In the world of film, people crave family and faith-based projects—proven by the mega-hit The Bible, a television miniseries produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. The weekly broadcast ran between March 3 and March 31, 2013 on the History channel, delivering blockbuster ratings for the network. In total (with subsequent airings) The Bible has been seen by more than 95 million viewers.
This astoundingly popular show proves to Hollywood and the world that there is a strong market for faith (versus filth). Interestingly, Texas is home to a handful of Christian filmmakers, each with their own productions. If you love movies and want a large selection in your home, check out the following. You may be familiar with some of the movie titles, and if not, try these faith-based films produced by fellow Christians and suitable for family viewing. Most are geared toward younger audiences—perfect for a summer when school is out and kids need entertainment.
Creation 6 (creation6.com)
This studio has produced Sarah’s Hope, a film that provides an alternative for teens. In a world that is big on “science” and short on “truth,” teens today need a solid foundation of belief that offers real hope…not just for this life but for eternity. Sarah’s Hope is a heartwarming film about the struggles, faith and redemption of a 16-year-old girl named Sarah, who lost her sister Lauren a year ago in a car accident. Rated PG, this 27-minute film presents lasting truths that truly provide hope for hurting hearts.
Echo Light Studios (echolight.com)
Producing and distributing high-quality faith and family-friendly entertainment is the specialty of this studio. They have a robust portfolio of films, including the following Christian film choices: 1 Message, 25 Hill, 3 Day Test, Another Perfect Stranger, A Wobots Christmas, Beyond the Heavens, Clancy, Foolishness, I am Gabriel, The Redemption of Henry Myers, Seasons of Gray, The Perfect Gift, The Perfect Stranger, The Potential Inside, The Stranger (TV Series), Undaunted, Welcome to Paradise.
Heu Moore Films (heumoore.com)
Hue Moore Films has produced some lighthearted family films, including The Widow’s Might in which an elderly Widow faces losing her home to the outrageous property taxes in her area. The Moore family takes action along with their friends, the Morton family. Through political smears, on set mishaps, and a wild western ride, these families band together in a classic black hat/white hat tale of heroism!
Siblings: Heartstrings is nearly an hour long and not just a fun adventure for the kids; it’s also a touching tale of a father and son. Heartstrings will move you to tears with a multigenerational treasure being passed on.
A Lifetime of Childlike Faith is a documentary about a humble man, Leonard Knight, whose work has captured the interest of such greats as National Geographic, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the Discovery Channel. It tells the true story of the simple man behind Salvation Mountain, and how his faith has driven him to do the seemingly impossible without even the benefit of electricity or running water. The DVD release of the film contains the 35-minute documentary and a short video tour of Salvation Mountain by Leonard Knight.
Siblings: Bubble Trouble features seven-year-old Gator Moore, who is unable to beat his brothers at chess and concludes that if he knew what his opponents were thinking, he could defeat them. He dreams up a contraption to help him read thoughts, but in the end he realizes that such tasks are best left up to God. This film was created for the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. It runs 36 minutes on DVD.
Siblings: What a Blast is based on the amazing things can be wrought in two hours, especially when your siblings are involved! This 17-minute film depicts one of the not so rare misadventures that can occur when the parents aren’t home!
Western Harvest Media (westernharvestmedia.com)
Preserving American history by producing character-based entertainment is the mission of the following films:
Cowboys and Jesus is a modern day telling of the story of the prodigal son. It centers around two brothers, Nick (World Champion Bull Rider Scott Mendes), and Mark, (Scott McClard), and a competition for their father’s love. Rodeo and high school football is the backdrop for this action packed drama that the whole family can see.
The Adventures of Quickdraw Pete features a part-time deputy and full time good guy in the town of Apple Junction. Rated “F” for FUN, each episode includes Christian morals, humor, and good manners.
Onion Creek is set in the late 1800’s she the West was an open territory. Towns sprang up, ranching flourished, homesteading boomed, yet the West was still a wild country. It took a special breed of men and women to tame it. A battle between good and evil has Texas Jack Nolan, Tater Owens, and Tater’s friend, Indian Joe, tracking the meanest gunmen of the West.
Supporting the Good Guys!
Supporting Christian films not only bolsters faith, but helps independent film makers continue to produce family entertainment that edifies and enhances the values of young viewers. We hope that by providing some examples of Christian movies to our readers, you’ll enjoy them with your families!
