2013 Winners

Lisa Arnold, owner of Check The Gate Productions, is the writer and director of THIS IS OUR TIME.  The film follows five college graduates as they set out to make a difference in the world for God.  Their ambitions are high but will their passion and faith be enough to carry them through life’s difficult trials.  This film will have all of us asking “what is it God is calling us to be?”  Believing in the importance of taking a film beyond the screen and using it for ministry, Ms. Arnold has written a four-week study guide as a free resource.  Anyone can download the guide and clips from our distributor- Pure Flix Entertainment at http://pureflix.com/portfolio/this-is-our-time/.  This is a powerful tool for churches and youth organizations!  For more information on Lisa Arnold or to book her for a speaking engagement, go to checkthegateproductions.com.  To find out more about Embrace A Village, which is featured in THIS IS OUR TIME, go to embraceavillage.org.  THIS IS OUR TIME is available now at SAM’S, Lifeway, Family Christian Bookstore, Netflix, and other Christian bookstores and websites. 

David De Vos produces “Eyes to see” A 33 minute dramatic film that tells the story or Ray (Matthew Marsden), a news cameraman who is assigned to capture Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that left over 300,000 dead.  In the midst of the catastrophic damage created by the 7.0 magnitude quake, Ray is forced to choose between doing his job and stepping out from behind the lens to help the victims he encounters.  When sets down his camera to rescue Marie (Garcelle Beauvais), a Haitian mother who is trapped beneath the heavy debris of her former home, Ray opens his eyes to his own humanity.  Eyes to see has set a website with all the details at http://www.eyestoseemovie.com

Stevie’s Trek to the Holy Land: Abraham’s Promise takes you on a walk through the biblical narrative and lands you in the center of modern day Israel, Jerusalem. Here we discover where these historical events actually took place. From climbing Mt. Sinai to sleeping under the stars like Abraham, this journey allows audiences both young and old to experience the land of the Bible and its redemptive story in a new and stunning way. Written, directed, and co-produced by the OR Productions team and Heart Publications, this is one of many short films, documentaries, as well as, promotional videos produced by OR Productions. They write, shoot, edit. They excel at small, independent productions with a desire for creativity and excellence. Specifically outfitted for international travel, together they have worked in over 40 nations. Their hope is to be able to share stories that will inspire, move, and ultimately change those who come into contact with them. Learn more about the series and OR Productions by visiting www.steviestreks.com ; www.orproductions.org ; www.heartpublications.com 

The combination of Director Francis De La Torre’s design, motion and VFX sensibilities, alongside a strong introspective narrative, yielded and produced the hit music video “Fallin,” for hip hop artist Trip Lee. The film identifies and elaborates on a universal subject all can relate to, “failure.” Francis, alongside Producer James Diaz and Cinematographer Wey Wang, investing much personal care into the project to build something of excellence, that would ultimately encourage people to look to God in the midst of their disappointments. “Fallin” aired on both BET and MTV, and was also named Rapzilla’s “Best Music Video of 2012.” 

Since the creation of “Fallin,” Francis has directed several more music videos, a web series (Saturday Morning Car-Tunez), and other films, videos and design projects. His most recent project was a documentary for hip hop artist Andy Mineo, entitled “Everything Must Go.” The documentary takes a very personal look at the challenges Andy faced, while having to create his debut album on the road, traveling with the “Unashamed Tour 2012.” All of Francis’ work can be seen at www.8bitFilms.tv  Francis and his wife Marthe currently reside in Santa Monica, CA, with their american eskimo puppy “Zelda.” 

When resistance fighter Piet Hartog witnesses atrocities toward the Jews, he is drawn by his beautiful love Aty and her Aunt Corrie into the web of espionage and clandestine activities in the Hiding Place, where he joins brilliant young physics student and resistance journalist, Hans Poley, embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through underground tunnels, Gestapo hijacks, daring rescues, codes in windswept old windmills, and stunning miracles in one of history’s most famous dramas. 

Piet, Hans, and their friends navigate a deadly labyrinth of challenges to rescue God’s people in their modern-day panicked exodus from death. Climaxing in the true, breath-taking rescue of an entire orphanage of Jewish children marked for mass execution by Hitler’s assassins, audiences will both cheer and weep at this exciting, sobering tale.

An armed gunman crashes in on a church service in progress. After firing several shots into the air he shouts “Anyone who is not a Christian has exactly one minute to leave with his life.”  After a stampede for the door, seven people remain. Are they crazy?… deaf?… or is their faith really worth more to them than their own lives? This is the theme of a short but intense independent film written and directed by George Monteiro.  It will be shot at Victory Life Church in Plantation Florida in late September  2012 on the Red Epic camera. The same cameras used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Pirated of the Caribbean.  The film is called “Infidel”.

One hundred years ago, courageous men sprang into action when the R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. These men paid the ultimate price to ensure that women and children were saved. What did they know about manliness that we have forgotten? How is “women and children first” relevant today? What does it really mean to be a man? Linking the crumbling of Western Civilization to the fall of manhood in today’s modern society, examine the links between how society treats men and the destruction of the modern family.In Act Like Men, viewers will be challenged and inspired as interviews with Scott Brown, William Einwechter, Bill Potter, and Kevin Swanson explore these questions and seek to reclaim a biblical vision for manliness. 

Be Exalted Music Video by Barry Blaze

65 Decision Time, The Choices That Will Change Your Life Forever 

This powerful drama centers around a typical, middle-class family separated by their mistakes and confronting compelling real-world issues. The twists of this captivating film emerge as five members of the Miller family reach a crossroad in their own individual lives:

Each character captivates the hearts of the audience in their own unique way as they face tough, life altering decisions. Will these struggles destroy them? Or, will they become enlightened by a passionate truth available to all those who seek and listen? Will each one realize that life without God leads down a dead end road of darkness? Which family members are willing to pay attention and claim restoration? Will some ultimately deny the truth? These are the choices that will change their lives forever.

Journey throughout England and follow the story of one of the most influential people who ever lived.
From a childhood upbringing in the small town of Epworth in the north of England to a scholarly education at Oxford University, and from humble beginnings in Bristol to an influential base in London, John Wesley’s influence is still felt, though not completely recognised, today.  John Wesley travelled England more than any other person in history.  In the 1700s, he established schools, medical centres and chapels as he challenged social, political and religious structures to bring about equality for the marginalised. 

Filmed in elegant chapels, bustling centres and historical sites in Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, Cornwall and in London in the United Kingdom, this historical and biographical documentary follows a well respected religious and Methodist commentator, Keith Garner, as he discovers the makings and influence of a man whose work in the 1700s would go on to impact the entire British Empire … and ripple into today.

John Wesley’s work and legacy is revered by millions around the world and this documentary features location interviews with representatives from Oxford University, the Methodist Church, Historical Societies, British Museums and British politics.

ONE NIGHT STAND 

A traveling Businessman (Thor Ramsey), invites a Call Girl, (Kimberly Durrett), into his hotel room. Before she arrives two hilarious Hotel Employees inadvertantly thwart his plans when they introduce him to the contents of the Bible from the hotel room’s nightstand. By the time she arrives, he’s changed his mind… but she hasn’t.

Holding his memories Music Video