The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival hosted its inaugural event to sold-out audiences in the Central Texas town during the weekend of February 6-8, 2020. With its mission of being “dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all,” the first-ever festival illuminated every aspect of its mission with an all-encompassing event that featured an international competition of over 60 films that were screened at 11 participating venues, Hollywood studio movie releases presented at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre, professional education workshops, and community gatherings throughout the town of Waco.
“We are truly over the moon with the tremendous support we have received from the Waco community and the filmmakers for our inaugural film festival,” states Dr. Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Founder of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. “Our film festival was an outstanding first step in our attempt to leverage the power of storytelling to open hearts and minds, while bringing the Waco community together, and ultimately, doing our part to positively impact the film industry by presenting more diverse voices.”
During the Closing Night Awards Ceremony and Pre-Oscars Party on Saturday, February 8, 2020, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival announced its first cinematic award winners, which included-
Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film (USA)
“Bending in the Wind”
Grand Jury Prize For Best Short Film (International)
“Nassar Goes to Space”
Grand Jury Prize for Best Student Film (USA)
“Blackbird”
Grand Jury Prize for Best Student Film (International)
“New Brother”
Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (USA/International)
“Be the Light”
GB Lindsey Family Audience Award Winner
“Making a Difference”
The 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival also honored its first class of “Champions Award” recipients. This honor is dedicated to recognizing individuals and organizations who are exemplars of innovation as well as disruption in the film, TV, performing arts, and entertainment industry. The 2020 “Champions Awards” recipients included-
- David Littlewood, President of TFNB Bank: Your Bank for Life
- Gina Neely, Celebrity Chef and New York Times Best-Selling Author
- Sam Sorbo, Film Producer, Radio Host, Author, and International Model
- Kevin Sorbo (“Mr. Hercules”), Award-winning Actor and Film Director
The sponsors for the 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival included the festival’s Founding Partner, TFNB Bank: Your Bank for Life. The Gold Star Sponsors were
Creative Waco and Z’s at the Curry. The Awards Sponsor was the Magnolia Foundation. The festival’s Community Sponsors were Pruit Memorial Symposium at Baylor University, Hat Creek Burger Company, Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society, Delta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and Tru Jamaica. The Media Partners were KWTX-TV, Ch. 10 and M&M Broadcasters, LTD.
The 2021 dates for the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival will be February 4-6, 2021. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.WacoFilmFest.org.