‘168’ Short Film Competition Funds Feature Film
for 2017 Grand Prize
Burbank, CA (May 1, 2017) – The 168 Film Project, an annual short, Bible-based filmmaking competition in it’s 15th year, announces that the grand prize this year will be an independent feature film budget, for the winning filmmaker to make a feature film. From beginner to expert, all filmmakers anywhere in the world may participate in the 168 Film Project.
The structure of the competition is similar to “Project Greenlight,” Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s movie-making reality television series. Contest registration is open through May 11, 2017. ‘168’ contestants will first prove themselves by making a short film by June 2nd and becoming a grand prize finalist. Finalists will be announced at the 168 Film Festival, Aug. 26-27 at Regal Cinemas Premiere House at L.A. Live.
The contest concludes in November 2017, when feature film proposals are judged by the jury, which chooses the best-equipped team and script as the winner to make the “8168 Film”. Named ‘8168’, the grand prize title refers to the number of hours projected to complete the feature film in 2018, from script to screen. Pre-production will begin immediately after the winner is chosen, and production will start in mid-2018 in Los Angeles County under one of the SAG-INDIE low-budget feature contracts.
According to John David Ware, founder and president of 168 Film, “The feature film we make will be in the action-adventure, thriller, mystery, Sci-Fi or kids/family adventure genre, targeting both American and foreign audiences.”
The 168 Film Project competition offers opportunities for all skill levels, from beginners to professional filmmakers. 168 may be able to match interested individuals to a filmmaking team in their local area, including beginners wanting to learn the craft.
168 has given artists a platform to develop their talent and helped to launch careers in filmmaking, including writing, producing, acting and directing. 168 alumni successes include Christopher Shaw, director of Youth Group, starring Stephen Baldwin and Robert Kirbyson, who went on to write and direct the Steve McEveety-produced film Snowmen, which won top honors at the Heartland and Tribeca Film Festivals. Ware himself directed Unbridled in 2016, starring Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) and T.C. Stallings (War Room).
Best Actor winners Kevin Sizemore (The Case for Christ, Resurrection) and Jenn Gotzon (Unbridled, Doonby) have also had success in film and TV. 168 Best Actress winner Tea McKay was cast as the lead in Unbridled from her work in the 168 Film Project.
Globally since 2003, over 1,000 films have been made by an estimated 17,000 artists in 14 years through the annual 168 Film Project filmmaking and writing competitions. The 168 Film Project is a worldwide, faith-friendly filmmaking incubator.
Sponsors of the 168 Film Project include Roush Media, Advent Media and Arri.
More information is available at https://www.168film.com/Contests/8168 and