The International Society for Excellence in Christian Film & Television is a group of like-minded Believers who have come together to pool their contacts, resources and energy to create a society which will offer encouragement, praise and support to the television industry and filmmakers who are creating high quality drama, comedy and documentary programs for distribution to the general public from a Christian viewpoint.
Our society is non-denominational and its members come from various expressions of the Christian faith in several countries. We are adamant in our belief that reaching the world for Christ in the 21st century requires the use of network television and mainstream movies. We know that in order to compete in that arena Christian film and television must not only strive for excellence, but it must achieve excellence. It is our aim to seek out those creating film and television productions sympathetic to the Christian perspective who deserve recognition for excellence both for their effort and their product.
There are also several things we are not organized to do. We are not called to judge the personal lives of filmmakers or challenge their motives. We are not about engaging in a war against Hollywood or dictating to them our terms for peace. Although we know that the Word of God is a spiritual sword, we do not belief that it is a weapon to be used to separate what is deemed to be secular from what is acceptably “Christian.”
The Bible tells us that some will proclaim the message of Christ out of selfish ambition, but reminds us to rejoice in the knowledge that whether in pretense or in truth, the message still goes out. Making a profit from films and television production is not a sin; it’s a good thing.
We serve a most excellent and Holy God whose “special effects” have astounded the world for eons. His Word is excellent and powerful. We believe that with ample encouragement and funding, His people can make top quality television and films and consequently reach the world.
Much of our time and energy is spent introducing other Christians to the mission field that is film and television. Like all other mission fields, this one has to be generously supported in order to survive.
It is also our goal to serve as a “think tank” which explores new and alternative sources for funding the Christian film and television industries. In future, we intend to create the CFT Excellence Foundation that will assist with quality projects if they should get into financial difficulty during production and, ultimately, to offer grant money for the production of worthy projects which have failed to find financial backing elsewhere.
International Society for Excellence in Christian Film & Television, Jamestown, South Atlantic Island of St. Helena.
International Society for Excellence in Christian Film & Television
