Caught on YouTube: Job Sings 'The Widow's Might'

A little cowboy rides his horse and sings a song from one of his favorite movies.

Fireproof, Widow's Might, and National Public Radio (NPR)

I received this email in my inbox this morning:

Hi, John -

Paul T. here. I don't know whether you heard the radio story on the emerging Christian film industry that aired today on National Socialist... er, make that National Public Radio. I'm generally not a fan of taxpayer-subsidized radio, but I thought the story was quite good. (I kept waiting for the snide comment or liberal slant, but it never came! Praise the Lord.) There were audio clips from the festival, from you, from Doug Phillips, Fireproof, Kirk Cameron, and others. They included the moment of Doug's announcement of your grand prize award, and you get a little feel of the ROAR that went up from that crowd! I'm sure that is a memory that will live in your heart forever.

Here's the link in case you want to mention it on the blog or play it for the family. The text of the whole story is there on the site, but it's much more fun to click the "Listen" link near to top of the page to hear the whole segment.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100927647

Simply put, what a victory! To have such an encouraging and straightforward article about a Christian movement, that doesn't make us out to be fiends and enemies of civilization. Instead, it speaks of our desire to create films that glorify our Lord. Praise be to God!

From Doug's Blog: A Footnote

From the post, "Let Freedom Ring! Philadelphia Faith & Freedom Tour"

"The most recent edition of Newsweek magazine is entitled “We Are All Socialists Now.” It argues that the debate over free markets and Christian values are over. Darwin has won. Malthus has won. The anti-life vision of the contraceptive planners has won — I disagree! If Christians will be faithful to the Lord, if fathers will turn their hearts to their families, and if parents will be diligent in raising up a generation of Christ-loving, hope-filled, biblically-trained, historically-informed children of vision who will love the Lord with all their heart, we can have more hope for the mercy and grace of God on America than were we to even have fundamental political change. In short, if the remnant legions of Christians will be faithful, we can have great hope for this very special plot of earth which has been uniquely blessed of the Lord."

Read the full post, here.

This was a very inspiring paragraph to me. I also have great hope when many despair, so to have it confirmed by Mr. Phillips was tremendously encouraging.

~ In Christ, John.

Thirteen Traits Of an Amazing Woman in my Life

Reagan Rose Moore's Thirteenth Birthday.

February 04, 2009.

Yesterday was a special day in the Moore home; the celebration of Reagan's 13'th birthday. So, I wrote down 13 things that are very dear to me about my sister, and ways she is an example to other young women in our community.

1. She is a Reader: In a world that is illiterate.

Reagan has an ever growing collection of books. A beautiful collection of books; tales about heroes of the faith, womanhood, the noble family, and a variety of other things. Dad is a book collector, but out of all seven of us Moore children, only Reagan and I are collectors the way he is. (Granted, Gator reads all of our collections sometimes before we do)

Yesterday, she received 'The Little Boy Down the Road' and others, as gifts. Watching her light up over receiving a book, made me wonder how many girls on their thirteenth birthdays receive gifts that are twenty times the purchase price, but not even a fraction of the value of these simple treasures? Reagan understands the value of the printed page, and she delights in it.

2. She's a Light: When the world worships darkness.

From the time my sister was born, our house changed. After five boys in a row, a girl was a special gift from God to my parents; and she has always brought a certain unique light to our home. As she has matured, she has brought that light to the rest of the world through her testimony as a daughter.

3. She is a Rose: Among women of stone.

Reagan is a flower. Delicate, complex, and full of splendid and striking colors. In our statist age of feminism and women hardened and embittered, she holds no bitterness. She remembers no offense. She forgives, and gives selflessly.

4. She brings Joy: To those who are mourning.

Reagan is not just happy; she has a joy that radiates, as only a spiritual joy can. Her joy and peace are contagious, infectious, and irrestistible. No matter how intense our work has been on various projects, Reagan popping into the room with a plate of something scrumptious and her deliciously cheery smile brings the morale of the troops back up to operating standards

5. She is Wise: When the trend is to be silly.

Girls are thought to be silly. But I remember one man in a particular work of fiction saying, 'Men of sense, whatever you may say, do not want silly wives!'. Well, a man of sense will see Reagan as a priceless object to be desired. Her joy is not a giddy joy; it is a joy founded in wisdom.

6. She is Fearless: In a world that is afraid.

We live in turbulent times. My sister not only understands that, but puts her faith in a sovereign God to direct the paths of history, and trusts that all things will work together for good, to those that love God and are called according to his purpose.

