Impacting the Culture!

People have always loved stories...they give us a sense of the reality that there is a larger story going on around us...a grand adventure in which we were born to be a part. Because of this longing in every heart, it is no surprise that we are drawn to the stories told through movies and literature. We are blessed as we hear the many encouraging reports from the films shown at the Projecting Hope Film Festivals and wanted to share a few with you from folks around the country that were impacted by FIREPROOF:

I first saw FIREPROOF with my girlfriends, and then I knew that I had to see it with my husband. I had grown weary and asked him to leave. I had told him that on January 1st, 2009, I would be making changes to better my life. Now, today is Day 2 of our commitment to The Love Dare challenge. The movie was moving, inspirational, and hopeful for a brighter tomorrow, if we give it to God and fight for our marriage. We take turns reading The Love Dare book, reading and taking one day at a time. We have become excited about this 40-day journey, and about the changes we are about to go through as God transforms our minds and souls. We've already begun to recommend the movie and The Love Dare book to family and friends. God bless all those who have made this movie, and the resources that go along with it.

Click here for more testimonials

Wow! What a Festival!

Thanks to all who supported, promoted and attended the first Charlotte Projecting Hope Film Festival at the Arysley Cinemas on October 3rd-5th! We are still recovering from the overwhelming response as over 6,000 folks showed up to enjoy positive, redemptive films. As soon as we catch our breath we will post more details, photos, video! Stay tuned.

Film Fest Jammin' on Opening Night!

Wow! Quick update from the Fest.... Fans of inspirational films filled up the theaters last night - Friday, October 3rd! For those coming Saturday and Sunday...a review of the ticket process. Up to half the tickets for each movie may be secured a day or more ahead of time through the on-line ordering system at http://www.projectinghope.com/ for a five dollar service charge. Otherwise, tickets are available for free at 12:30 p.m. at the box office at Ayrsley for any films showing that day. You can get tickets for more than one movie at the window. We were blown away by Fireproof....folks we lined up by 11:30 a.m. on Friday to get tickets for the Friday night showing. Several hours before the evening showings last night, Fireproof, The Ultimate Gift, Billy:The Early Years, and The List were all "sold out"...good news and bad news! Our apologies to those who came to the theater and were not able to get it! We appreciate everyone's understanding and support of this event. More news to come.

Thanks to Robert Whitlow and Gary Wheeler of The List for sharing comments with the audience and fielding questions after the 9 p.m. show last night. Steve Taylor, producer of Second Chance, will do likewise tonight after the 9:30 p.m. Saturday showing.

"Saving God?" Say What?

Organizers for the Projecting Hope Film Festival had just put the finishing touches on the 2008 schedule when an overnight FEDEX package arrived. Inside was a screener's copy of a new movie starring Ving Rhames (Mission Impossible, Con Air). The film, said the attached note from the producer, wasn't completely finished. Out of curiosity, Scott Anderson, founder of the Projecting Hope Film Festival, decided to "skip through" the movie to get an idea of what the film was like. What he got, instead, was the chance to view a powerful and compelling story of courage and hope. He was so impacted by the film, the festival line-up was altered, and "Saving God" was added as an official selection."Saving God" will show on Saturday, October 4th at 9:25 PM and Sunday, October 5th at 8:30 PM. For more on the "Saving God", please click here.

Supporting the Cause!

Thanks to the support of our presenting sponsor, Bojangles', along with a number of individuals, businesses and churches, Projecting Hope is able to offer its films FREE of charge to the public. A special thanks goes out to a couple of groups that have recently come on board: Searching for Proof and Faith, the sponsors of Friday Late Night - an event tailored for area youth groups (see August 5 entry for more details) and the DeSoto/Holland Group of Morgan Stanley, sponsors of the Festival and underwriters of the five screenings of FIREPROOF!

NOTE: Showtimes and reserved ticket information will be available in a few days at http://www.projectinghope.com/

Famous Chicken and...Movies!

The famous Chicken 'n Biscuits folks-BOJANGLES'-have joined the Projecting Hope team as the Presenting Sponsor of our 2008 inaugural Charlotte-area event to be held October 3rd-5th. Scott Anderson, Projecting Hope founder, comments, "Bojangles' has expressed that this is the type of event they want to be a part of-something that will have a positive impact on the community. We're excited about having them as part of the team!"

First Look at The Second Chance?

Projecting Hope's Scott Anderson has confirmed that The Second Chance will be coming to the October 2008 Charlotte event. Starring contemporary Christian writer/singer Michael W. Smith in his first film effort, The Second Chance tells the story of the white, yuppie music minister (Smith) from the suburban mega-church as he is forced to minister side by side with inner city pastor Jake Sanders (Jeff Obefemi Carr). Co-written and directed by Steve Taylor (known by many from his Christian rocker days in the 80's), this film tells a story of servanthood, courage and redemption. Taylor is scheduled to appear at the Charlotte event.
Click here to check out the video trailer.

