San Antonio or Bust!

Today marks the opening of the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!

After a very nice Christmas break, this is an inspiring way to start off the new year! With lots of great speakers to hear, films to watch, and fellow filmmakers to meet up with, SAICFF is always one of the year's highlights.

Many are already underway with the excitement as attendees of the SAICFF Christian Filmmakers Academy. We anticipate a glowing report when we join up with them later today!

So, blessings on all you who will also be traveling! Stay tuned to Doug's Blog for updates, and we'll try to post here as well if we can. :D

See you there!

DCFM

Big News! Big Project!

...It truly has been a long time coming, and you won’t be disappointed. So, without any further ado, get ready for the Dallas Christian Filmmakers and ReelCast Productions newest feature film: SPURS OF CHANGE!!

Yes indeed, we are excited to announce our new big project! Read more about it and stay updated on the Spurs of Change Official Blog!

November Meeting and Thanks-Giving Bash

Dallas Christian Filmmakers will hold their final meeting for the 2008 year on

Saturday, November 15th, 2008 9am - 5pm

where it all began two years ago, at the home of our Founder.

If you would like to join us, email the Secretary for directions or to get set up on Skype.

Friday evening will find us celebrating two years of DCFM history as we fellowship, eat, remember, give thanks, worship, welcome the new Officers and say farewell to the old, play games, and have an overall jolly good time.

So if you can join us, let us know--we'd love to have you--especially if you've played a part in these last two wonderful years of friendship, growth and watching God do amazing things in our midst.

We truly are amazed and grateful for all God has done in DCFM.

See you soon!

Most of the DCFMers present at the October Meeting.

The Measure of a Man DFW Premiere!!

Hey guys! It's coming up!! Plan to join us over the Thanksgiving Holiday to see this long-awaited film done by several of our members. It's been a year in the making, and now it's finally here!!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Heritage Family Church is hosting a screening at: Northside Church of the Nazarene

6750 Denton Hwy. Watauga, TX

Time: 6:30pm

Free Screening

Many thanks to all those who made the Houston Premiere possible. And thanks to all who came out for the event! It was a joy to see and meet so many of you. It was an amazing night filled with gratitude for all God has done and taught us on this journey. We kept looking at each other saying, "Are we really here? I can't believe this!!"

Here are some images from Houston.

So, The Measure of a Man movie is done. The year seems like a blink in many ways, but a blink to be treasured, one that was filled with so many blessings, and one we couldn't have traveled without the support of so many of you. We pray this film will be a blessing to you as God continues His mighty work in all of us!

Friends of DCFM,

Our friend George Escobar recently sent this exciting information out and we wanted to pass it on. Be sure to take advantage of this limited offer! Come What May is an inspiring and powerful film you, your family, and your friends must see.

Some other exciting news is that Lord willing, you will have the chance to attend a DFW screening of Come What May in the near future! We look forward to hopefully having Mr. Escobar back in town and AFG's new film on the big screen for you to see in person! We'll give you more information as soon as it is made available! So stay tuned!

In the mean time, check this out:

---

Dear Friends of Advent Film Group,

There is a significant event this week you must know about!

Starting Monday, October 27th we began offering a FREE Online Screening of Come What May on GodTube and the American Family Association.

The big promotion is underway for Come What May to be seen by thousands if not millions of voters online!

As you may know, Come What May is a feature film made by 40 homeschooled students, including a dozen from Patrick Henry College.



Come What May is now a PROMOTED video at the top of GodTube's home page.

We need to keep it at that spot...

Please go or return to GodTube.com and click to view Come What May clip in the PROMOTED VIDEOS area.
Be sure to:
- RATE the video
- WRITE a comment
- EMAIL the video to friends.

To see the entire movie, click HERE.



Watch and cast your vote right away! GodTube's free screening ends today, October 29th!

*Update: I just talked to one of the Producers, and they are in discussion with GodTube about extending the screening! But still go over and watch it as soon as you can--your viewing and vote will determine how long it runs!*



You can also view the entire film for free on American Family Association's site through Friday, October 31st. View that from here.

This nationwide event is helping to get the word out about Advent Film Group (AFG) and our inaugural film. It also showcases the work of homeschoolers who are helping shape our culture.

