'Fireproof' Producer to Address Christian Filmmakers Academy Students

'Fireproof' Producer to Address Christian Filmmakers Academy Students

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Sept. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- "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 January 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 theatres 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."

The Christian Filmmakers Academy is a technical boot camp for aspiring culture changers designed to give filmographers the nuts-and-bolts skills they need to be successful in this critical arena of the arts. The Academy is an offshoot of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), which will be awarding $101,000 to their "Best of Festival" winner next January -- the largest single cash prize given by any independent film festival worldwide. The SAICFF -- which Kendrick has referred to as "America's premier Christian film festival" -- will be held January 8-10 in the Alamo City.

"We are experiencing tremendous momentum in the independent Christian film movement this year," Phillips observed. "The Kendrick brothers are making big waves with their efforts, and the SAICFF's move to lead all independent festivals around the globe with the biggest single cash prize award has created quite a groundswell.

"Our goal with the CFA and the SAICFF is to light a candle," continued Phillips. "We endeavor to show that there is hope outside Hollywood by encouraging culture changers who are recapturing film for Christ's glory."

Film submissions for the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival must be entered online and postmarked by October 1, 2008 (November 1 for feature film submissions). To learn more about the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, visit: www.independentchristianfilms.com.

To interview Doug Phillips about his vision for the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at wesley@visionforum.com or by phone at (210) 340-5250, ext. 222.

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