Dear Friends,
Glory to God and to his son Jesus for the success of the 168 Film Festival 2009.

From the films, to the presentation, to the red carpet experience, to the jury and the presenters, it was absolutely stellar and far above anything previously achieved before in our 7-year history.

We couldn't have done it without Pastor Rick Fry and presenting sponsor Media City Church and sponsors tubeMogul, EIKI, Resurrection Pictures, Kino Flo, Regent University, Church Production Magazine, AJA, Video Systems, Out of Frame Rentals, Video Symphony, Arri, and Sony.

At the 2-day 168 Film Festival, we welcomed the likes of Ralph Winter, Producer of "X-MEN Origins: Wolverine," Zachary Levi, star of "Chuck," and many other celebrities both human and canine. There were 87 on hand from Guide Dogs of America, and 27 actual guide-dogs-in-training in the festival audience. (They came to watch Frank Lozano's "Guided," which tells the story of the families who raise guide dogs for the blind).

We welcomed 3 teams from England, two from Canada and many more from around the USA.

Media Coverage was strong, including coverage by the Daily News, Salt Lake Tribune, Santa Clarita Signal, and an exposee on KNBC-TV with Cary Berglund (which re-airs Sunday April 12th, 11:30 PM PST Ch. 4 on News Extra). Trinity Broadcasting covered us on Saturday (stay tuned for air date).

PLEASE go to the link below and write adoring reviews and commendations to KNBC-TV and reporter Cary Berglund for his excellent coverage of 168!!!!

KNBC-TV LINK:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/around_town/ the_scene/168_Film_Festival_Opens_in_LA_Los_An geles.html

(PS. The story does err on one point. 168 does not prohibit the quoting of verses in the films. We ask filmmakers NOT to DISPLAY THE VERSE ON SCREEN, because we already do that).

NEW this year was the $1 raffle, for which we gave away the following prizes to over 100 winners:

$1,000 in food from local area restaurants, Go cart racing, guided bus tours of Hollywood, tanning salon visits, billiards and the grand prize, an iPod touch.

The two festival After Parties put a huge smile on the faces of two Glendale restaurateurs. Friday night we went for Japanese/Thai Fusion at Aoba Restaurant, and Saturday, we were an estimated 400 people strong at the Outback Steakhouse! They finally kicked us out at around 3:30 AM, right on schedule.

Once again, congratulations to all the filmmakers, including those who won awards. You all make us look great!

Save the Date for the 168 Wrap Party Sat. May 9th, when our host will be legendary stuntman Mr. Bob Yerkes. His home includes a pool, jaccuzi and training compound for Cirque de Soleil and other performers. Don't miss the fun.

We invite our international friends to come if at all possible! The party will feature a Trapeeze Flying Chicken, courtesy Mr. Mike Capozzi and a special ceremony to honor our amazing volunteers. Massage Envy will provide courtesy massages for our volunteers!


Peace,

John David Ware, Founder/Director

168 Film Project

TV host and columnist RUSSELL INGOLD (Fontana Herald News Sports and Entertainment Show) bringing camera, pen to 168

L.A.based Londoners supermodel AMANDA ANNAN and model/actress JUDI SHEKONI confirmed 168 attendees

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” producer RALPH WINTER geared up for big premiere -- of 60+ shorts at 168 Film Festival, where he is presenting Best Film!

U.K. ex-pat actors TREVA ETIENNE and DARREN DANBOROUGH flocking to 168 Film Fest for U.K. entries “Unscripted,” “The Last Obey”

E! Online journo Blaire Hagata is beating a path to the 168, covering Sat. Apr. 4 red carpet arrivals and awards.

Well,

It's been a long trip through the turn in of all the films,
nominations and jury procedures.

Very exciting, the list of awards presenters for the 168 Film Festival.

All the nominations are on the website and the winners are selected
and sealed on 18 categories of awards. Here's the latest on the
parties, promos and paparazzi. Hope you can make it.

Please pray all goes well and that the power of these visual parables
reaches past the curtains towards the open window.

Peace,

John



168 Film Festival 2009 Scheduled Events

Friday, Apr. 3, 10AM-9PM
(United Community Church 333 E Colorado St. Glendale, CA 91205)

Saturday, Apr. 4, 10AM-Close (Awards Show 9:30pm-10:30pm)
(Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203)

Tickets ($10-35, VIP $65): http://store.168project.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc
818-557-8507. –OR- 818-243-ALEX http://www.alextheatre.org

$1 Raffle: Win an iPod Touch & hundreds of dollars in food and
services from Area Restaurants and Merchants! (Must be present to win)

Glendale Participation: Angela's Bistro, Aoba Restaurant, California
Pizza Kitchen, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Islands Restaurant, Lunchbox
Restaurant, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse.

Others: MB2 Raceway Sylmar, Knitting Factory Hollywood

Parties: To Celebrate the Filmmakers!
Friday After-Party: 9pm to midnite Aoba Restaurant 239 N. Brand Blvd.
JAPANESE-THAI FUSION AT 20% OFF!
Saturday After-Party:10:30pm-Late - Celebrate down under at the
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE 146 S Brand Blvd. (1 block south of Alex Theatre)

Extended Clip Reel: http://168project.ning.com/video/168-clip-reel-2009-4-min
Nominations: http://www.168project.com/news/196.cfm

Prize Package: Valued at $7500 for award winners!
-TubeMogul will provide a lifetime Business Account for the BEST
PICTURE award winners
-AJA Kona 3 I/O Card Value for the BEST PICTURE award winners (value $3,000)
-Out of Frame Prize: $1000 in production support rental credit
-Kino Flo Rental Credit $1,000
-Video Symphony donated $1500 in tuition for the Best Editor of 2009
-The Best Film Team will meet one-on-one with “X-MEN-Origins:
Wolverine” Producer Ralph Winter
-Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio: Donated Master Class Tuition for Best
Actor/Actress

Awards Show Scheduled Presenters Include:

Ralph Winter, Producer: “X-MEN Origins: Wolverine”
Howard Kazanjian, Producer: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Return
of the Jedi, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Zachary Levi, Star of NBC’s “Chuck”
Sy Richardson, Actor: The Coroner on "Pushing Daisies"
Michael Lehmann Boddicker, renowned synth player, grammy-winning composer
Brian Bird, Writer/Producer: "Touched by an Angel," "Not Easily Broken"
Gary Hall, Senior VP of 20th Century Fox Television
Rick Fry, Pastor of Media City Church
Kim Dorr, Talent agent and Pastor of Arts


Sponsors: Tubemogul, Eiki International, Regent University, AJA Video
Systems, Resurrection Pictures, Out of Frame, Church Production
Magazine, Kino Flo, Video Symphony, Arri and Sony