- Home
- About Us
- Faculty
- Film School
- Film Festival
- Gideon Gala
- Honored Authors
- Intern Program
- News
- Registration/ Fees
- Schedule
- Sponsors
- Workshops
- Contests
- Photo Gallery
- Join
- Contact Us
Faculty
Carol Anderson (Acting Director)
Carol Anderson is a professional actress whose film version of her one woman show on eating disorders, A Size 7 Forever, aired on PBS. She followed this by developing the national touring theatre company Acts of Renewal. Carol performs solo or with husband Jim Shores at national conferences, colleges, universities and church events across the country. Among her other credits, she is seen as Lauren in Scenes from a Marriage on screen at FamilyLife Weekend to Remember events across the country. Her voice has been heard on Adventures in Odyssey and as narrator on the film project Sharefest that was the 2009 recipient of the Gold Ava award for excellence. Carol has taught acting, directing and playwriting at Montreat College and has also conducted acting workshops at universities across the country. She trained at Trinity Rep Conservatory and received her MFA in Acting from UNC-Chapel HIll where she also worked at PlayMakers Repertory Company.
An award-winning cinematographer, Arledge Armenaki has more than 30 feature film and documentary television credits and decades of behind-the-camera experience.
He recently served as Director of Photography for "Wesley," a feature film about the adventures and challenges of religious leader John Wesley. Reviewers have described the historical drama as "beautifully filmed" and the "best film of its type." Wesley is screening at the festival.
He has been the cinematographer on over 30 narrative films and TV shows such as "Club Fed," "Howling V" and "Dennis the Menace," but also on documentaries such as "Focus on Africa," which chronicled photographers' efforts in Tanzania and Kenya to save African wildlife. Film festival awards recognizing Armenaki's work include Best Cinematography for "A Letter From my Father" and the North Carolina Filmmaker Award for "Surrendering in a Champions World."
In addition, Armenaki has helped train many other cinematographers. He
served as head of the cinematography program in the Department of Film at
the Brooks Institute of Photography, where Armenaki himself earned his
Bachelor of Performing Arts in 1974. He completed a one-year fellowship at
the American Film Institute and was a filmmaker in residence and instructor
of cinematography at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Armenaki
currently is an associate professor of cinematography in the Stage and
Screen Department in the Motion Picture Program at Western Carolina University.
A believer in the need for positive, all-ages entertainment, Ben Avery created and wrote Zondervan's graphic novel series TimeFlyz and the comic book miniseries ArmorQuest to entertain readers with an exciting story, but also inspire and encourage readers to stand up and make a difference in their world.
Avery also co-founded and serves as editor-in-chief of Community Comics, a Christian comic book studio that produces content, helps connect artists with clients, and helps publishers package and develop graphic novels and comic books. His work has been published by Marvel Comics, Zondervan, Image Comics, and numerous small press publishers. He has also written for the Emmy award winning series Auto-B-Good.
Currently, Avery is working on a webcomic series, Music of the Spheres; finishing up three graphic novel series for Zondervan; and writing a prequel and sequel to the independant comic book hit The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles. He works for Rising Star Studios, where he is developing ArmorQuest into a character building education supplement. In addition to writing, he has been an English teacher, a college resident director, and a youth treatment specialist for sexually abused children. Avery has served for seven years as a children's minister at his church in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and four children. Learn more about Ben at Ben Avery Online.
.jpg)
Art is the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Leesburg as well as the CEO of Kingstone Media, a central Florida based company that publishes graphic novels, comics, and cinematic novels for the faith and crossover general market. The company's first movie has been translated into Arabic, Farsi, and Hakka Chinese and the comics are being translated into numerous languages internationally. His wife Kelly is a television director and heads up the television ministry at the church and television production with Kingstone. Their oldest son Ben starts law school this fall and their youngest son Alex begins seminary.
Angelo Ballestero's personal goal in life is to know God. Second to that, everything he does is Christ, "from Him and to Him." Romans 1:36 has become a reality for the musically talented artist from Florida.
