate a high level of understanding of course content through the medium of filmmaking. Like 168, this is a timed film production contest.

Eligible students include grades 4-12, which are split into three divisions. Students will use the art and science of filmmaking as a demonstration of their level of knowledge and understanding of school content. In conjunction with existing course work, the kids will research class subjects and write a film script, which they will oversee through production and post-production.

Teachers or school administrators will supervise. All cast and crew must come from the school community. Professionals (cast or crew) may only participate in an advisory capacity. The film must be student directed, and students will be at least 75% of the cast. No profanity of any variety is acceptable.

For authenticity, adults may be cast from the school district. The entry fee is $50 submitted with the contract.

Finalists will be notified before the end of the academic school year. All films will be shown throughout Temple and Belton. Each team will introduce their film for the viewing audience and complete an interview by the Final Awards Jury.

I asked organizer David Roland some questions:

How do you plan to get other schools to cooperate?

"I believe the enticement for students (at any age) is in meeting Hollywood personalities, and possibly getting an award or two. School recognition and outstanding accomplishments go very far in a campus's overall academic rating AND they also provide prestige to the campus which may be used when applying for state or district grants and extra funding. For teachers, learning how to use film as a tool demonstrating student knowledge could be a valuable tool over paper and pencil assessments, and less expensive too, said Roland "

What else you want people to know about this?

"As a mission-minded person, I want to encourage others to embrace filmmaking as a way of sharing taking the Gospel throughout our world and as a tool for documenting how God has blessed those who call upon Him for salvation, forgiveness, and mercy. The Wildflower Film Project isn't just about supporting the mission and ministry of the Salvation Army, it is also a collective Christian voice saying we will make films of high moral integrity, and of praise to the Father AND they will be entertaining and enjoyable, he said."

Tell me how 168 has influenced your plans to date.

"For me, 168 is the model to follow; encouraging Christians to take the step, move forward and tell the stories, the stories of Jesus, of the Father's love for His creation of His mercy, of His forgiveness. Because of the 168 Film Project, we have been inspired to encourage central Texas storytellers with this project," Roland said.