LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15, 2008 – The annual $50,000 Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays (sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation) has announced 32 semifinalists for this year’s competition. The three winners – who will share the $50,000 prize – will be announced at the 16th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry on Feb. 12.

The semifinalists are:
                         “A Dog for Sally,” by Douglas Cloud; Searcy, Ark.
                         “A Moment of Silence,” by Anthony J. Marzano; Eustis, Fla.
                         “Angels on Earth,” by Caroline Friday; Marietta, Ga.
                         “The Benefactor’s Son,” by Christina Parker; Melbourne, Australia
                         “Breaking Free,” by Caroline Friday; Marietta, Ga.
                         “Cross of the Savage,” by Joseph Crouch; Los Angeles
                         “Dasher & Dancer,” by Steve Ellis; Humble, Texas
                         “December Story,” by William Jack Sibley; San Antonio, Texas
                         “Dogwood and Sycamore,” by William Gebby; Indianapolis
                         “Drum Reed,” by Edward Gillespie; Trumbull, Conn.
                         “Fool of Grace,” by Heather D. Waters; Alpharetta, Ga.
                         “The Gift,” by Jeremy Hoffpauir; Fort Worth, Texas
                         “Glory Man,” by Dennis J. Hassell; Toronto, Ontario
                         “Hallelujah Anyhow,” by Martin D. Hooks; Oklahoma City
                         “Hearts of Wax,” by Leslie Ruth Damude; London, Ontario
                         “If by Chance,” by Guy W. Forest; San Pedro, Calif.
                         “The Miracle of Edith Stein,” by Chris DelliCarpini; Los Angeles
                         “Other People’s Kids,” by S.D. Terrell; Detroit
                         “Pieces of Eight,” by Tommy Wood and Marc Benton; Lawrenceville, Ga.
                         “Power & Pride,” by Jeff Evans; Gold River, Calif.
                         “The Sacred Fire,” by Mark Villano; Hamden, Conn.
                         “Sanctuary,” by Kendra Prince; Fort Worth, Texas
                         “Stairways,” by James G. Rogers; St. Davids, Penn.
                         “Struck,” by Mark Littleton; Gladstone, Mo.
                         “Through Fire and Water,” by Steve Snow and Brent Laffoon; Los Angeles
                         “To the Ice,” by Ruth Ellen Johnson; Huntington Beach, Calif.
                         “Touched,” by Rusty Whitener; Pulaski, Virg.
                         “Underground Railroad,” by Catherine E. Cook; Los Angeles
                         “What’s a Girl to Do?,” by Janet L. Folger; Fort Lauderdale
                         “The Widower,” by Ryan LaForge; Atlanta
                         “Wishland,” by Kevin Lasit; Fremont, Calif.
                         “The Wrong Bus,” by John Hampton; Palm Springs, Calif.

In addition to the $50,000 prize, which already sets the contest apart from other screenwriting competitions, the top three winners will have their scripts reviewed by major studio executives, including the likes of Disney’s Dick Cook and Dreamworks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg. Many writers in Hollywood work for years to have that opportunity – and it often never happens.

The winners will be flown to Hollywood for the 16th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry on Feb. 12, attended by more than 200 top executives, filmmakers and celebrities. The Templeton Foundation-sponsored Epiphany Prize winners will also be announced at the event, which will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

More information about the competition is available at www.kairosprize.com. 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 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.

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