Music has played an important role in Angelo's life over the years. He spent his teen years and early twenties writing and singing secular songs. At the age of 24, Angelo began a relationship with Jesus Christ. About a year later, he was invited to sing at a Sunday morning church service.
The experience has led Angelo to write many songs for God including the moving pop tune, The Wind Will Carry Me. The song won Overall Grand Prize in Songwriting at the Seventeenth Annual Christian Artist's Music Seminar.
One part of Angelo's vision for his music is to continue writing and recording original songs like The Wind Will Carry Me, songs that will inspire believers to grow spiritually and worship God. Then, to share those songs through "Worship Evangelism" events and concerts.
Most recently, Angelo created the music for a film project for Adam Walsh, the host of America's Most Wanted.
Shelly is an extraordinary woman of passion, energy and fun, on a mission to help women see the beauty God created in them, both inside and out.
In today's beauty-obsessed world, she is one of the few inspirational experts in beauty and health from a positive perspective. Her professional experience ranges from mural artist, actress, makeup artist to authoring "Beauty by God, Inside Out Secrets for Every Woman" published by Regal January 2009 and produced the companion DVD Behind the Scenes for Beauty by God.
Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, esthetician/makeup artist, and beauty expert for CBN.com-monthly columnist for Christian Women Online, The Family Groove, and contributor for Beautiful One Magazine, Natural Solutions Magazine, HairCut & Style Magazine, Celebrity Hairstyles; Short Hair Style Guide & OnCourse magazine.
As a graduate of the prestigious International Academy, she teaches the art of makeup to instructors. Shelly is a certified herbalist and a graduate of the top makeup school in the industry, Joe Blasco.
Keeping abreast of the latest techniques is a must in the fashion industry. Shelly studied makeup technique under five-time Emmy Award-winner Eve Pearl, makeup artist for "The Today Show" and she has been a makeup expert for Jane Iredale cosmetics. Shelly also participates in the annual International Esthetics Cosmetics & Spa conference and various Writers and Film conferences. She has also appeared as a beauty expert for Better TV New York, NBC Midday Nashville, NBC Morning Show Orlando, The Today Show NBC New York, Every Day With Marcus & Lisa Atlanta, TBN International-Praise The Lord Show and Better Mornings CBS Atlanta. As a guest Shelly has been on radio stations across the Country including as a returning beauty expert for Martha Stewart Radio.
Shelly Ballestero lives in Florida with her husband Angelo Ballestero, and their two young boys Angelo II and Christopher.
Brian Bird
We're sorry to announce, that Brian will not be able to attend the Gideon this year. The production schedule of his newest film has been moved up and it conflicts with this year's Gideon. We pray that Brian's film will touch many souls.
Katrina Cook is a Casting Director & owner of Katz Kasting, a Texas-based Full-service Casting Company with a nationwide project portfolio. Katrina currently casts roles from non-speaking(extras) to speaking(principals), on both union & non-union projects. She has worked on various Film, TV, Music Video & Commercial productions, and for such networks as Lifetime, ABC, NBC, FOX & VH1. She is passionate about helping others get their foot in the door and actively hosts workshops and classes directing new talent down the right path. She is also very involved in her home church, Fellowship Church, where she volunteers on a regular basis. In her spare time she can be seen cruising the Caribbean or traveling the USA for both work and pleasure!
Jack Eason
Jack Eason has been around the block more than a few times. Having led worship, speaking, and performing concerts for over 10 years, he's seen a lot. Eason's messages connect with the young and young-at-heart. Based out of Upstate, SC, Jack has been in student evangelism for almost 20 years. Thousands of student events later, he travels nearly 100 dates a year speaking around the country, challenging students with talks that cover topics like PRIDE, WORSHIP, COMMITMENT, SACRIFICE, and SUFFERING. Jack desires to live a life that is real before people, honestly showing the struggles of day-to-day holy living. Jack serves on staff with Xtreme Youth Alliance, new home to THE SOUND OF LIGHT Radio Network, and Xtreme Talk Live Radio Network. Jack's primary focus now is traveling around the country as a professional fundraiser for Christian radio stations.
www.jackeason.com.
