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Box office hit, never-before-seen films shown at annual festival

Stephen Kendrick, writer/producer of “War Room,” held a Q & A before a packed theater following a screening of the film Friday night as part of Liberty University’s Cinematic Arts Premiere Weekend.

Silver screens in Lynchburg lit up with never-before-seen films, as well as a summer box-office hit, as the Liberty University Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center hosted its annual Cinematic Arts Premiere Weekend, a free film festival open to the community. “War Room” — which grossed $11 million and was the No. 1 new release at the box office its opening weekend (Aug. 28-30) — was shown Friday night at Regal Cinemas in the River Ridge Mall, followed by a Q & A with writer/producer Stephen Kendrick. Earlier, the upcoming Provident Films sports picture “Woodlawn” was screened at Cinemark Movies 10, ahead of its Oct. 16 theatrical release date. Kevin Downes, the film’s producer, answered audience questions afterward.

“Cinematic history was made this weekend when ‘War Room’ became the No. 1 new release at the box office nationally,” said Stephan Schultze, executive director of Liberty’s Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center. “This is the first faith-based film to reach that distinction, and I believe it marks the coming-of-age of Christian cinema. We are extremely fortunate to host Stephen Kendrick, the producer, at a time when his movie is in theaters.”

Audience members were visibly moved by the film, with many tearing up while asking Kendrick questions and conveying their gratitude for the way the film inspired them on their walk with Christ.

Kendrick shared some experiences from the set of “War Room,” which included Liberty University students among its crew. Kendrick explained that he specifically sought out college students who love the Lord and are promising filmmakers from around the nations. Of the 20 students brought in, 12 were from Liberty.

“The LU students who showed up were more prepared, they knew the gear, they knew the position, they knew the work ethic,” he said. “They were definitely a cut above all the students from all the other universities.”

Kristin Taylor (’14), a graduate of Liberty’s cinematic arts program who worked on the set of “War Room,” attended the screening, which she described as “rewarding.”

After a free screening of “War Room,” as part of the Cinematic Arts Premiere Weekend, writer/producer Stephen Kendrick took time to interact with Liberty University students, sharing advice on filmmaking

“It’s nice to come back a year after filming and see what you worked on,” she said. “Just to see it on the screen, and seeing the people you worked on the film with, it’s exciting. It’s also an encouragement to keep going on with what you’re doing and to not give up.”

In addition to mainstream Christian films, the Premiere Weekend included the debuts of the first two Liberty University Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center-produced feature-length productions, “77 Chances” and “Altar Egos.” These films, which paired university students with professional talent on the set, were shown for the first time Thursday night at Movies 10, followed by Q & As with Sean Morgan (“Altar Egos” director) and Tracy Trost (“77 Chances” director), respectively.

Josh Kirkland, a junior cinematic arts major, said that the festival has been reaffirming to him as a filmmaker.

“We’ve just seen so many different things that people have poured their heart and soul into for roughly two years,” he said. “It absolutely encourages me, that I want to do this. … If I can work on something that means something to somebody, it’s all worth it.”

The film festival continued Saturday with a day full of panel discussions, breakout sessions, and Q & As with filmmakers. Special guests included Kendrick; Dan Gordon, one of Hollywood’s most prolific screenwriters (“The Hurricane,” “Wyatt Earp”); Justin Tolley, producer (“Courageous,” “Woodlawn”) and production coordinator (ABC’s “LOST”); Bill Reeves, founder and president of the WTA Group, a company that has released some of the widest-reaching Christian cinema to date; Kevin Downes, actor and producer (“Courageous,” “Mom’s Night Out,” “Woodlawn”); and Chris Bueno, a producer who is developing original, faith-friendly entertainment for Netflix.

“Bringing in these individuals, who have made significant impacts within the entertainment industry, demonstrates the growing strength in the marketplace — both in education and content development — of the cinematic arts department at Liberty,” Schultze said.

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