British film takes top honours at biblical film festival

A short film produced by Reel Issues Films and Riding Lights Theatre Company and supported by Bible Society, has taken top honours at the 168 Hour Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, Fantastic Four) presented the prestigious Best International Film award to producers Jackie Sheppard and Luke Walton for the film Unscripted.

It also won Best Drama Screenplay for Nigel Forde, and Rachel Wilcock won Best Supporting Actress. Young film maker Fiona Watts' short film, on the making of Unscripted, was awarded the prize for Best Behind the Scenes documentary. Unscripted also made a festival record after being given 14 nominations.

Unscripted was produced as part of the Los Angeles-based 168 Project which challenges teams to create a film of no more than 11 minutes, based on a Bible verse, within 168 hours - one week. This year’s theme was ‘Family Business’.

The film tells of an actor’s personal journey set in the family environment of the rehearsal room. Through a 'baptism of fire' of improvisation, he has to face his own failings. The film asks how we would respond if we should hear, in an unforgettable way, the full affirmation of a parent figure. It also challenges parents to give avowal to their children – not for what they have done or achieved - but simply for who they are.

Bible Society also supported Bristol’s Handy Cloud Productions film One, a comedy set in Britain just after the First World War and based on the enduring nature of marriage. Film makers Geoff Hall and Tim Woodford were in LA for the screening of the film which was well received by the audience.

The judges for the competition included critically-acclaimed Hollywood producers: Howard Kazanjian (Star Wars, Return of the Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark); Mark Clayman (The Pursuit of Happyness) and Bill Ewing (The End of the Spear).

Awards were presented by Zachary Levi (Chuck and An American Carol) and Ralph Winter.

Luke Walton, Arts Development Officer for Bible Society, said, "My work is to encourage those working in the arts to ponder the stories of the Bible for artistic inspiration. This film shows just what can be achieved – even in one week – when such a challenge is taken up.

"Movies have a universal appeal and can enable the discussion of complex and difficult themes as Unscripted seeks to do. The competition is a great platform for Bible Society to extend and develop its work with film."

Speaking about their numerous awards, Unscripted producers Jonathan Brown, Jackie Sheppard and Luke Walton said, "These awards are a great outcome and a reflection on the passion and commitment shown by the crew and cast who worked on the film."

Unscripted will screen in York in April. A shortened version of Unscripted has also been entered into The Doorpost film project and can be seen at www.thedoorpost.com where viewers can vote for the film in order for it to make it through to the next stage.

Reel Issues Productions is currently working on a new apprenticeship scheme for emerging and new film makers, due for launch later this year. It will encourage people to explore the Bible’s message using their skills and interests in film-making.