Jack has also written numerous songs, his latest recorded by Newsong which is on their Rescue album. He's also the lead singer of the band Jupiter Wind and is working with Dale Oliver (Nashville) who is the producer for Casting Crowns and other top name groups. Recently, Christianity Today gave their three song CD a 4 star review. Jupiter Wind and Dale Oliver recently had a new CD released and their song He's Alive was chosen to be one of the tracks for the new movie called 33HOPE (www.33hope.com), the "sequel" to Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. 33HOPE picks up where the Passion left off (the resurrection) and goes through the ascension. You can watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDA9izY94Tw&feature=player_embedded
George Escobar
George Escobar is a former Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute. He has worked in Hollywood as a freelance story analyst, creative executive, and assistant to the director on Love Boat, Dynasty, Hotel, and several other television pilots, including Members Only, produced by Leslie Moonves, who is now the CEO of CBS Broadcasting Network.
Escobar was an Executive Director for AOL Broadband and was VP for Tele-TV,
an interactive TV company headed by Howard Stringer, now Sony's CEO. Escobar reported to David Grant and Sandy Grushow, both from Fox Network, who later became President of Fox TV Studios, and Chairman of Fox Television
Entertainment Group, respectively. Escobar was later Vice President of
Product Development for Discovery Communications.
Escobar has invented various video authoring tools and Internet predictive
viewing and browsing technologies which have been awarded seven U.S.
patents. He also has experience in the field of animation and was a
contributing author to Kit Laybourne's revised edition of "The Animation
Book."
In 2007, Escobar founded Advent Film Group (AFG). He co-directed and
produced AFG's first film, COME WHAT MAY, which was released by Provident
Films on March 17, 2009 to Christian bookstores and online retailers
nationwide. AFG's second film, HERO, is now in post- production and is poised for a theatrical release in Spring 2011. Escobar and his AFG business partner, Mike Snyder, are in pre-production for a true-story period movie set during the French and Indian war.
Escobar is a regular film workshop and keynote speaker at homeschool state
and national conventions, including those held in Virginia, North Dakota,
New Mexico, Georgia, Florida, and New York. He teaches a popular 2-Day Film
Workshop centering on business and distribution for Christians who want to
establish their film production company.
Steve Feldman
Emmy award winning TV director Steven Feldman has worked with talent as varied as Bill Nye, Linda Ellerbee, Bill Maher and Elmo for PBS, CBS, Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, MSNBC and Discovery. His credits include Sesame Street, the 'Nick News, Politically Incorrect, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Suess, the current Nickelodeon hit, Lazy Town and the debut musical theatre production for Walden Media, Rock Odyssey.
In addition he has produced and directed documentaries on prison life for MSNBC and is currently developing a documentary feature about the life of David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam." Mr. Feldman lives in Nashville with his wife Leah, daughters Mary and Sarah, cats Daisy, Thea and Oliver, and Sam Hill, a perpetually growing standard poodle.
We're sad to announce that Mitchell will not be able to join us this year. He had a scheduling conflict.
Eric S. Highland is the CEO of HOSFU LC, an Albuquerque-based company dedicated to promoting Christ around the world through film. HOSFU is a hub for Christians in filmmaking and other forms of visual media, acting as a meeting point where artists from different niches can network, find resources and further the careers to which God has called them.
Eric has served as a consultant and publicist for a number of the largest and most recognizable Christian film production companies in the world, as well as micro projects, ministries, actors and film crew members. He is also a national-level public speaker. This is his second year on faculty at the Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival.
Eric has had an extensive background in the performing arts. As a singer he has toured Asia, played the lead in an opera, cut three albums and sang with Luciano Pavarotti. Within the world of theater, Eric has directed multiple stage productions and has years of experience in acting, including time spent as a key player at the Seattle Children's Theater.
