The daily news is full of reports of leading figures in the public eye thanking their supporters for energizing and empowering them. 99U reports, “The Secret to an Efficient Team? Gratitude.” Referring to a John Templeton study and others, 99U states, “Studies, old and new, show significant and concrete correlations between increased gratitude and improved happiness—in work and in life.” Gratitude builds and strengthens strong teams. We also often hear those who have received honors and awards express their heartfelt gratitude to supporters.
In many exclusive interviews with leading producers, directors, writers, as well as actors with Sonoma Christian Home recently on the Red Carpet of the 24th Annual Movieguide® Awards for the best in family and redemptive movies and television, the ongoing theme was one of gratitude. SCH Editor at Large Dr. Diane Howard shares.
In Hollywood at the 24th Movieguide® Awards and Gala, at the Universal Hilton, Epiphany Prizes for Inspiring Movies & TV, provided by grants from the John Templeton Foundation, were given. The $100,000 Epiphany Prize for the Most Inspiring Movie of 2015 went to War Room with Stephen Kendrick graciously receiving the honor and prize on stage. (Other nominees for this award included: The 33, Brooklyn, Captive, Do You Believe, Manny, and Woodlawn.)
In an exclusive interview on the Red Carpet, Stephen Kendrick told how award shows such as this put “wind into the sails” of his work and that of his colleagues in redemptive filmmaking, who work to honor faith and family in movies. To Fox News, Stephen Kendrick said,“They are honoring these unsung heroes in the film world that focus in on making redemptive movies… strengthening faith rather than devaluing it…Building up marriages and family rather than tearing them down.”
At the Movieguide® Awards the Ten Best Movies for Families were also honored. The awards were graciously received on stage by producers, directors, and/or actors with these movies. Home was the top movie in this category. The rest included: The Peanuts Movie, Cinderella, The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out, Max, Shaun the Sheep Movie, War Room, Paddington, and The Spongebob Movie; Sponge Out of Water.
Also on the Red Carpet, Craig Schultz (writer/producer for The Peanuts Movie and son of creator Charles M. Schultz), talked about the importance of support for movies with timeless messages that do not embarrass and shock audiences.
Interviewing for Peanuts with Craig Schultz and Steve Martino; Photo Courtesy of Dr. Diane Howard.
The Bradley Foundation Faith & Freedom Award for Movies went to Joy. Bruno Gunn of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part Two, who is also grateful for supporters, chatted with Dr. Diane Howard for Sonoma Christian Home on the Red Carpet. He expressed gratitude for film organizations that affirm the power of faith.
The Grace Award for most inspiring movie performance by an actress went to Karen Abercrombie for War Room. The Grace Award for most Inspiring Movie Performance by An Actor went to Ted McGinley for Do You Believe? Ted and Karen both received their awards with humility, grace, and gratitude on the stage, as did all of the honorees.
The Grace Award for Most Inspiring TV Performance by an Actress at the Movieguide® Awards went to young Alyvia Alyn Lind for Dolly Parton’s Coat of many Colors. Alyvia’s acceptance speech was a show-stopper at the awards event when she enthusiastically accepted the award and said she “…was a fan of God.”
Interview with Kevin Sorbo on the Movieguide Red Carpet for SCH; Photo Courtesy of Dr. Diane Howard.
Kevin Sorbo, notable actor in many redemptive movies, including Gods Not Dead, was gracious and enthusiastic about the support and growth of redemptive movies. He shared about his latest project with Sonoma Christian Home: development of the TV series Miracle Man on NBC. Young Bobby Baxton from 90 Minutes in Heaven expressed how glad he was to be there at the awards show, which celebrates family encourages actors supporting faith films.
Sammy Aaron (Senyo Amoaku) of Do You Believe? was very enthusiastic in his interview for Sonoma Christian Home and where he shared how we are at a crossroads with faith awards shows and that “what is at stake in bigger than the awards.” He said it is rewarding to be involved with movies that deal constructively and boldly “with universal issues and real world problems.”
All of the the outstanding producers, directors, writers, as well as actors on the Red Carpet expressed gratitude to Sonoma Christian Home for their continued support.
Producer Ken Wales won the Movieguide Special Lifetime Achievement Award; Photo Courtesy of PRWeb.
The special award for lifetime achievement at the wonderful event went to Ken Wales, producer of Revenge of the Pink Panther, Christy, Amazing Grace, Captive and more. Ken was a dear, humble, kind gentleman on stage and in an exclusive interview said he has striven to produce good art for the human soul. He hopes to produce movies of excellence and quality which reach minds and hearts, communicate moral values, honor God, as well as give Light to the world.
Written by Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies), dianehoward.com
Leave a Reply