Cinematic Arts Premiere Weekend to entertain and educate the community

Liberty University’s sixth-annual Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center Premiere Weekend will once again bring audiences screenings of fresh, entertaining films many of which have yet to be released to the public.

The film festival, running from Sept. 21-23, is free and open to the public. Movie screenings will be held Thursday and Friday inside an existing theater space at Jump Lynchburg (the former Cinemark Movies 10) in the Candlers Station Shopping Center. There will also be panel discussions featuring entertainment industry professionals, including writers, directors, producers, and film distributors on Saturday inside Green Hall, Rooms 1847, 1870, and 1871. (Visit Liberty.edu/CinemaPremiere for a detailed schedule.)

Audiences will have the opportunity to see faith-inspired features, including “God Bless the Broken Road.” The film pays tribute to those who serve in the U.S. military and tells the story of a young mother who loses her husband in Afghanistan and struggles to raise their young daughter in his absence. Kevin Sorbo’s feature film directorial debut, “Let There Be Light,” written by acclaimed screenwriter Dan Gordon, will also be screened. Another featured film is “Mully,” based on the true story of Charles Mully, whose unlikely rise to wealth and power leaves him searching for meaning in life.

The weekend will also include an encore showing of “Extraordinary,” produced by the Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center in collaboration with Working Title Agency. The film was created and produced in-house and achieved the first-ever national theatrical release for a student-driven film project. The movie features Leland Klassen (“Alter Egos”), Shari Rigby (“October Baby”), Karen Abercrombie (“War Room”), Chris Ashworth (“The Wire”), and Kirk Cameron (“Fireproof”).

A few 2017 film department graduates will also be given the opportunity to showcase their own short films. The projects were all winners in the 2017 Cinematic Arts Student Showcase, an annual event held at the end of each academic year where faculty recognize outstanding student films.

“These showcase winners will inspire current students to see their potential and to create,” said Scotty Curlee, assistant professor of cinematic arts.

“There’s something in it for everyone,” he added. “Not only are we showing great, inspiring films, but the filmmakers are going to sit down and explain why they made them.”

Recent graduate and aspiring director Caleb Natale will be hosting a screening of his film, “Full Circle.”

“I’m really looking forward to showcasing my own work as well as seeing films I haven’t seen before,” Natale said. “The audience can learn a lot from the successes and trials of professionals.”

The event will include panel discussions about Christian and mainstream filmmaking as well as workshops and breakout sessions. These will incorporate renowned guests from the film industry.

This year’s guests include Stephen Schultze, executive director of the Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center; Dan Gordon, screenwriter and producer (“Let There Be Light,” “The Hurricane,” “Highway to Heaven”); Andy Fraser, producer (“God Bless the Broken Road”); Dan Helberg, senior vice president of business and legal affairs (Shed Media); Penelope Glass, president (Law Offices of Penelope Glass); and Kyle Thompson, president-movie division (Catalyst Resource Group).