Crankin' up for October 2009!

Thanks to the continued support from our title sponsor Bojangles' as well as other businesses, churches, and many individuals, the 2009 Projecting Hope Film Festival is rolling ahead with an expected attendance of over 10,000. Hosted again at the Ayrsley Cinemas off of 485 and South Tryon, the Festival is planning to expand to three full-time screens for the October 23-24-25 weekend event. Festival director, Willie Mangum, shares, "We were overwhelmed at the response to the inaugural Film Festival! More than 6,000 folk came out for a weekend of entertainment and inspiration...all for FREE! We look forward to more movies, more families and more fun in 2009!" Festival RUMOR: An all-day Saturday Music Festival to be held outdoors adjacent to the theaters is under consideration! (FESTIVAL UPDATE: Live music all day Saturday has been CONFIRMED! OTHERWOODS, a band of believers that won this Spring's 106.5 Battle of the Bands, has signed on...stay tuned for updates) Festival FACT: We welcome volunteers to help us spread the word at their churches, businesses....and....everywhere! Festival NEED: In order to show great films for FREE all weekend, any and all financial help is appreciated and needed!

Impacting the Culture!

People have always loved stories...they give us a sense of the reality that there is a larger story going on around us...a grand adventure in which we were born to be a part. Because of this longing in every heart, it is no surprise that we are drawn to the stories told through movies and literature. We are blessed as we hear the many encouraging reports from the films shown at the Projecting Hope Film Festivals and wanted to share a few with you from folks around the country that were impacted by FIREPROOF:

I first saw FIREPROOF with my girlfriends, and then I knew that I had to see it with my husband. I had grown weary and asked him to leave. I had told him that on January 1st, 2009, I would be making changes to better my life. Now, today is Day 2 of our commitment to The Love Dare challenge. The movie was moving, inspirational, and hopeful for a brighter tomorrow, if we give it to God and fight for our marriage. We take turns reading The Love Dare book, reading and taking one day at a time. We have become excited about this 40-day journey, and about the changes we are about to go through as God transforms our minds and souls. We've already begun to recommend the movie and The Love Dare book to family and friends. God bless all those who have made this movie, and the resources that go along with it.

Click here for more testimonials

Wow! What a Festival!

Thanks to all who supported, promoted and attended the first Charlotte Projecting Hope Film Festival at the Arysley Cinemas on October 3rd-5th! We are still recovering from the overwhelming response as over 6,000 folks showed up to enjoy positive, redemptive films. As soon as we catch our breath we will post more details, photos, video! Stay tuned.

Film Fest Jammin' on Opening Night!

Wow! Quick update from the Fest.... Fans of inspirational films filled up the theaters last night - Friday, October 3rd! For those coming Saturday and Sunday...a review of the ticket process. Up to half the tickets for each movie may be secured a day or more ahead of time through the on-line ordering system at http://www.projectinghope.com/ for a five dollar service charge. Otherwise, tickets are available for free at 12:30 p.m. at the box office at Ayrsley for any films showing that day. You can get tickets for more than one movie at the window. We were blown away by Fireproof....folks we lined up by 11:30 a.m. on Friday to get tickets for the Friday night showing. Several hours before the evening showings last night, Fireproof, The Ultimate Gift, Billy:The Early Years, and The List were all "sold out"...good news and bad news! Our apologies to those who came to the theater and were not able to get it! We appreciate everyone's understanding and support of this event. More news to come.

Thanks to Robert Whitlow and Gary Wheeler of The List for sharing comments with the audience and fielding questions after the 9 p.m. show last night. Steve Taylor, producer of Second Chance, will do likewise tonight after the 9:30 p.m. Saturday showing.

"Saving God?" Say What?

Organizers for the Projecting Hope Film Festival had just put the finishing touches on the 2008 schedule when an overnight FEDEX package arrived. Inside was a screener's copy of a new movie starring Ving Rhames (Mission Impossible, Con Air). The film, said the attached note from the producer, wasn't completely finished. Out of curiosity, Scott Anderson, founder of the Projecting Hope Film Festival, decided to "skip through" the movie to get an idea of what the film was like. What he got, instead, was the chance to view a powerful and compelling story of courage and hope. He was so impacted by the film, the festival line-up was altered, and "Saving God" was added as an official selection."Saving God" will show on Saturday, October 4th at 9:25 PM and Sunday, October 5th at 8:30 PM. For more on the "Saving God", please click here.

Supporting the Cause!

Thanks to the support of our presenting sponsor, Bojangles', along with a number of individuals, businesses and churches, Projecting Hope is able to offer its films FREE of charge to the public. A special thanks goes out to a couple of groups that have recently come on board: Searching for Proof and Faith, the sponsors of Friday Late Night - an event tailored for area youth groups (see August 5 entry for more details) and the DeSoto/Holland Group of Morgan Stanley, sponsors of the Festival and underwriters of the five screenings of FIREPROOF!

NOTE: Showtimes and reserved ticket information will be available in a few days at http://www.projectinghope.com/

Famous Chicken and...Movies!

The famous Chicken 'n Biscuits folks-BOJANGLES'-have joined the Projecting Hope team as the Presenting Sponsor of our 2008 inaugural Charlotte-area event to be held October 3rd-5th. Scott Anderson, Projecting Hope founder, comments, "Bojangles' has expressed that this is the type of event they want to be a part of-something that will have a positive impact on the community. We're excited about having them as part of the team!"