Culver City to Host Spiritually-Minded Damah Film Festival
by Michael Ireland
April 26, 2007
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- Filmmakers from across the globe will be showing their projects to audiences at the 6th Annual Damah Film Festival May 4-6, 2007, in hopes that they will not only be appreciated for their technical talents but also for their ability to inspire and enlighten viewers. The Damah Film Festival will return to Culver City and showcase some of the best in faith-based and spiritually inspired short films. This year the festival will be hosted on the grounds of Culver Studios, a popular film site used in the classic "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Gone With the Wind" (1939), and more recently the award winning TV show "Arrested Development."
Widely-known for its exterior façade of a grand colonial mansion and picturesque grounds, during this year's festival, the Culver Studios will be displaying artistic beauty within the famous walls as well.
"We're excited to be back in Culver City," noted Damah's Executive Director, John Bucher, of the festival which began in 2001 in Seattle.
"We had such an amazing experience being in Culver City last year that we're back for more. Many of our filmmakers told us they loved the experience last year and we were listening."
"Damah", a Hebrew word meaning "a metaphor that transforms" or as "the merging of the known, the unknown and the transcendent," showcases the best in spiritual filmmaking in categories that range from 1-30 minutes.
Filmmakers who enter their films in the Damah Festival are chosen by a panel of celebrity judges, based on technical and spiritual aspects portrayed in the film. This year's celebrity jurors include Return of the Jedi producer Howard Kazanjian, X-Men helmer Ralph Winter, one of Japan's top film producers Kanjiro Sakura, Director Scott Derrickson, ICM executive Christopher Lockhart and others.
In addition to regular film screenings, audience members who attend the festival can also expect panel discussions, workshops and interactive screenings to stimulate discussion and expression.
Encouraged by a successful transition from Seattle, Washington and the increasing popularity of spiritual and faith-based films produced in Hollywood, the Damah Film Festival continues once again to provide a forum for spiritually minded filmmakers and audiences alike.
New Celebrity Jurors Added at Spiritually-Minded Damah Film Festival
The Damah Film Festival has always been known for its impressive list of celebrity jurors and this year is no exception as two new jurors have joined Damah's stellar cast. The first is Christopher Lockhart, the Executive Story Editor at ICM, a leading talent and literary agency in Los Angeles; the second, Dean Batali, former writer/producer for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and That 70s Show.
The two will be joining Damah veteran screenwriters like Janet Scott Batchler, (Batman Forever) one of only a dozen women accepted into the prestigious Directing Workshop for Women of the American Film Institute; Andy Chapman, a former Theater Director and Dramalogue Award winner for Outstanding Direction; Barry Cook, Director of Mulan (1998); director Scott Derrickson The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005); Emmy Award winning producer Howard Kazanjian, Producer of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi; veteran producer Hunt Lowry, (A Walk To Remember) (2003) Cinderella Story (2004),; multi-award winning Director/Writer/Producer Jonas McCord (The Body); Stephen McEveety, Producer of Passion of the Christ (2004) and Braveheart (2002); film critic and nationally syndicated radio talk show host Michael Medved; Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez; One of Japan's top film Producers Kanjiro Sakura; Aegis, (2006), Simon Swart, Senior Vice President at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Singer-Songwriter David Wilcox; Chris Willman, Senior Writer for Entertainment Weekly; and Ralph Winter, Producer of the X-Men films and Fantastic Four (2005).
Chosen by Damah's Board of Directors, the jurors are responsible for selecting the films that will be shown at the festival as well as voting for the award winners. But the jurors sometimes get awards as well. Last year Emily Rose director Scott Derrickson was given a special award for Excellence in Spiritual Filmmaking. Director Paul Feig (Freaks & Geeks) was previously honored for his movie I Am David (2003).
"It is always enjoyable to watch someone's passion, energy and talent manifest on the big screen," noted director and juror Derrickson. "It is inspiring to meet young filmmakers, and to think I might offer a bit of advice from my own career to help someone else succeed; that is a privilege."
To read more about the jury panel, filmmakers, screening times, and special events, please visit www.damah.com.
