All SAICFF Semi-Finalists and Finalists to Receive Distribution Contracts

This just in from Vision Forum...

The SAICFF Blazes Trail for Filmmakers:
All Semi-Finalists and Finalists to Receive Distribution Contracts

SAN ANTONIO, TX — September, 30, 2008 — The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), host to the largest cash prize in the world awarded to a single filmmaker, is breaking new ground for independent filmmakers by facilitating downloadable media film distribution contracts to all semi-finalists and finalists competing for Jubilee Awards during their January 8-10 competition.

The opportunity is being forged through a strategic partnership between the SAICFF and a national media distribution company and sponsor of the SAICFF which has agreed to actively distribute independent Christian films accepted as SAICFF semi-finalists through the sponsor's online download platform. All filmmakers whose submissions are accepted as semi-finalists for the SAICFF's annual film competition will be given the opportunity to sell their video for download — regardless of whether or not the films win an award.

"For years, independent Christian filmmakers have struggled to find financially viable distribution streams for their films," noted Doug Phillips, founder of the SAICFF. "We are pleased to announce that an important step has been taken to meet this challenge."

"Those filmmakers who pursue this option will have their films available for sale the week of the festival itself. Kiosks will be provided by the sponsor at the event for festival attendees to download the semi-finalist films onsite," Phillips explained. "If a festival attendee views a film and likes it, he can purchase the film right then, right there."

Read the rest of this news release here.

What download store do you think they're talking about? What does this mean for the future of DVD? Filmmakers, are you excited about this opportunity? Will you allow your film(s) to be sold in downloadable format? I want to hear from you!

A book worth reading

I just finished reading The Love Dare, by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. It's a fabulous book - not just for people with struggling marriages, but for anyone who is (or hopes to one day be) married. I highly recommend The Love Dare, now available at BiblicalWorldviewMedia.com!

The numbers are in!

On Saturday, I predicted that Fireproof would gross at least $5.5 million on opening weekend. The numbers are in and Fireproof has grossed an estimated $6.5 million domestically!

Remember when Facing the Giants made news headlines because it made $10 million? That was $10 million in its entire theatrical run! Facing the Giants made a mere $1.3 million on opening weekend.

So how far will Fireproof go when it has run its course? $30 million? $40? $50? Let's wait and see!

Fireproof makes $2 million on opening day!

Fireproof, which opened in 839 theaters yesterday, has already grossed an estimated $2.3 million domestically. This places it at No. 3 on the movie charts for Friday the 26th. Opening weekend is the most crucial time for gauging a movie's box-office potential. Success on the first weekend could prompt the distributor to release the movie in more theaters next weekend.

Based on past box-office statistics, I predict that Fireproof will gross at least $5.5 million on opening weekend...at least. The $10 million that Facing the Giants grossed will seem paltry when Fireproof has run its course.

Fireproof Producer to Address Christian Filmmakers Academy Students

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — September 26, 2008 — Fireproof co-producer Stephen Kendrick has agreed to rejoin the Christian Filmmakers Academy (CFA) for their fourth annual filmmakers bootcamp which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on Jaunary 5-7, 2009. Kendrick — who last year gave Academy students a behind-the-scenes sneak-preview of Fireproof, the Kendrick 's feature film which hits 850 theaters nationwide today — will share with students at the 2009 Academy in-depth production insights as well as other lessons learned in making a successful independent Christian film.


"We are pleased to have Stephen Kendrick join us once again for our Christian Filmmakers Academy," stated Doug Phillips, founder of San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival and the Christian Filmmakers Academy.

"The success that the Kendrick brothers have achieved through their films Facing and Giants and Fireproof offers clear testimony to the impact that outside-the-box Christian filmmakers can have on our culture," Phillips remarked. "Their example offers many lessons that we believe other up-and-coming Christian filmmakers who will be joining us next January can learn from."

Read the rest of this news story here.

The Love Dare

How's this for a success story?

Fireproof: The Movie comes to theaters this Friday. But even before the movie releases, one of its "plot points" is making news headlines. In the movie, firefighter Caleb Holt prepares to enter divorce proceedings, but Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: "The Love Dare."

"The Love Dare" was an imaginary book created by the filmmakers as a major plot point. However, pre-screenings for the movie left audiences asking, "How can I get the book?" So Alex and Stephen Kendrick decided to write the book for real. Now, "The Love Dare" could become the top-selling Christian book of 2008. Less than a week before the movie releases, the book has already sold over 300,000 copies!

Read the news story here.

Post delay

Sorry, folks. I won't be able to post what I had planned for today. It's been a very busy week. However, be sure to check back next week because I have some very interesting movie news that's just waiting to be typed and published!

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The next John Williams

One of my favorite composers now has a website to showcase his fine work. Benjamin Botkin has been composing music for films since 2005. If you've seen The League of Grateful Sons, Men O' War, Jamestown, or Return of the Daughters, then you've heard the masterful music compositions of Ben Botkin.

Check out his website to hear some epic music samples!

Pendragon almost complete!

Chad Burns, director of the Pendragon movie, gave the following update on the movie website:

Last night, we locked the edit on Pendragon. This moment has been a long time in coming. After thousands of hours of painstaking work by many people, the edit is finished.

The meaning of this small statement is huge. Finally, after 3 years of blood, sweet and tears, after hundreds of hours of work on the script and nearly as many revisions, after 15 grueling weeks of shooting, after working with hundreds and hundreds of friends we didn’t have at the beginning – Pendragon is finally poised to be completed.

Time is running out for this movie to be completed. They want to meet the SAICFF deadline of November 1st. What they need most is prayer and financial support. It's expensive to produce a major motion picture like Pendragon. Currently, they are spending around $1000 per week to keep the project going. Donations can be made here.

A timely film for McCain/Palin supporters

Fireproof premier attended by 4000

I gathered the following quotes from Waitsel's comments about the Fireproof premier.

It was standing room only at the 4,000-seat Fox Theater in Atlanta Friday night, as the Cathy family of Chick-fil-A fame hosted the premier of Alex and Stephen Kendrick's new film Fireproof. There were free tickets, free popcorn and drinks, and a more-than-generous gift bag containing three books and a dozen other items for everyone present.

I found this next paragraph to be especially interesting.

The two stars, Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea, talked about how they got the parts and what it meant to them. Especially revealing was what Cameron had to say about how he handled the kiss near the end, since he had committed himself to never sharing his lips with anyone but his wife. He solved the problem by flying his wife in for the kissing scene, and having her double for Ms. Bethea. I thought that was genius, and it brought tears to all our eyes and a standing ovation from the crowd.

Click here to read more.