We were grateful to the Lord for a packed press room this Monday at the National Religious Broadcaster’s annual convention. Special thanks to Stephen Kendrick, producer of Facing The Giants, and the up-coming film Fireproof, for his inspiring introductory words.

The announcement that a private foundation had made possible the world’s largest cash prize for any film festival (secular or Christian) was met with excitement both by members of the press and leaders within the Christian filmmaking community. Our message: It’s time to invest in the future by honoring uncompromising filmmakers who aspire to be part of the solution.

Christians like to complain. We hate the evil we see being poured into the minds of America’s children, but how often do we put our money where our mouths are? How often are we willing to do the long-term hard work to build meaningful lasting solutions to the problems before us?

On the other hand, the secular world invests billions in an anti-Christian mission. They are evangels of an opposing religious worldview. And they do have a long-term agenda—one which is at war with God. Without a vision of victory from the Christian community, is it any wonder that the liberals, evolutionists, and Gospel opponents have achieved cultural hegemony?

Our mission is not to infiltrate Hollywood, nor merely to temper its distasteful agenda, but to replace it altogether. We are about the business of building a replacement industry—one that is distinctively Christian in message and methodology. This world-class grand prize sends a message that Christians are serious about investing in those independent Christian filmmakers who are willing to work outside of Hollywood, and to produce competitive films of technical excellence, with a presuppositionally biblical message.

Through the generosity of a private foundation, SAICFF has secured the largest cash prize in the world and hopes to use it to send a message—we are willing to invest in our community; we must do more than curse the darkness; we will communicate a vision for the future that involves hard work, preparation, and the advancement of a Christ-honoring message and methods in this important medium of film.

We have added a variety of new and important categories for recognition and awards at the January 2009 SAICFF. We thank God for important organizations like Samaritan Ministries (Vision Forum uses and loves their ministry) who believe in this message and stand with us. Over the course of the year we hope to secure additional prizes and sponsorships so that we can reward filmmakers of different ages and skill levels who represent the future of Christian filmmaking outside of Hollywood. One of the first sponsorships we intend to secure is for a new $10,000 Audience Choice award. (For sponsorship information contact our director Nathan Barnes at sponsors@saicff.org.)