Film Fest YOUTH NIGHT

Friday Late Night (October 3rd) will be a special youth night and we guarantee the place will be rockin'. Sponsored by Searching for Proof and Faith , the festivities will begin at 9:30 p.m. with an inspirational rockin' live concert by the Element Band followed by a film competition (judged by the kids in attendance). Short films featured in the competition include some of the work done by Erwin McManus and IndelibleCreative Group. Checkout their latest series, Soul Cravings, for a preview. THE HOUSE WILL BE PACKED and, even though the event is free, groups may want to consider purchasing advance reserve tickets at $5 each. Info available from Festival Volunteer Coordinator Haines Maxwell, Jr @ 704.564.5928. Stay tuned for more details as well as on-line ticket info. Total event time under two hours.

Grassroots!

While some businesses have jumped in and others are considering, the vast bulk of the financial support needed to offer these films FREE to the public has come from individual followers of Christ who have given hundreds that have added up to thousands. One lady walked up after the Ruth's Chris Southpark Tuesday bible study and handed a Film Festival volunteer two $20 bills! The owner of a small ad agency recently challenged his couples' Sunday School class to come up with a group donation that his company would match! Awesome....thanks!

FIREPROOF - Screening #2

Last night, 200+ ministry leaders braved the Monsoon of '08 to see a screening of FIREPROOF at Stonecrest's Regal Theaters off of Rea Road and 485 in Charlotte! A special salute to the gang that drove down from Greensboro as well as the Sherwood Films crew that came all the way from Albany, Georgia.

Surprise guests Alex (left) and Stephen Kendrick (writers and directors of FIREPROOF as well as Facing The Giants) shared with the crowd before and after the film was shown along with Bob Gordon of Provident Films and Jim McBride, executive pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany. Of interest to the Charlotte locals, McBride (right)-who played Bobby Lee Duke, the lollipop-sucking-coach of the nasty rivals in Facing the Giants-worked for many years with Frank Harrison and the folks at Coke Consolidated here in Charlotte before going into pastoral ministry. Reviews for the film have been tremendous and there is a sense that this movie will be used to impact marriages across the country. Dr. Gary Smalley recently commented on the film, "Amazing. Action-packed, heartwarming and a great resource to strengthen and affirm marriages."

Festival Up-Date!

In order to accomodate some of our film selections, the Charlotte-area Projecting Hope Film Festival has been moved to the weekend of October 3rd-5th. Stay tuned for film news and updates.

Amazing Grace!

Arrangements have been finalized to show AMAZING GRACE at the inaugural Projecting Hope Film Festival. Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries, says this: "A brilliant and powerful presentation of one of the most moving moments in modern history. William Wilberforce is the model and hero of my life. I was thrilled to the bone watching this "amazing" movie. No Christian should miss this film."

Ioan Gruffudd (Blackhawk Down) plays Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Albert Finney plays John Newton (composer of the song Amazing Grace), a confidante of Wilberforce who inspires him to pursue a life of service to humanity. Benedict Cumberbatch is William Pitt the Younger, England's youngest ever Prime Minister at the age of 24, who encourages his friend Wilberforce to take up the fight to outlaw slavery and supports him in his struggles in Parliament.Elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21, and on his way to a successful political career, Wilberforce, over the course of two decades, took on the English establishment and persuaded those in power to end the inhumane trade of slavery.

FIREPROOF....wow!

A group of us just had the opportunity this week to preview FIREPROOF in it's entirety...."WOW" is all we can say. Charles Wimmer, International Director for Christian Family Life/2 Becoming One, helped spearhead the event and commented afterwards, "Everybody knows someone in a struggling marriage that needs to see this movie. In fact, any couple that is committed to having a great marriage will benefit from seeing this film." Special thanks to the crew at Joe Gibbs Racing for hosting the event!

Is Charlotte FIREPROOF?

FIREPROOF, the latest effort by the folks at Sherwood Productions/Provident Films who brought us Facing the Giants, is under consideration to headline the Projecting Hope Film Festival being held in Charlotte, September 5th - 7th. Our team at Projecting Hope is hoping to finalize things with the FIREPROOF folks any day!

Kirk Cameron stars as Captain Caleb Holt, a firefighter who rescues others but struggles to save his marriage. The producers of this film are working with churches and other groups around the country with a follow-up program that we believe will have a positive impact on marriages in our communities.

Check out the teaser trailer and learn more.

Lights! Camera! Action!

It's COMING!! Mark your calendar.....Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Sept 5th-7th....3 days of inspirational films on two great screens at the new Ayrsley Theatres....just off of 485 and South Tryon...a few giant steps west of I-77 and 485......Films of courage, redemption, faith, hope...all day long....Free! We are partnering with Scott Anderson of Salt and Light Entertainment - a group that has put on Christian Film Festivals for the past eight years. Check out www.projectinghope.com Stay Tuned for details.