Convention screenings of ‘The Bible’ mini-series, VeggieTales superhero release draws rousing receptions

Touting the inaugural Resonate Film Festival as “a celebration of creativity,” CBA launched the competition to highlight new faith- and family-friendly films and DVDs. 

“In years past, we’ve had many films screened at ICRS for retailers and show attendees,” CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said during the festival press conference, adding that this year, “our aspiration was to create a festival that’s a celebration of creativity that aims to reach the culture with thought-provoking, redemptive messages.”

Rick Eldridge—founder of Charlotte, N.C.-based ReelWorks Studios, which produces “Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends” series—announced the winners in three categories, judged by 19 well-known individuals in the movie industry, including Ralph Winter, Dick Rolfe and Ted Baehr. 

“It’s phenomenal to see the quality and caliber of films,” Eldridge said.

 Produced by Impact Productions, Home Run, about an alcoholic baseball hotshot who finds redemption in an unlikely place, won the Best Feature Film and Best Inspirational Film categories. The movie is set for a nationwide theatrical release in spring 2013, coinciding with the release of a novelization with the same title by David C Cook.

Hatikvah Film Trust’s Blessing, Curse or Co-incidence? Volume 1: Israel, the Womb of the Kingdom of God on Earth, which examines the Lord’s purpose for the redemption of mankind and the eradication of evil, was awarded the Best Documentary. The DVD is available from Casscom Media  and
Vision Video.

The festival featured 14 films, including Undaunted, The Early Life of Josh McDowell; God’s Not Dead: The Movie; Heaven’s Rain; The Land Cries Out for the Blood That was Shed; 25 Hill; Journey to Jamaa; and VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables. 

A 10-hour mini-series based on the stories in the Bible arguably received the most rousing reception. Best known for producing the TV shows Survivor, The Voice and The Apprentice, Mark Burnett and his actress wife, Roma Downey, of Touched by an Angel fame, gave attendees a first-look at The Bible, an adaptation of the Scriptures to air on the History Channel, starting Easter 2013.

Riskey introduced the project, which Burnett and Downey, who are both Christians, have been working to produce for the past two years.

“The basis of what we do in the Christian product industry is God’s Word,” he said. “That is why this project is so exciting because it is bringing the Bible in written form more to life.”

Burnett said the couple recently returned from five months of shooting in Morocco to complete filming of the docudrama, which chronicles well-known characters and events in the Bible.

“This is a passion project for Mark and I,” Downey told a capacity crowd, noting that the production was bathed in prayer. “We hope that this will to go to all corners of the world to bring the Word of God alive to people.”

Burnett, who showed several clips, admitted that the mini-series was “very dark” in its portrayals of characters and events, but also “intensely light” in its redemptive parts.

“From what I’ve seen, it’s going to be amazing,” Riskey told Christian Retailing after the dessert reception, sponsored by the History Channel and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

FaithWords plans a novelization of The Bible and ancillary products, and Twentieth Century Fox will distribute the DVDs.

“I believe this project is going to be a cultural event and seismic in the entertainment world,” Simon Swart, executive vice president and general manager North America of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, told the audience.

 Elsewhere, The League of Incredible Vegetables wowed fans of the VeggieTales franchise. A standing-room-only crowd attended Big Idea’s latest release, which introduces four new superheroes played by Bob the Tomato (ThingamaBob), Petunia Rhubarb (Vogue), Junior Asparagus (Richochet) and Mr. Lunt (S-Cape)—all with humorous superhero abilities.

Set for release Oct. 13 and Oct. 16 in Christian and general markets, respectively, League is the fourth “LarryBoy” title.

The video includes a theme song by Dove Award-winning group Newsboys. The screening was introduced with a surprise appearance by lead vocalist Michael Tait and drummer Duncan Phillips.

Big Idea will release an extensive line of products in conjunction with the DVD.

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