The 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy
Training Culture Changers for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technical Excellence in Media

October 17, 2008

• Join America’s premiere training academy for Christian filmmakers and culture changers.
• Learn from a distinguished faculty and top independent filmmakers.
• Receive specialized training in the writing, directing, producing, financing and marketing of independent Christian films.
• Participate in hands-on training sessions for stunts and action shoots: feature film camera work; cinematography and lighting; and much more.
• Get important tips on how to win the $101,000 grand prize Jubilee Award.
• Network with like-minded Christian writers, directors, producers, actors and film entrepreneurs.

FOR THREE DAYS preceding the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, students from around the country will be gathering to learn from an outstanding faculty of seasoned professionals and cultural innovators about the nuts and bolts of making “epistemologically self-conscious” films for Christ. Our mission: Raise up culture changers for the glory of God in the area of media and independent Christian film production.

If you are interested in filmmaking, screenwriting, or directing for the glory of God, or if you just want to learn about opportunities and avenues in the new world of independent Christian filmmaking, we invite you to sign up for one of our remaining seats at the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy.

The Christian Filmmakers Academy is for industry professionals, aspiring filmmakers, Christian students, and men and women who want to broaden their grasp of the diverse skills necessary for transforming the culture through media and independent Christian film production.

For the past three years, the Christian Filmmakers Academy has sold out, and we have moved to a larger venue each year. This year, we are moving once again to accommodate the demand for more students, yet admission is still limited to approximately 750 students. Join us January 5-7, 2009 for the most groundbreaking, innovative and practical CFA to date.

Sign up now to reserve your spot at the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy.

Learn from Top Independent Filmmakers

One of the most important ways for filmmakers to grow is to learn from the men who are currently shaping the future of independent filmmaking. Two independent films are currently in the news for the potency of their messages, their box office success, and the innovative marketing and distribution techniques — Fireproof and Expelled. This year, students at the CFA will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the development, production, and marketing of both films. They will hear from and dialogue with Producer and Writer Stephen Kendrick of Fireproof, and from Logan Craft, Executive Producer of Expelled.

Exciting New Film Academy Workshops Emphasize Stunt Work, Swordfights, and Dramatic Violence; How to Use the Red Camera; Taking Dominion over Science Fiction; Advanced Lighting Techniques; Financing, Marketing and Distribution Strategies; and Much More

The 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy will include many new, exciting workshops to assist the independent Christian filmmaker in honing their craft. Students will learn to stage intense, God-honoring stunts and screen violence from a world class, award-winning stunt professional. They will learn new strategies of financing and marketing from filmmakers who are proven success stories. They will be challenged to expand their biblical worldview and apply it to every aspect of the filmmaking process. More information regarding academy topics and workshops will be released soon, so be sure to sign up for the SAICFF email newsletter.

Click here to sign up for Academy newsletter.

Register to Attend the Christian Filmmakers Academy By November 1 and Receive a Free Invitation to Our Private Reception for Feature Filmmakers

With more than twenty-five feature films and multiple theatrical releases entered into this year’s San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, with a collective budget in the tens of millions, 2008-2009 marks a landmark season for the SAICFF and independent Christian filmmaking as a whole. To celebrate, the SAICFF is sponsoring a special private reception for all finalist feature filmmakers. Register to attend the Christian Filmmakers Academy by November 1, 2008, and receive a free invitation to this private gathering to take place the week of the SAICFF. This is an exciting opportunity for young filmmakers to meet the movers and shakers in the independent Christian film movement.

Just a Few of the Important Classes You Will Take at the 2009 Filmmakers Academy

• How to Understand, Script, Execute and Depict Violence and Stunts
• How to Win the $101,000 Best of Festival Award
• Symposium on Science Fiction
• Cinematography 101, 201
• Exclusive Behind the Scenes with Fireproof with Stephan Kendrick
• Behind the Scenes with Expelled: The Concept, the Casting, the Marketing and Legal Battles of the Most Controversial Film of 2008
• Symposium on Financing, Distribution, and Marketing the Independent Christian Film
• How to Light Like Hollywood’s Best DPs (and grade the footage digitally)
• Symposium on the Theology of Filmmaking
• Sound Design and Cinematic Storytelling
• Feature Film Camera Work
• How to Shoot with the RED Camera
• The Future of Digital Video Cameras
• In the Field With Independent Christian Filmmakers
• Special Bonus Session: Photography for Filmmakers — The Principles of Photographic Composition

Read the full descriptions of the 2009 Academy workshops.

Special Reasons to Attend This Year’s Filmmakers Academy

1. Unparalleled Networking Opportunity: The Christian Filmmakers Academy provides an opportunity to network with filmmakers, producers, writers, and directors. Past graduates have gone on to coordinate and fund filmmaking efforts as a result of contacts they made at the academy.
2. A Wise Investment: You can spend thousands of dollars and years of your life looking for film-training which you hope will not be drenched in the values and ethics of Hollywood — or you can spend three days learning a presuppositionally biblical approach to the art and craft of independent Christian filmmaking.
3. Learn to Analyze a Hollywood Movie and Become a Successful Script Writer: Analyzing today’s more popular films is one key way to help filmmakers analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their own scripts. Learn how to acquire the eye of an artist, a theologian, and a businessman as you study the craft of filmmaking.
4. Study Critical Lighting Techniques: Many aspiring and experienced filmmakers struggle to take their film production from good to great due to wrong use of lighting techniques, equipment, and poor angles in filming. Learn how to avoid these common mistakes with hands-on training.
5. Unique Opportunity to Train on 35mm Film Equipment: Thanks to CFA sponsor Panavision and our faculty of film and lighting experts, filmmakers will be able to interact with some of the industry’s best film and lighting equipment and will learn about the latest developments in filmmaking technology and industry advancements.
6. Learn from Independent Christian Filmmakers in the News: One of the best ways to learn practical skills and innovative strategies for film marketing success is to learn from top independent filmmakers who are in the news today.

What People Are Saying about the Christian Filmmakers Academy

The Christian Filmmakers Academy not only teaches aspiring filmmakers, challenges veteran filmmakers in the theology and worldview of filmmaking, assists writers in developing God-honoring and content rich scripts, but also provides a forum for networking with similar, talented individuals in the vocation of filmmaking. Here are just a few of the many comments received about the benefits students have enjoyed at attending last year’s Christian Filmmakers Academy:

Technology and Theology

The academy was extremely edifying, encouraging, stimulating, with an accurate balance of theological perspective and astute technological integrity. It is one of the rare Christian events that I know of where you are in the presence of sound, wise, and biblically strong Christian men who have an in-depth knowledge of the craft and what it means to be a Christian Filmmaker, with the objective, first, of engaging the culture. —Todd. S.

Extensive Instruction

This has been the best academy or conference on filmmaking I have ever [attended]! It has covered information from the production process to exploration of how to run a 16mm camera, to extensive how-to’s from lighting set up to the all important issue of music. Thank you! —Robert. F.

An Opportunity for Personal Growth and Networking

Inspiring! If you’re interested in Christian filmmaking, then you must attend this academy. Everything you need to get started is covered in the professional, thorough sessions. From theological foundation, to exploration of an independent production company, to lighting and demonstration, you will learn and grow tremendously. An added benefit is the opportunity to network with a diverse group of creative, like-minded believers. I heartily recommend it! —Paul M.