Jason Hildebrand is a professional actor, award-winning filmmaker, and communication coach. He has performed in theater, film and television, and continues to tour the globe with his acclaimed solo performances including: The Prodigal Trilogy, Life of David, Blue Like Jazz/Live and Kingdom of Herod. He also works with organizations, theater and film companies and educational institutions in various capacities throughout North America and Europe. Jason has developed, produced and starred in the multi-award winning short film, The Prodigal Trilogy and a multi-media film adaptation of Donald Miller's best-selling book Blue Like Jazz. Jason holds a BFA Honours degree in performance from the York University acting school in Toronto, Canada. Jason, his wife and four children live in downtown Toronto. In October 2010, Jason has been invited to be part of a team representing Canada at the Lausanne Conference of World Evangelism in Cape Town, South Africa. For more information about Jason and his upcoming projects visit, www.jasonhildebrand.com.
Bonnie Johnson was a secretary for over 40 years but was bitten by the acting bug at a very early age. As a teenager, she watched Billy Graham movies at her church and was inspired to use her acting talent to glorify the Lord. After doing community theatre for many years, she found her true passion in 1986 when she had a speaking role in her first feature film. Since then, Bonnie has had a principal in over 50 feature films/TV movies and commercials and has worked with such stars as Denzel Washington, Tommy Lee Jones and Robin Williams. Her most recent role was playing the neighbor of Miley Cyrus and Greg Kinnear in the feature film, "The Last Song," scheduled to be released in theatres April 2010.
Her favorite co-star, of course, is her dashing husband, Ted, and she gives praise to the Lord for allowing them to work together on many projects. In 2008 they got paid to take a Caribbean cruise while shooting a training video for the crew of Princess Cruise Lines. They also played Andie MacDowell's parents in the feature film, "The 5th Quarter," which was filmed in Winston-Salem and will be released in theatres soon.
Erica Lane creates songs that not only display a blend of musical genres and overlaying harmonies but also capture the wonder of life through intense, resonating lyrics. A former Miss Houston and graduate of Texas Tech University, Erica studied opera with soprano Kathy McNeil, performed at the Miss Texas Pageant on multiple ocassions, and was featured on Johnnie High's Country Music Review. With notable performances at venues such as Life Light Festival (Artist Ovation winner), The Promise at Glenrose, Lifeway's Gideon Media Arts Conference, Sam Houston Raceway, Embassy Club, Camden House of Beverly Hills, Moondance Awards Gala, and St Paul's Cathedral in London (ensemble), along with featured music on soundtracks of over half a dozen film and television projects, she has earned her status as a respected independent artist of her genre. More importantly, Erica is compelled to bring a message of hope as well as a deep connection to God's spell bounding beauty. Erica Lane is currently the host of the TV series "Inspired Ambition", which currently airs on FamilyNet and JCTV national networks. Check out Erica's comings and goings at www.ericalanemusic.com
Yvonne Lehman (Honored Author Co-Director)
Yvonne is an award-winning, best-selling author of 48 novels. She founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years, is founder and director of the Blue Ridge "Autumn in the Mountains" Novel Retreat (www.lifeway.com/novelretreat) held annually in October at Ridgecrest, co-director along with Ann Tatlock of the Honored Authors of the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival and mentor with the Christian Writers Guild. Her recent releases are a series of tree historical Hawaii novels, Aloha Love, Picture Bride, and Love from Ashes. These will be in an April 2011 collection called Aloha Brides. She mentors students in the Apprentice, Journeyman, and Concentrated Fiction Courses for the Christian Writers Guild.
She earned a Master's Degree in English from Western Carolina University and has taught English and Creative Writing.
Jen Maihack
After graduating with a BFA in photography from the Columbus College of Art and Design, Jen Maihack relocated to Tampa, FL where she found herself specializing in weddings, events, and portraits. With over ten years of experience Jen brings her unique creative eye to capturing the moments that tell a story. Jen also specializes in live band photography, fine art and editorial.
Mike Maihack is a graduate from the Columbus College of Art and Design and spends his time drawing pictures of pixies, superheroes, space girls and just about anything else he can think of that might involve a giant pink heart or serving tea. He is the editor and art director of the Christian comic anthology, Parable, creator of the weekly all-ages webcomic, Cow & Buffalo, and member of both the bi-weekly art challenge group, DrawerGeeks, and all-ages webcomic alliance, Lunchbox Funnies. His work can also be found in the Eisner and Harvey award winning anthology, Comic Book Tattoo, published by Image comics. Currently Mike is hard at work bringing his sci-fi epic, Cleopatra in Spaaace!!, to life and watching lots of movies with his wife and two Siamese cats down in far too hot and humid Tampa, Fl.
