New studio focuses on faith-friendly flicks

Bobby Downes is no stranger to faith-friendly films and now he's looking to make even more of them for the global market with the launch of his own studio, EchoLight.

Downes has worked on no less than 12 films to date, one of his most recent being Like Dandelion Dust starring Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino.

The first film to be released under EchoLight has its premiere in Hollywood this Saturday ahead of its DVD release on 3 July.

25 Hill tells the story of a young boy and an old man both affected by tragedy who find the faith to go on as they ready a car for the All-American Soap Box Derby.

The film is written and directed by Corbin Bernsen (Rust, Psych, L.A. Law). He stars in the film alongside Nathan Gamble from A Dolphin's Tale and Ralph Waite from TV show "The Waltons".

The soundtrack features music by Dove Award winners Third Day and Brandon Heath.

"At a time when we're intent on rebuilding our country, it's great to celebrate a community event that starts at the family level, showcases our competitive spirit and speaks directly to children about the importance of our family traditions and history," said Bernsen.

Other films slated for release this year are "Undaunted", documenting the early life of Josh McDowell, and "I Am ... Gabriel", starring Dean Cain from TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and John Schneider, of October Baby.

In addition to the films releasing this year, EchoLight is also on the hunt for new films to distribute as well as new film concepts to turn into movies for the faith-and-family arena.

"At EchoLight, we are taking films from concept to release and working with filmmakers to distribute their already-produced work," says Downes, President of EchoLight.

"It's a one-stop platform for quality filmmaking and faith-and-family content," adds EchoLight chief executive Gen Fukunaga.

EchoLight has just started work on a new feature film starring Erin Bethea, who played Kirk Cameron's wife in Fireproof.

EchoLight Chief Global Stategist Christopher Morrow explains, "We just started filming this month our new feature project with the working title Redemption, and we are already discussing the possibilities of creating an entire series.

"EchoLight has financed an additional six movies, which are in various stages of pre-production."
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