Film is an under-utilized form of evangelism according to Stacia Dulan, and film-makers are unrecognized "ministers with cameras."
Film is an under-utilized form of evangelism according to Stacia Dulan, and film-makers are unrecognized “ministers with cameras.” Dulan, project and event coordinator for the Christian Resource Center of the North American Seventh-day Adventist church region, is the driving force behind the World Showcase SONscreen Film Festival, held in St. Louis, Missouri over the past two nights in connection with the Adventist world church’s meetings.
“We are meeting a need,” Dulan said. “Being a young person and realizing the age that we live in made me realize there was something missing ... I felt that the church had nothing for creative young Adventists.”
This year’s festival, a showcase of winners from previous years has drawn larger than expected audiences. Evening screenings have filled the 1,200-seat Roberts Orpheum Theater, while afternoon workshops have drawn 100 to 150 attendees each afternoon.
Including documentaries, comedies, dramas and animations, the two screenings evoked a range of responses. Paul Kim’s “Unto the Ends,” a film documenting the forgotten Adventist hospital in the Chadian town of Bere, drew tears of sympathy and compassion from many viewers. Conversely, the short animation “David” produced by Zachary Gray evoked raucous laughter from the audience. Whatever the response, each film touched those who viewed them with their redemptive and Godly themes.
Partially sponsored by the North American region of the church, SONscreen aims to “inspire, inform, educate and empower Christian film-makers.” The festival, which for the previous three years ran in various venues across the American continent, acts as a platform for amateur Christian filmmakers to launch their careers and increase their skills.
Run in conjunction with technical workshops, covering topics including the ‘Art of Story Telling’ and ‘Achieving the Spiritual Mission using the Arts’ aim to provide aspiring artists with the tools needed to achieve their dreams. The workshops were run by professional Adventist filmmakers including director Mark Brown (“Two Can Play That Game” and “Barbershop”) and Terry Benedict (“Terminator” and “The Conscientious Objector”).
As well as functioning as a mentoring program, Dulan believes SONscreen acts as a strong witnessing tool. “It’s a different effect than saying, ‘Come to my church and hear my pastor,’” she said. “People are more likely to come to a theater than a church.”
Prizes for successful filmmakers in previous years have included a $1,500 cash prize for “Best in Show,” along with prizes for the best films in categories including drama, comedy, documentary and animation. Additionally, if a film has been supported by either an Adventist school or church organization, SONscreen matches the prize won in a grant to the supporting organization. “We want to encourage people to support young creative Adventists,” said Dulan.
The SONscreen film festivals form part of a greater vision known as the SONscreen project. Ultimately Dulan hopes to open a SONscreen film studio for use by Adventist filmmakers the world over.
“The festivals give another perspective to those who view Adventists as old and stodgy,” Dulan said, adding, “For many professional filmmakers this is the first time they have seen the church reach out and validate what they do.”
