The 2011 International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) Catalyst Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 6-9, ended with a bang with the announcement of winners at its culminating event, The Crown Awards.
Among the Gold Award recipients are “Torchlighters: The Amy Carmichael Story" for Best Children’s Film; “Clancy” for Drama Under $250,000; “The Frontier Boys” for Best Youth Film and Best Drama Over $250,000; and “Finding Hope Now” and “The Lost Medallion” tying for Best Picture. For the complete list of winners, click here.
With this year's theme of "For Such a Time," the 2011 ICVM has, indeed, encouraged Christian film professionals to use their talents and resources to impact the world with a Christian world view in a day and time when the culture suffers from a lack of values and spirituality. Speakers throughout the conference re-iterated the importance of reaching the world through media.
Gracing the 2011 ICVM spotlight are the “who's who” in Christian media, including evangelist and author Anne Graham Lotz, author/speaker Josh McDowell, Gospel for Asia founder and president K.P. Yohannan and VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. “The world is in such desperate need of our point of view,” said Vischer. “To take the gospel and put it into story is how we can touch the world.” McDowell challenged attendees to be that segment of the body of Christ that comes up with the most creative answers, both intellectually and morally, to provide real substance to reach this generation.
Seminar speakers who shared valuable entertainment media tips included the renowned casting director Mark Fincannon, Side by Side Films director Rick Garside, multi-awarded filmmaker Gary Wheeler, Cross.tv founders David W. Balsiger, of Grizzly Adam Productions, and Andreas Kisslinger, script consultant Linda Seger, Movieguide founder Ted Baehr, Birchwood Pictures' Larry Frenzel, and Canadian screenwriter Kevin Miller.
Sherwood Baptist Church senior pastor Michael Catt led conference participants each morning with prayer and devotion. Praise leader Steve Warnecke provided music. Comedian Kenn Kington emceed the Crown Awards on the closing night.
Attendance at the event included people from all aspects of media—from producers, directors, screenwriters, actors, distributors, composers, and more. Besides the illustrious seminar and keynote speakers, other notable industry leaders in attendance included: Parables TV’s Isaac Hernandez, Christian Women in Media founder and president Suellen Roberts; actor Thom Rachford (“A Thief in the Night”), PassionateWomen.tv's Maralee Dawn; filmmaker and ChristianCinema.com founder Bobby Downes (“Like Dandelion Dust”); and comedian Torry Martin.
Among the movies shown at ICVM were Vertical Praise Productions' "Finding Hope Now," Cross Wind Productions' "The Guardian," Grizzly Adams Production and Grooters Productions’ "The Frontier Boys." Also, “For the Glory” by One Voice Films premiered at ICVM.
The 2012 ICVM Catalyst Conference will be held in Orlando. For more information on ICVM or the catalyst conference, go to www.icvm.com. To see daily blogs and to watch interviews from ICVM, go to www.christianmovieconnect.com. Podcast will launch on July 27, 2011.
___________________________________________
To subscribe to Cheryl Wicker’s National Christian Movie Examiner column,
click here.
Interested in becoming an Examiner? Visit this link.
Comments