6/26/13

168 FILM FESTIVAL FINALISTS ANNOUNCED-GRAND PRIZE UP TO $1 MIL



168 Film Festival Red Carpet Arrivals


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: John Bergin
info@168project.com



168 FILM FESTIVAL NARROWS CONTENDERS TO 22
IN THE HUNT FOR THE GRAND PRIZE OF
A FEATURE FILM BUDGET UP TO $1 MILLION

Celebrity Talent Includes Steven Baldwin (“Celebrity Apprentice”), Emayatzy Corinealdi (“Middle of Nowhere”) and Rachel Hendrix (“October Baby”).

Fifty-Eight Slots Remain for the Aug. 8-10 Festival in Glendale, CA

LOS ANGELES (June 26, 2013) -- Twenty-two short narrative films out of 152 submissions to the 11th annual 168 Film Project (http://168film.com) -- whereby filmmakers get seven days (168 hours) to shoot and edit a 10-min.-or-less short based on scripture -- have been named finalists, eligible for the Grand Prize, a feature film budget up to $1 Million from Presenting Sponsor EchoLight Studios, it was announced today by 168 Film Project Director John David Ware.

The balance of the Official Selections to the 168 Film Festival will be posted soon to www.168film.com, including Documentaries, Student, Animation and Write of Passage Spotlight Films made from 168’s speed short screenwriting competition.  Screening schedules and nominations will be announced after July 4th.

Of 22 finalists, there are seven international teams: Australia (4), South Africa (2) and Canada (1).  Finalists from the USA are from California (6), Texas (3), Georgia (2), Colorado (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), and Virginia (1).

The 2013 jury includes: Brian Bird, Writer/producer "When Calls the Heart;" Doug Butts, SVP of Programming at INSP; David L. Cunningham, Director "The Path to 911" and To End All Wars" starring Kiefer Sutherland; Leilani Downer, Writer "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air;" Bill Ewing, Producer, "End of the Spear;" Gary Hall, SVP of Fox Television Post Production, Beverly Holloway, Casting Director; Susana Zepeda, Sr. Director of Video Production at Fandango, NBCUniversal; Naima Lett, Producer, Brian S. Chan, Pastor at One Thing Hollywood and Alan Miller, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Hollywood.

"We congratulate our filmmakers who took the challenge and got it done in 168 hours," said 168 founder and director John David Ware. “With the massive increase in talent and skill, absolutely every film is a must-see."

Approximately 80 short films will unspool at the 168 Film Festival in Glendale at the Performing Arts Center, 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205, Aug. 8, 9 and 10, 2013.  The Sat. Aug. 10 awards show will include the Grand Prize presentation.

Festival tickets range from $15 to $59 for a VIP Pass. Tickets are on sale at http://168film.com.  Student, and Senior Discounts are available.  Parental discretion suggested for children 12 and under.



168 FILM FESTIVAL FINALISTS FOR 2013 ARE:

Australia:

Elizabeth and Judah Simard's "Paladin" (Team 40, Brisbane, AUS) is based on Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (NIV)   Logline: Can battling brothers break free from the seedy prize-fighting underworld?

Aaron Kamp's "Never Too Late" (Team 41, Perth, AUS) is based on Exodus 32:31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. (NIV) Logline: Stealing a fresh look at life demands courage to change.

Dana Newell and Christopher W. Bailey’s “Lost in the Dark” (Team 73, Lillyfield, AUS) is based on Exodus 21:23-25 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (NIV) Logline: A woman must reconcile with her captors or be thrown to the creatures of darkness.

Lyle and Lisa Carey's "The Red File" (Team 142, Sydney, AUS) Exodus 29:33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat them, because they are sacred. (NIV)  Logline: Michael's red-hot appetite for success forces a new diet.

Canada:

Justin Machnik's "Fathers & Sons" (Team 53, Calgary, CAN) is based on Ezekiel 16:63 Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV)  Logline: An abusive father's passing gives his son unexpected revelation.

South Africa:

Diane and Shane Vermooten’s “Freedom Road” (Team 116, Cape Town, South Africa) is based on Exodus 30:15 The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. (NIV) Logline: A woman comes face-to-face with her husband's murderer in South Africa's apartheid era.

John DeVries’ comedy “Scapegoat” (Team 121, Cape Town, South Africa) is based on Exodus 30:16 Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives. (NIV)  Logline: An American tourist becomes the goat as he spoils a young African's plans.

U.S.A:

Kimberleigh Rene and Gary Voelker's "Abound" (Team 10, Arlington, VA) is based on Romans 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. (NIV) Logline: A rebellious daughter takes her cue from a pool hustler.

Peter Wigand’s “Blood” (Team 102, Aurora, CO) is based on Exodus 30:10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord. (NIV)  Logline: Battling his shameful sins, a man struggles to truly accept God's forgiveness.

Joshua Porter’s “Fin Del Ano” (Team 103, Columbus, OH) is based on Leviticus 25:29 Anyone who sells a house in a walled city retains the right of redemption a full year after its sale. During that time the seller may redeem it. (NIV) Logline: A horse trainer sees the heart of a champion.

Ashley Hollingsworth and Jared Hogan’s “The Good Thief” (Team 143, Charlotte, NC) is based on Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. (NIV)  Logline: Temptations are many, even after prison.

California:

Joth Riggs’ “HEARTFALL” (Team 59, Westlake Village, CA) is based on Leviticus 1:4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. (NIV) Logline: A young woman struggles to reconcile with her father after a family tragedy.

April Garwood’s “Bullied” (Team 99, Hollywood, CA) is based on 1 Samuel 2:24-25A No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord‘s people is not good. If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them? (NIV) Logline: A bully realizes the impact of her cruelty.

Wes Halula and Chris Robert’s “Stop Traffick” (Team 105, Montrose, CA) is based on Jeremiah 50:34 Yet, their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. (NIV)  Logline: A suburban mom turns vigilante to rescue her daughter from the sex trade.

Nathanael Matanick’s “ReMoved” (Team 111, Carpinteria, CA) is based on Hebrews 12:2b For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV) Logline: A girl relives her painful journey through foster care.

Kors & Kim Vandiver's "LU" (Team 114, Los Angeles, CA) is based on Romans 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (NIV) Logline: A marine searches for a woman he wounded during a firefight in Iraq.

Elizabeth Hewes' comedy "The Trouble with Gum" (Team 146, Cypress, CA) is based on Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. (NIV) Logline: Who knew something so small could cause so much trouble?

Texas:

Chris Wiegand's "Ferre" (Team 38, Dallas TX) is based on Leviticus 1:4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. (NIV) Logline: An orphan's journey hinges on his new best friend.

Brandon Carmichael and Mark Blitch's “The Traveler” (Team 70. Plano, TX) is based on Leviticus 4:26 He shall burn all the fat on the altar as he burned the fat of the fellowship offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the leader’s sin, and he will be forgiven. (NIV) Logline: Grieving parents can fix the past, by paying the ultimate price.

Sondra Hicks “It's Not About Me” (Team 118, Richmond, TX) is based on Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.  This is your true and proper worship. (NIV).  Logline: Rebekah's cancer causes her and her friends to celebrate her life.

Georgia:

Josh McKague and Adam Dukes’ “The Disquieted” (Team 133, Dawsonville, GA) is based on Jeremiah 50:34 Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. (NIV) Logline: A wife's infidelity leads to her captivity.

Nate Pope’s “Justice Interrupted” (Team 144, Evans, GA) is based on Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (NIV) Logline: A superhero is publicly shamed after breaking the law he supposedly protects.

# # #