Most importantly at this time, it is starting to help affect the November elections for pro-life candidates, perhaps even the Presidency.

Over 210,000 people have viewed part or all of the movie since it went into a "trial period" this weekend. The film is notable in that even audiences of "choice" have said that Come What May is causing them to "reconsider their position."

You can assist AFG and voters by watching the movie online and sending email referrals to friends and family. Please also consider buying a copy so that Advent Film Group can make many more and better Christ-centered family films.

Thank you for your support. Please email one or two friends of your friends!

Blessings,
George Escobar
Founder and President
Advent Film Group, LLC
www.adventfilmgroup.com/freemovie



Here are direct links to articles about the Come What May free screening event:
Article 1
Article 2

And some other blogs and articles:
Young Ladies Christian Fellowship
The Christian Post
World Net Daily - Article 1
World Net Daily - Article 2


So grab the family and GO WATCH THE MOVIE y'all! :D

Important Update

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The meeting has been moved from Countryside Bible Church to a member's home. Please contact the Secretary for directions. Everything is the same, except the location--we will still start at 9am, eat food, get a lot done, and have entirely way too much fun. (It's good to love what you do and the people you do it with, right?) :D

So please note the change.

If you intend to meet us on Skype or join us Friday evening for dinner, send the Secretary an email as well.

Houston. We have a movie.

(Click to read poster)

Hopefully you've been following Stephanie's blog, but the big day is almost here!!

The Measure of a Man documentary will be Premiering in Houston next week! If you can make it, plan to be there for this exciting event!

Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 6pm
Location: Santiko Theatres - Silverado 19 IMAX
(24720 State Highway 249, Tomball, TX)

I talked to Stephanie today and she is SO excited! God has done so many amazing things on this project, and we are so grateful for all He has taught us on this journey. He has definitely challenged us to live the message we teach. I think you will be really blessed by this film and the inspiring message that rings true with all of us--that we know we are called to high things in life and the freedom that comes from pursuing them.

SO! If you want to attend, you NEED to contact either the theater or Stephanie for your FREE tickets. WoodsEdge Community Church-Tomball (check out this link too) and Northland Christian School are graciously sponsoring this event. We have been so blessed by the friendship we've had with these folks during this project. They have been such an inspiration to us!

So tell all your friends and plan to meet us at the Silverado for a great evening together at the Premiere of this powerful new film!

See you there!

We hope you're coming!

DCFM October Meeting

Saturday, October 18, 2008

9am -  5pm

Countryside Bible Church, "North Building"

Contact the Secretary if you think you're coming, need directions, have questions, or would like to join us for our Friday night fellowship.

This month we'll be covering lots of business and continuing work on our new feature-length film! :D And of course, learning and having lots of fun! :D

In Theaters NOW!!

Friends!

The long-awaited new film from Sherwood Pictures & Provident Films (makers of Flywheel and Facing the Giants), FIREPROOF opens in theaters around the country TODAY!



Fireproof looks like a powerful film that you won't want to miss. As I'm sure was true for many of you, Facing the Giants was a film that impacted me greatly when it opened in 2006. I am SO excited about this movie--view the trailer and see for yourself--it looks to be just as good and better than FTG!

Also, be sure to peruse some of their BTS videos, especially the one titled "BTS: Marriage".

Opening weekend is a crucial time for theater-released films. The initial Box Office numbers determine how long the movie will show for. Christian films, especially ones made by the Kendrick brothers, are not just made because making films are cool and fun. And definitely not made for the sole purpose of making money. Dedicated Christian filmmakers are producing films because they love Jesus Christ and care for other people. There are messages of freedom that we need to hear and the world needs to know about. The prayer is that as many people will see these movies and hear these messages as possible, and that God would bless and work in the people's lives who do.

If you can, show your support for this film and the Christian filmmakers behind it by seeing Fireproof this weekend. Follow this link to find a theater near you.


Here's something from the Kendricks via their email update:


FIREPROOF Arrives!
It's late November 2007. Sherwood Baptist Church volunteers are out in full force, both behind the scenes and in front of the cameras—another amazing day on the set of FIREPROOF. Real firefighters from the Albany Fire Department stand shoulder to shoulder with volunteer actors playing firefighters in this new film. News media, local residents, and church members anxiously watch as a house burns time and again ... all in the name of moviemaking!

