SonScreen                                       [Main Story]

Beginning in October, 2002, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America has staged an annual SONscreen Film Festival for the purpose of showcasing great film work. The festival brings together people of all ages who have a passion for using film and video for the purpose of creating timely and relevant productions for social awareness, outreach, and uplifting creative entertainment. It has become the destination for established and up-and-coming Christian filmmakers to share their creative work, gain exposure, and network with other media and film professionals.
 
This year’s event, April 4-6, convened at the Adventist Media Center^[link], Simi Valley, CA, with the theme “Chronicles: Stories that speak truth and change lives.” It featured Actor/Producer David A.R. White and special film screenings of The Record Keeper and Hell and Mr. Fudge.
 
George Johnson Jr., communication director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America and Festival executive director, sees the festival as a way “to open the door for mentoring, networking and internship possibilities, as well as motivate and encourage producers to keep doing what they are doing to creatively use their talents for the Lord.” And Dan Weber, associate communication director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America and Festival producer, said that it “showcases a variety of films, often ones that reflect the themes of redemption, tolerance, equality, truth, and hope.”
 
Winners in this year’s seven categories were:
 
Best Ministry Award for Community Services
“Then Came Sandy”
By Sam Napod, Nina Vallado and Jon Greaves
Newbury Park Academy
 
 
Best Ministry Award for Ministerial/Pastoral
“The Irrevocable Call”
By Felicia Tonga and Erin Hotchkis
La Sierra University
 
 
“The Creative Eye”
By James Constantine
Dobbins, CA
 
 
Best Documentary
“Run for Reece”
By Crystal Case
Ooltewah, TN
 
 
Best Dramatic Short
“In the Grey”
By Dillan Forsey
Southern Adventist University
 
 
The Jonathan Dulan High School Award
“How Deep”
Austin Mock
Mesa Grande Academy
 
 
The Audience Choice Award
“Dario”
By Peter Han
Pacific Union College
 
 
Best in Fest
“In the Grey”
By Dillan Forsey
Southern Adventist University