2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), Part 1 of 3: Speakers
The 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival was, without a close second, the best SAICFF ever. Five years after the first festival, Christians have made tremendous headway in the mission to abolish and replace a nihilistic, dying Hollywood establishment. And make no mistake: serious Christians connected with the SAICFF are now taking dominion in film and will, by God's grace, overthrow the forces of darkness through forcing the antithesis of godly vs. anti-Christian filmmaking.
Doug Phillips, the visionary behind the festival and a mentor whom I hold in high regard, delivered words of hope to the attendees. I took this picture at the closing night Awards Ceremony. He affirmed and reaffirmed the SAICFF vision of "lighting candles" rather than "cursing the darkness."
R.C. Sproul, Jr., decked out in Scottish garb, delivered one of the awards at the closing ceremony. He also spoke during the festival and delivered the benediction and closing prayer at the Sunday morning worship service following the festival. I enjoyed seeing him and his family once again after seeing them at Jamestown and noting his tremendous insights at the 2005 festival.
Voddie Baucham, who attended with his family, prayed for the festival on opening night and delivered a presentation during the film festival.
Stephen Kendrick, co-writer/producer, and Kirk Cameron, starring actor, of the amazing film Fireproof, addressed the audience and took questions from Doug Phillips during the festival.
John Moore and his crew from another amazing production, The Widow's Might, addressed the audience after the screening in the main theater.
Geoff Botkin, with son David standing by, delivered an absolutely one-of-a-kind critique of a noxious Hollywood film that is popular among some Christians and home educators. I never tire of drinking in Mr. Botkin's visionary insights, Kingdom-advancing strategies, and practical wisdom at VF events. He reaffirmed, as he pointed out in 2007, that every film is a theological treatise and a tool of disciple-making. Movie watchers ought not sit passively to be entertained and amused but should watch movies with a deliberate purpose. Movie makers must inescapably embrace their role as disciple-makers, either for good or for evil.
Peter Pallock, who presented a Jubilee Award at the closing ceremony, also gave a splendid presentation during the festival on photography. I was grateful for his many great insights similar to last festival's presentation about prizewinning photography.
Recently, I was reminded of the insight that Christians have three options as we confront an ungodly culture: 1) retreat, 2) compromise, or 3) biblical, presuppositional, epistemologically self-conscious dominion endeavors. The SAICFF does not seek to retreat from society or compromise with an ungodly cultural media/entertainment establishment, but rather to replace Hollywood with godly entertainment for Christian disciple-making and Kingdom advancement.
Please stay tuned in coming days for parts 2 and 3 of my series about the 2009 SAICFF last weekend.
posted by C.S. Hayden @ 6:00 AM
4 Comments:
Great review! Looking forward to the coming installments.
I saw you there and did not register your name with the face, but had that nagging feeling - "that fellow is someone I ought to meet, for I believe I know who he is", but the whiz of activity of the moment pressed me on. Perhaps I will be able to meet you next year.
So, what was the film that Botkin blasted? Are his comments online anywhere?
Scott: I would have enjoyed meeting you. Lord willing, perhaps we can meet next year.
Jonny: Mr. Botkin critiqued Princess Diaries 2. I am not aware of a website with his comments.
That must have been delicious listening to Geoff Botkin. I am glad that you were able to attend the 2009 SAICFF and blog about it; it is something that I will have to consider next year.
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