$50,000 KAIROS PRIZE OPENS ITS DOORS: |
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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19, 2007 – Movieguide® today announced that the Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays (sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation) is accepting submissions for its annual scriptwriting competition. For this year’s contest, entrants that have previously earned less than $5,000 now will be accepted, where before entrants must not have earned any income. “While we have always had a robust competition, we’ve heard response from several writers that they could not submit their scripts because they had earned some small success in screenwriting,” Dr. Jack Templeton, president of the Templeton Foundation, said. “Because we truly want to see the best scripts out there, we realized we needed to make this small accommodation for these writers. We are pleased to have widened the competition with this one change.” Now in its third year, the Kairos Prize awards $50,000 to the top three screenplays that are wholesome, uplifting and inspirational, and which result in a greater increase in either man’s love for or understanding of the “one true creator God.” Appropriate themes would be those that are redemptive, have a heightened quality of devotion and love, and communicate that humanity can have a relationship with God. In addition to the monetary prizes for the top three winners, their names and scripts will be announced at the 16th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry in February of 2008, attended by more than 200 top executives, filmmakers and celebrities. Dr. Ted Baehr, as Founder and Executive Producer of Movieguide® and Founder and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission™, will also announce the Templeton Foundation-sponsored Epiphany Prizes at the event. Previous winners have seen their screenplays reviewed and considered by key Hollywood decision makers, including Disney’s Dick Cook and DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg. In the two-year history of the competition, several of the top scripts are still being considered by significant film production companies with the Grand Prize winner from its first year, JOHN, THE REVELATOR by David M. Anthony, is currently set for production through Pure Flix Entertainment later this year. The Kairos Prize was established as a result of Sir John Templeton’s long-held belief that the media – and specifically the entertainment media – plays a role in how individuals form their ideas about morality and spirituality. He determined that individuals and companies should be encouraged to produce entertainment with positive messages about faith and values. “We are so honored to have been chosen by the Templeton Foundation to assist them in seeking out entrants and in judging and awarding these prizes,” president and founder Dr. Ted Baehr said. “We appreciate the Templeton Foundation’s recognition of the importance and impact of the media, but more than that, their willingness to do something to influence it for the good.” More information and submission guidelines are available at www.kairosprize.com. The deadline for early entries is Nov. 2; the late deadline is Dec. 7. Semi-finalists will be notified by late January 2008. A comprehensive understanding of the type of scripts the Kairos Prize will be awarding can be found in Dr. Ted Baehr’s book, So You Want to Be in Pictures, available at www.movieguide.org. The prize values awarded are $25,000 for Grand Prize, $15,000 and $10,000 for first and second runner-ups, respectively. The value of the Kairos Prize makes it competitive with some of the biggest contests in the industry, and puts it at the top for awards in this category. The John Templeton Foundation was established in 1987 by renowned international investor Sir John Templeton to encourage a fresh appreciation of the critical importance — for all peoples and cultures — of the moral and spiritual dimensions of life. The Foundation is a significant funder of character education programs in the United States and throughout the world. The Foundation’s philanthropic vision is to support cost-effective programs that transmit and reinforce such enduring qualities as honesty, compassion for those less fortunate and a strong work ethic. The Foundation’s philanthropic portfolio includes research on the nature and benefits of thrift, forgiveness, purpose, honesty, gratitude, humility, perseverance, generosity, worship and prayer. The Christian Film & Television Commission™ is dedicated to redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles: by influencing media executives to adopt higher standards imbued with Christian and traditional family values; and by informing and equipping moral people in America and around the world, especially parents, families and Christians, to make wise media choices based on the biblical worldview. MOVIEGUIDE®: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment is the monthly publication of the Christian Film & Television Commission. More information can be found at www.movieguide.org. |
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— 30 — NOTE TO EDITORS: Dr. Ted Baehr is available for interviews regarding the Kairos Prize. Please contact Melany Ethridge at (972) 267-1111 or via email at [email protected], for more information or to arrange an interview.
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