.jpg)
Torry is an award winning actor, comedian and author who originally hails from Alaska. He is a two time Gospel Music Association Grand Prize Winner for both his acting and writing abilities and he writes popular humor columns for On Course and Enrichment, two national periodicals. Martin is also the author of several comedy sketchbooks published by Lillenas Drama Publishers and he additionally writes for a national radio series called "Adventures in Odyssey," where he created the popular character of Wooton Bassett for the program. As a Christian comedian he has performed in hundreds of churches, comedy clubs and festivals throughout the United States. And as an actor, Martin has appeared on commercials and television programs and has starred on stage in a leading role for the Columbia Artists national tour of the musical comedy "Around the World in Eighty Days," which was written by Marc Cherry, the creator of "Desperate Housewives." Most recently Torry has competed in the 48 Hour Film Project where he was awarded the prize for "Best Actor-Nashville" for the second year in a row. He appears annually as a performer and instructor at several conferences across the U.S. Torry won the Holiday Life Lesson Video Commercial Contest for The Learning Channel (TLC) and the network aired his commercial nationally. He is currently working on several screenplays. Torry's website is www.torrymartin.com
Dave Moody
Few music entertainers from North Carolina have accomplished more than Dave Moody (www.davemoody.com). As the driving force behind The Moody Brothers, Dave has led the family band to national recognition and international acclaim. Along the way, the group earned two Grammy Award Nominations and three International CMA Awards as this trio of brothers took their Carolina based folk, gospel and rocking country music to audiences around the world. The Moodys have performed often at such distinguished venues as the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, TN, the White House in Washington, DC, Wembly Arena in London, England and Disneyland Paris in France, where they performed for over fifty million guests.
But since 2002, Dave's accomplishments as a solo artist, producer, and songwriter have been equally impressive. Winning two GMA Dove Awards (the Christian Music Grammys) in 2005 and 2006, and earning 15 other Dove nominations for his music, Dave has emerged as a major Christian music industry professional. His wins and nominations as artist, producer and songwriter have placed him in good company when you consider some of the past Dove Award winners in the categories he's been recognized, such as Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Andrae Crouch, Alison Kraus, Randy Travis, Chris Tomlin, Ricky Skaggs, Shirley Caeser, George Jones, Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Oak Ridge Boys, David Crowder Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, and others.
Now, Dave has turned some of his attention to directing motion pictures and scoring music for film/television. His first endeavor into movies was to write and score the musical motion picture Stuck In The Past produced by Uplifting Entertainment. In the summer of 2007, he and his son Josh Moody, started Elevating Entertainment, producing and directing their first family Christian motion picture, Praise Band: The Movie, based on a story they had written. The company finished its second film Much Ado About Middle School, featuring Hollywood veteran Bill Cobbs and Golden Globe Nominee Lee Meriwether in the Spring of 2009.
In just a short time, Dave and his son have emerged as award winning filmmakers, capturing the "Best Musical Award" at the Creative Arts Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the music and score of Stuck In The Past. In 2008, Praise Band: The Movie won "Best Music Film" at the International Christian Film Festival in Irvine, CA and was nominated for "Best Premiere Production" at the Sabaoth Film Festival in Milan, Italy.
David Nixon
Originally from Sydney Australia, David Nixon has been producing and directing documentaries in Russia, India and throughout Europe for the past 25 years.
David Nixon's success is due to his ability to create classic, elegant images that evoke emotion and induce heartfelt response. From high above the earth to deep underwater, from directing children and animals to motion capture on green screen, David's expertise with all facets of production provides a big picture perspective that enables him to create the absolute best, from start to finish.
Five years ago, Nixon was called on by Sherwood Baptist Church to help produce the wildly successful movie Facing the Giants. By bringing together a small group of Christian technicians with the volunteer help of the entire church, Nixon was able to give a $100,000 project a "big screen" look, and ultimately garner over $10 million at the box office and $33 million worldwide.
