OREM — Last year more than 7,000 people attended the 2009 LDS Film Festival, and this year organizer Christian Vuissa expects even greater numbers.
"We're having fun," Vuissa said, "We look forward to a very promising future for LDS filmmakers and the LDS Film Festival."
This year's event includes 13 new LDS films, a showcasing of Richard Dutcher's movie "God's Army," a 24-hour filmmaker marathon, and a number of workshops and forums featuring local filmmakers.
Films shown at the festival will include a new John Lyde film "You're so Cupid," the musical "Berlin," "The Book of Jer3miah," BYU's "Fire Creek," "Melted Hearts El Otro Lado del Corazon," "Broken Hill," "Big Dreams Little Tokyo," "Humble Pie," "Another Testament — Reflections of Christ," "Mormon Messages," "White on Rice," "The Yankles" and documentaries: "Sundance Skippy," "Sacred Walls," "Exploring the Connection between Mormons and Masons," "I am from Nowhere: The People History Ignored," "Rei Harmon: Man of Nature," "Born to Ride: Cody Wright and the Quest for a World Title," "Return to Hollywood," "Latter-day Stranger," "Supersonic Saints: Thrilling Stories from LDS Pilots," "The Mormons," "Janice Kapp Perry: A Life of Service and Song," "Jimmie Jones: Red Rock Painter," "Trouble in Zion," "The Measure of a Man," and "Treasure in Heaven."
Shorts include "Baptism of Fire," "Black and White World," "Coffin Maker" and "Inspector 42."
"Forever Strong" emerged as a strong LDS and mass audience film in 2007 along with "Errand of Angels."
"One Good Man" (introduced originally as "Father in Israel"), "One Man's Treasure" and "Once Upon a Summer" came out of last year's offering.
"We want to thank all the filmmakers, volunteers, sponsors and festival attendees for their support of the festival. The LDS Film Festival exists because so many in the community are willing to share their talent and appreciate each other's efforts," said Vuissa. "What began in 2001 as a small short film festival has grown into a major event."
If you go
What: LDS Film Festival
When: Jan. 20-23
Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem
Admission: Tickets for all events are available at 801-225-ARTS, online at scera.org or at the door.