Ministry Launches International Filmmaker Contest

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodness Reigns, a filmmakers ministry, has announced its call for entries to its 2018 "Share the Story" Short Film Contest. Open to everyone anywhere and of any age, this World Youth Day-based competition seeks to encourage Christian video artists to create short works that promote the good, the beautiful, and the true. Contest winners receive cash prizes and international recognition during the 2019 World Youth Day (WYD) in Panama City, Panama. Goodness Reigns is an official partner in the WYD Youth Festival.

"We're looking for any opportunity to nurture the next generation of young movie makers, video artists, and those looking to showcase their story through the powerful medium of film," said founder, Suzanne Haugh, director of the Louisville, Kentucky-based organization. "If we can also help connect these budding directors to industry professionals who can help improve their craft or technique, then that's a bonus!"

As participants in three previous WYDs—Madrid, Rio, Kraków—Goodness Reigns addresses the need for 'Missionary Dynamism' with its youth-centered contest and has helped many young filmmakers including Gabriel Castillo, a 2011 contest winner, who later founded his own production company and continues to share his Catholic faith through media. Castillo most recently developed the Goodness Reigns Film School, a free online resource for with YouTube videos on filmmaking.  

"Sometimes it's about knowing that as an aspiring filmmaker, you are not alone," said Castillo, a 2006 University of St. Thomas graduate who was raised as a pagan. "Goodness Reigns is fostering an amazing community of young filmmakers, who can share their ideas—and their faith—with World Youth Day and the Church as a whole." 

As the contest is now an official part of World Youth Day, the deadline has been extended for contest submissions in all categories and are due by Midnight October 28, 2018, and can be up to 7 minutes long. The top award offerings for the 2018 Share the Story Contest are $1,000 each with several categories:

Youth Award (18 and younger), Adult Award (over 18), Music Video Award (for an original composition), and the Good Samaritan in Media Award, presented in support of a present-day missionary or non-profit organization in a local church, school, or community. The full video contest submission page and rules are located at www.goodnessreigns-contest.com.

CONTACT: Victor Pap, 1-617-212-1302, [email protected]

SOURCE Goodness Reigns