In 2001 one man had an idea. He invited people to make a film….in 48 hours. Yes: conceive the idea, write the script, recruit the actors, shoot the scenes, edit the film, add the score, and deliver it to a designated spot by the deadline. By 2008 there were 30,000 film-making teams in 70 cities involved in this simple project. It is called, simply, the 48 Hour Film Project.
Last night (Wednesday, July 22, 2009, I drove to Louisville to watch 11 of these films, including one in which my daughter is the primary actor. Ten days ago 44 filmmakers spent 48 hours making films. These films will be entered into local, regional and national competitions with winners receiving cash, equipment, trophies and–for 14 this year–a screening at the international film festival in Cannes, France.
At the Circle 8 Theaters on Dupont Circle last night I was as interested in the crowd as the films: young, aspiring, talented, energetic, sacrificing time and money to pursue a vocation about which they are very passionate.
It all reminds me, of course, of the Academy of Preachers: preaching professionals creating opportunities for young aspiring preachers to showcase their talent, their discipline, their energy, their willingness to invest time and money in pursuit of that to which they have been called by God, namely, gospel preaching.
We started with a preaching camp in June, with 12 young preachers. The following week we had five institutions express interest in hosting such a camp next summer. We are talking with three of them to plan for next year. In January 100 young preachers from as many as 20 states will gather in Louisville, Kentucky to preach: not to listen, or take notes, or read, or study, or even sing, but to preach. We want to showcase these extraordinary young people, but also to connect them with each other and with people who can help them; we want to support and encourage them, and to open doors of opportunity.
You can be a part of this: BE A DONOR, and help underwrite this noble effort; BE A PARTNER, and help us undergird the vocational ambitions of these outstanding young people; BE A PREACHER, and register for the Festival of Young Preachers in January.