He was then asked to help produce Sherwood's latest movie Fireproof, the number one independent movie of 2008, that went on to save thousands of marriages around the world and garner $33 million at the box office.
Constantly called on to handle the "unusual project," David Nixon continues to impress through the use of innovative production techniques and always looking for that different angle. David Nixon latest movie, Letters to God, is the first of three films being produced by his new company, Possibility Pictures.
Ken Raney's illustrations have appeared in Highlights for Children, National Geographic Traveler, Campus Life, Christianity Today, Virtue Magazine, and Step-By-Step Graphics. His first children's picture book, Stick Hors, was published by Medlicott Press. It's Probably Good Dinosaurs are Extinct followed from Simon & Schuster, and has been translated into Japanese, and republished in a textbook from Harcourt Brace. Raney studied art at Kansas State University and his unique technique of producing "digital fine art" has won numerous awards. He currently serves as producer of The Voice of the Martyrs new graphic novel line, and his own graphic novel, The Forever Quest, appears online at www.theforeverquest.com.
Raney and his wife Deborah, a novelist, have four children and make their home in Kansas.
Brian K. Roberts is mostly a Director at Big Idea Inc., makers of VeggieTales. He has also been known to serve as an actor, writer and producer when necessary. Brian has directed numerous episodes of VeggieTales including "Saint Nicholas, A Story of Joyful Giving." "The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's," and the upcoming "It's a Meaningful Life." After deciding in high school to become an animator and deciding while still in college, he would someday work for VeggieTales (Virginia Commonwealth University, BFA in Communication Arts, '97) he joined the staff of Big Idea in 2000. He lives in Franklin, TN with his gorgeous wife, Katherine and their three brilliant, adorable preschoolers.
Kenny Saylors, Co-Owner of Saylors Brothers Entertainment, has produced
and/or directed numerous hit music videos, animation, motion pictures,
television and documentary projects. His projects have been award-winning,
critically acclaimed and highlighted in such outlets as Time Magazine,
Newsweek, Forbes, NY Times, LA Times, among many others.
During the course of his 15 year professional career his credits include
projects shot and/or developed for television networks such as NBC, FOX,
MTV, BET, CSN, TBN, JCTV, FamilyNet among others. His music videos have
become hits on MTV and BET and even been featured on specials such as "MTV's Most Expensive Videos of the Year", which highlighted the music video
"Souljas" with Master P and Snoop Dogg. Their music videos have also
yielded Award Nominations (including a Dove Award Nomination) and allowed
them to work with a variety of top selling artists in multiple genres.
Kenny Co-produced the Award-winning Documentary Film "Kimjongilia", which
made it's World premier at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the coveted "Grand Jury Prize". It has since played in more than 30 countries around the world and recently won "Best Film of 2010" at the
Brussels One World Film Festival, as well as achieving success with a
limited theatrical release in the US and soon opening in theaters in Europe
and Asia. Other critically acclaimed films from the Saylors Brothers
include "Hollywood on Fire," "Facing the Fat," "An Animated Life," "Waiting
to Rise," "Breed of Champions" and more.
Currently Kenny and his brother, Kyle, are producing a new animated
television series to with legendary producer Phil Roman (26-time Emmy Award
Nominated, 9-time Emmy winning Producer of "The Simpsons," "King of the
Hill," "Garfield and Friends" and numerous more), which will begin airing in
2011. Also, the Saylors Brothers are in the midst of developing several
other new television series that begin production this year, as well as a
new feature film.
With years of accomplishment behind them and having filmed projects around
the entire world, it is rare to see Kenny and Kyle with any down time in
their busy schedule, they're always moving forward to what is around the
corner.
