Kingdomwood Women In Films Picnic Series Returns With Author Debra Winans

Kingdomwood Women In Films is kicking off the summer and the festival season by returning with their KWIF Celebrity Picnic Series. The first picnic back, will take place at 11 am ET Saturday June 4, 2022 in Smyrna, Georgia. 

Dr. Debra Winans, a well known Media CEO and Celebrated Author will be a Special Guest at the picnic, in addition to more from the Atlanta Film and Entertainment Industry. Other guests will include Audrey Littleton, the Founder of KWIF, Filmmaker and Acting Coach Ashley Johnson, along with key members of KWIF.

Kingdomwood Women In Films, a worldwide network, based in Georgia is an organization partnered with Kingdomwood Film Festival, a festival that promotes family-friendly teachings and values following the Gospel. 

The Festival is hosted in October every year and has welcomed several famed, Award-winning and notable celebrities. 

The Celebrity Picnic Basket series takes place each month to cultivate growth, community, and assistance among women in the Film and Media Industry.

Each attendee of the picnic is encouraged to prepare a unique picnic basket that suits them and their taste as they participate. The compilation and individuality of the baskets warrant special prizes from the KWIF Community.

For more information on attending Kingdomwood Women In Films Celebrity Picnic Basket series and to learn more about how to join visit: https://kingdomwood.com/kwif-2/

Registration, in addition to submissions for Kingdomwood Film Festival are currently open. Visit their official website Kingdomwood.com for more details.

Kingdomwood International Film Festival Brings in Faith-based Filmmakers, Fans and Celebrities To Atlanta, Ga.

The official Kingdomwood International Film Festival held in Atlanta Georgia from October 4-7 2018 brought out faith-based filmmakers and enthusiasts from all around the world. The Festival celebrated it’s 10 Year Anniversary with confirmation from Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and welcomed attendees with an exquisite celebration gala. #KIFF18, as the event was dubbed on social media, presented an empowering celebration of family-friendly creativity.

Held at the J.W. Marriott Buckhead, The festival included an exciting line-up. Activities included Film Screenings Independent and Studio Produced, a screenwriters’ LIVE presentation with ASPiRE and UPtv affiliate Tracey Tooks, Workshops/Panels with Executives, Celebrities, and Red Carpet events.  

Kingdomwood welcomed Steve Fedyski, President of Pure Flix Entertainment as a Keynote-Speaker during it’s Friday events. Actor/Director Corbin Bernsen of NCIS and Law and Order fame screened his film “Life With Dog”  and enlightened attendees with an exclusive Masterclass Q&A session.

A VIP Red Carpet screening of the film “Indivisible” premiered at the festival prior to it’s national release date. The film based on the extraordinary true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner, includes Sarah Drew, Tia Mowry, Eric Close, and Michael O’Neill as a part of it’s all-star cast. The film will be released in theatres October 26, 2018.

The 2008 Film “Fireproof” produced by the Kendrick Brothers simultaneously celebrated the 10th Anniversary of it’s release. Kingdomwood hosted a special commemorative panel which included leading cast members Stephan Dervan and Erin Bethea, Founder of Argentum Entertainment Productions.

The special guest appearances and workshops continued with Actress Jen Harper and Actor L. Warren Young from the cast of Oprah Winfrey Network’s Show (Greenleaf), Famed Casting Director Nise Davies, Composer Karl Brunig, Story Creator M. Jayson Graham¸ Act Out Loud Acting Troupe, and a Producing Workshop by Producer Eugene Bush, who helped manage the festival’s Audio and Visual production.

Georgia Film Academy, Georgia Production Partnership and The Georgia Department of Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment participated in and helped sponsor the festival.

Kingdomwood Founder’s Audrey T. Thomas and Joe W. Williams presented statues to the winning films chosen at the Filmmakers/Screenwriters Award Show given during the the festival’s closing day.

The Film and Screenplay Winners can be viewed on the official festival website: www.kingdomwood.com along with other information. Kingdomwood’s founders extended a special thanks to all the filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, actresses, volunteers and amazing attendees that participated. In closing remarks the organization says it will continue it’s aim to “Reach”, ‘Teach” and “Inspire” through film.

Catalysts, Vessels, and Change Agents

I attended a "Christian Women In Media" networking event yesterday to spread the word about the Kingdomwood International Film Festival that I'm helping to produce. At the event I was sitting next to the moderator, so it was funny to see that during the "introduce yourself and what you do" period, the majority of the women who were there went on tangents about what divine coincidence it was that brought them to the meeting or gave testimonies about the why they were passionate to do what they do. 

I laughed as the moderator tried to get them to be quick about their turn to introduce themselves, but after a while as the introductions continued in the same format of a longer "why" instead of a quick "what" and "who", I was inspired by it.

It was touching to see that the default mode for a room full of women who were believers was to explain the "why" behind what they did. I think knowing and understanding the "why" is the key to doing what we do with excellence and staying motivated to do it. 

When it was my turn to go, although I said who I was and what I did very quickly, because of the moderator: what I would have loved to have said was: "I'm grateful because I believe that I'm a catalyst for GOD's voice, and a change agent and an agent & vessel of God's voice. So this is why I want to be involved with Kingdomwood, this is why I want to be involved with media and sharing my voice." 

I think that would've been great for a "Christian Women In Media" event, but we're all catalysts of GOD's voice. I listened to the "Jesus and Jolloff" podcast for the first time and heard Yvonne Orji say her blessings are "not because she's so special, but because she's available." It's essential to make ourselves available to the will of GOD. 

We are catalysts, we are agents, We are vessels of GOD and that's what this film festival brings about to me. It's why I believe in what I'm doing. It's why I'm happy about what I'm doing. Iyanla Vanzant shared a tweet that said: 

"The key to success is not what you do, it is how you feel about what you are doing."

Yes!! https://t.co/UxzZycWr6h

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) September 21, 2018

It's up to us to Boldly be a vessel for what GOD is doing in the earth. Orji also says in the podcast" Somebody is waiting for your supply, that they didn't even know they needed." 

"We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." - Marianne Williamson

It's up to us to know who we are and be consistent in how we present who we are to the world, but also to definitely know our why? Do you know your why?