Beyond all of the actors and crew, prayer has been cast in the central role this day ... and every other day of filming. Protection for all involved, the ability to thematically capture the drama, and the desire for these scenes to impact moviegoers months from now are just a few of the prayers.

It's the same day, but two hundred miles away. A small team from Sherwood and Provident has traveled to the WinShape Retreat Center to show two rough-cut scenes from FIREPROOF to the Marriage CoMission, a high-impact group of marriage-ministry leaders from all across the land.

Knowing these people could help build interest and awareness for the movie, and eager to see how the film will be received outside of the set, the team prays ... for these leaders, for the marriages they impact, and for the marriages that might be impacted by this movie.

After the two scenes are shown, tears stream down the faces of the leaders. They have long prayed for a rallying point to help people commit to God-honoring marriages. Stephen Kendrick finds himself choked up as he tells how God has given Sherwood this story of a firefighter, his wife ... and a marriage worth rescuing.

At some point on that day, November 29, 2007, FIREPROOF became more than a movie ... it became a movement.

On this day, September 26, 2008, the FIREPROOF movement takes hold in 839 theaters across the country. Churches, ministries, businesses, and individuals have brought the movie to 98 different communities by committing to purchasing 1,000 tickets. Other churches, ministries, businesses, and individuals have purchased hundreds of show times.

FIREPROOF has consistently been the top-selling ticket on Fandango this week. The Love Dare, originally a plot device in the film, has become one of the 25 best-selling books on all of Amazon. The movie has been highlighted this week on FamilyLife Today ... and The Today Show. It's been the subject of conversation with Dr. Dobson ... and Dr. Phil.

And to think ... it all goes back to that day in November where on the set and at WinShape, the prayers of different groups of people with different focuses really became the same prayer: That God would do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever hope or imagine with FIREPROOF.

Welcome to FIREPROOF ... Opening Weekend!


A Word from Sherwood Pastor Michael Catt
"I am encouraged by the hundreds of emails I've received from pastors around the country regarding FIREPROOF. To know that pastors and church leaders have taken up the cause and believe in the message of this movie is encouraging to me.

"It is my prayer that every pastor, church, and ministry that uses this film will find that it helps them in their desire to change the world from where they are. I hope and pray that all across this land, churches will seize this God-sized moment and use it to impact homes and the culture."

And a Big Thanks
From the beginning, we've asked you to support this movie. And you've responded in amazing ways ... and numbers. You have caught the vision of how this film could make an impact in your home ... in your neighborhood ... in your community ... in your world. Thanks for all you have done.

As with all members of the FIREPROOF team, our final ask of you as the film opens is similar to what those people did on that November day last year:

As you experience FIREPROOF this weekend, please pray for each and every couple and single person in the theater with you. Ask God to do exceedingly abundantly more than they could ever hope or imagine in their relationships.

Now ... who's ready to go see a movie?

Visit FireprooftheMovie.com



As mentioned above, please be in prayer for this movie and the people who view it.

Hope to see y'all at the theaters! Leave us a comment with what you thought about the movie!



Links:
Sherwood Pictures & Provident Films
Flywheel Facing the Giants Fireproof
Theaters
Subscribe to Fireproof's email update list and follow the Fireproof Blog

September '08 Meeting Info!

We hope you're planning on joining us this month!

Saturday, September 20, 2008
Countryside Bible Church
9am - 5pm (or earlier if we're done sooner)

Contact the Secretary if you need directions, or would like to join us for our Friday fellowship night, where we will be critiquing another film.

During Saturday's meeting, our resident writer, theorist and film critic, Heidi Michelle Click, will give a lecture on screenplay writing, and will critique Star Wars after viewing some or all of the first episode (IV).

There will also be food. :D

Updates on projects.

And we will get underway with Pre-production planning for our upcoming film (to be officially announced soon! So hold your breath--it's coming!!)

So don't miss this opportunity to learn valuable information on the art, skill and ministry of filmmaking! We look forward to seeing you there!