Kyle Saylors (Film School Director)
Kyle Saylors is co-founder of Saylors Brothers Entertainment. He has independently produced or directed animation, features, documentaries, and television projects. Kyle started early promoting concerts like Galveston Island Spring Break Concert Series, he went on to produce content or freelance for NBC Sports, FOX, PAX, MTV, BET, Super Bowl Pre-Game Special, and more. He produced or directed music videos with Sony, Epic Records, Master P, Grammy winners, and others. His projects have also been featured on "MTV's Most Expensive Music Videos", Forbes, Time Magazine, and Newsweek. Current projects include, "Facing the Fat", (documentay following worlds longest food fast), "Hollywood on Fire" (Jane Russell and Eric Close) and "Inspired Ambition" (prime-time syndicated reality series airing on FamilyNet). Kyle co-produced Kimjongilia, a documentary about North Korean defectors, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Vonda Skelton (Intern Co-Director)
Vonda Skelton is a playwright, speaker, and author of four books, including the three-book Bitsy Burroughs Mystery Series (for kids) and Seeing Through the Lies (non-fiction for women). She is also a retired RN. As a freelance writer, her articles have appeared in Focus on the Family publications, HomeLife, Christian Single, ParentLife, New Man Magazine, Family Doctor Magazine, The Charlotte World newspaper, www.keepkidshealthy.com and many others. Vonda has been on the faculty of several national writers' conferences, including the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, North Texas Christian Writers Conference, and Glorieta. She is a graduate of CLASServices and a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Vonda has taught her Writing is Fun! workshop to over 15,000 students in public, private and Christian schools. As an actress, drama director, and writer of church plays and sketches, Vonda understands the joys and struggles of creative ministry from both sides of the script. Along with Sarah Anne Sumpolec, Vonda is co-directing the Gideon Intern Program. You can visit her website at www.VondaSkelton.com.
Sarah Anne Sumpolec (Intern Co-Director)
Sarah Anne Sumpolec began her career in the theatre by play Alice in Alice in Wonderland and has been hooked on the arts ever since. She was active in both her school and community theater and had the privilege of working with a retired Broadway director and attending North Carolina School of the Arts. Alas, she never made it to Broadway herself.
She went on to major in psychology and theater in college (so she could get a real job) but after college she began writing novels for teens. She is the author of the Becoming Beka series, a five book YA series with Moody Publishers. She is also an alumnus of the month long screenwriting program, Act One: Writing for Hollywood. She enjoys teaching about screenwriting and writing for teens at writer's conferences across the country.
Along with her novel writing, Sarah now also works in development for In Jesus' Name Productions, a Christian Motion Picture Studio. Their mission is to make movies on par with Hollywood. This means a focus on a high production quality while choosing movies that will honor God and impact people spiritually. The Flood, an epic summer blockbuster, is in development now, along with several other film projects.
Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters and menagerie of animals. For more about Sarah, visit www.sarahannesumpolec.com
Ann Tatlock (Honored Author Co-Director)
.jpg)
The author of seven novels, Ann Tatlock (www.anntatlock.com) has been described as "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths" (Publishers Weekly) and "a superb storyteller" (Armchair Interviews.com). Her books have received numerous awards, including the Christy Award, the Silver Angel Award from Excellence in Media, and the Midwest Book Award for General Fiction. Ann is listed in Who's Who of American Woman 2007 and Who's Who in America 2008 and 2009. She has a master's degree in communications from Wheaton College and spent five years as an editor with Decision magazine (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) before leaving to pursue fiction writing full-time. She serves as co-director of the Honored Author program of the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival, and is also on the faculty of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She and her family make their home in Asheville, North Carolina.
Gary Voelker is an award-winning filmmaker who has held many titles in his career, including Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor, Motion Graphics Designer, Visual Effects Designer, and Film School Instructor. Since starting his own production company in 2005, Gary has produced two documentaries and dozens of commercials and videos. His first film, DIALTONE (Director of Photography and Editor) is currently in international distribution and is being translated into other languages to reach a wider audience. His second film, THE MAN (Writer, Director of Photography, and Editor) recently won an award at the Puerto Rico International Christian Film Festival. His third film, THE PERFECT CUP (Director of Photography and Visual Effects) is currently in post-production. His fourth film is premiering at the Gideon Film Festival this year. In addition, Gary has taught filmmaking courses in Washington for the past 5 years. His classes cover the entire filmmaking process from pre-production through post-production and distribution. Gary has recently joined forces with director Brian Lohr and producer Daniel Bittner to form Tripleshot Media (Voelker, Bittner and Lohr were the creative team behind DIALTONE, THE MAN, and THE PERFECT CUP). Gary's upcoming projects include a series of 5-minute short films and participation in the Seattle and Nashville 48-Hour Film Festivals.
As Executive Editor of ChristianCinema.com, Angela writes and edits articles and movie reviews, interviews filmmakers, and searches for new films to add to the ChristianCinema.com catalog. A primary focus is interviewing today's filmmakers to get to know the person behind the camera and gain an inside look at the process of making movies.
Angela also writes the ChristianMovieNews blog, an ongoing dialogue about faith and film.
Before joining ChristianCinema.com, Angela worked for an airline, traveled the world as a missionary, and served on the staff of a local Rescue Mission. During her time as a missionary and at the Rescue Mission she worked with Christians of all denominations - Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox - which prepared her to understand (as much as is possible) the Christian culture.
A native Texan currently residing in California, Angela lives in the San Joaquin Valley.
Bio Coming!
Gary Wheeler is a multi-award winning international filmmaker who has produced a number of motion picture and television productions around the world. He is the founder and President of the North Carolina based Level Path Productions. His distribution partners include 20th Century Fox, North by Northwest Entertainment, Outreach.com, PBS, SABC South Africa, Heartland Film Festival and Porchlight Entertainment among others.
Mr. Wheeler's films include The Trial, a soon to be released feature film based on the Christy Award-winning novel by Robert Whitlow starring Matthew Modine, Bob Gunton and Academy Award Nominee Robert Forster; The List, a multi-award winning theatrical release starring Malcolm McDowell and Will Patton which Mr. Wheeler served as Writer, Director, Producer and was distributed by 20th Century Fox; Final Solution a critically acclaimed feature film shot in South Africa starring Tony Award winner John Kani which was broadcast nationally on PBS in the United States and Midnight Clear an award-winning Christmas Special starring Stephen Baldwin and K Callan.
In addition, Mr. Wheeler sits on several boards of directors and has guest lectured at multiple universities and film festivals.
Callan White is presently the head of the Theatre Arts Program and Director
for the Professional Theatre Series at Montreat College. She has had
twenty-five plus years experience in theatre, television, and film. Ms.
White starred on ABC's LOVING for 6 years as Ann Alden and was known to
television audiences in the United States, Europe, Australia, and South
Africa.
Among her guest starring roles are: Star Trek, Crossing Jordan, Strong
Medicine, The Practice, JAG, Murphy Brown, LA Law, and the Profiler. Film
credits include roles in Time Traveler, Rockford Files, Donor Unknown, Wild
Card, and The Tempest. Callan has been a long-standing member of the ACTORS CO-OP,an Award Winning Christian Acting Company in Los Angeles where she has served in leadership positions, performed, and directed. She received a Dramalogue Award for her performance in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and was nominated for an LA Weekly Award for Best Performance as The Bakers Wife in INTO THE WOODS. She has played leading roles at Berkeley Rep, A.C.T., Cal Rep, The Pennsylvania and New Jersey Shakespeare Festivals, The Longwharf Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. Callan was also in the premier performances of the Apollo Theatre in Chicago, and The Harlequin Theatre in Atlanta. She has had the honor in working with many notables over the years: Larry Shue, Bobby Lewis, Len Cariou, George Grizzard,
Richard Kiley, Irene Worth, James Garner, Glynis Johns, John Ireland, and
Tammy Grimes among them.
Callan is a voting member in the National Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences. She has also served as a voting judge for the Screen Actors Guild
Awards and the Los Angeles Ovation Awards.
Jacob Walker
Bio Coming!
Brian White
We are also sad to announce that Brian White will not be able to join us this year due to an overseas commitment that has been moved up to the first of June. We pray that Brian's project will bless the lost in Ethiopia.
Josiah Williams (Marketing Director)
Josiah Williams is a promotional consultant for Notation Printing and Marketing Group, a creative advertising firm that helps businesses and individuals leverage their marketing. With a background in graphic design, Josiah's effective communication expertise plays a key role in developing creative solutions that get results and build successful brands.
Gideon Director Lori Marett and Script Guru Linda Seger