7. She is a Friend: To her Mother.

Reagan and Mom have some wonderful conversations; because Reagan isn't a little girl; she's a young woman, and a young woman that Mom enjoys conversing with. It's actually surprising how their conversations move quickly through deep topics.

8. She is a Treasure: To her Father.

Reagan is her Daddy's greatest delight. His most precious earthly treasure. He cares for her and protects her heart more carefully than a greedy man his gold.

9. She is a Secretary: To her Older Brother.

Those who know me realize I am a little scattered. (Understatement of the Year Award goes to...) But Reagan is an able secretary, and helps with everything from shipping packages to tidying up the office, to taking phone calls. She is also a secretary for Mom, which could be a full time occupation in itself...

10. She is a Gourmet Chef: To all of her Brothers!

Reagan (especially recently) has more than proven her proficiency with the tools of domestic peacemaking. The fact is, the family meal determines the mood of the family. What they eat, how they eat, and when they eat it are all important defining factors of how we interact and get along. The meal is a sacred family institution, and Reagan makes sure it is something special and yummy!

11. She is a Calligrapher: In an Age of Instant Messaging.

Dad used to crack the whip to make all of us boys practice our handwriting for thirty minutes a day. And I think in spite of all the hours I put in on this exercise, my handwriting is barely legible. But Dad never had to ask Reagan to learn the arts of penmanship. She is an artist with text, and has some of the most gorgeous handwriting I have ever seen. This has been true since she was only seven, and nobody here will argue the fact that Reagan has the best handwriting in our home.

12. She is Purity: When Many are Defiled.

Reagan has the most blessed sort of purity, purity of heart. She has a heart that is truly sacred and undefiled by the culture of modern American girls.

13. She is a Singer: With a Song on Her Heart.

Her purity of heart is reflected by her pure tone as she sings hymns, psalms, and prayers in the hallways and rooms of our home. Her crystal voice carries magnificently down the halls, serenading the family. Much the same way her meals set a tone, her voice sets a tone for us as we watch.

Thank you Reagan, for everything you do. Every day the way you give to all of us, most times without thanks. You are a marvelous young woman, and I wouldn't trade you for anyone in the world!

~ In Christ, John.

Widow's Might Desktop Backgrounds

Two great new backgrounds from Cameron for The Widow's Might!

Check these out, as well as a ton of other great ways to share the film, on the 'share page' of the website. Thanks!

The Man Who Won...

The Man Who Won the Best of Festival Award...
And his grateful son!

Click here to view photos from the 2009 SAICFF.

2009 SAICFF Jubilee Winners Collection on Sale Through January 28

2009 SAICFF Jubilee Winners Collection on Sale Through January 28

from Doug's Blog

You can tell a lot about the vision of a family by the libraries in the home. And the video library is especially important. Wise Christian parents want wholesome, Christ-exalting films in their DVD libraries. This means fewer, but more carefully selected movies — movies like the carefully selected, award-winning family films from the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

Press Release: $101,000 Award-Winning Film ‘The Widow’s Might’ Receives Acclaim from Veteran Film Producer

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 23 /Christian Newswire/ — “The Widow’s Might,” a western musical feature film has won the $101,000 ‘Best of Festival Award’ at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF). Also vying for the prestigious award were high profile films including “Fireproof” and “Expelled.”

Geoff Botkin, veteran film producer and SAICFF judge, marked “The Widow’s Might” as a milestone in Christian filmmaking. “‘Widow’s Might’ is a groundbreaking film, even though it is a first feature film from a teenaged director. It is one of the most original high-concept features in recent film history. The story is innovative in ways that can inspire the next generation of filmmakers, many of whom are looking for ways to break out of tired cinematic cliches…”

Botkin also added, “This film attempted and achieved a wholesome family message, illustrating the difficult-to-capture functional family environment. Its message addressed a very complex theological issue which is a defining issue of our generation…”

Audiences at the SAICFF seemed to agree with the SAICFF judges. Attendees at the festival overwhelmingly selected “The Widow’s Might” for the Audience Choice Award, giving the movie more than twice as many votes as the nearest contender. Audiences laughed, cried, and cheered as the film unfolded, ultimately giving three standing ovations at the close of the film.

Young filmmakers John Moore (age 19) and David Heustis (age 20) were surprised at the affirmation they received from festival judges and audiences alike. “We never saw this coming!” said John. “The greatest lesson we have learned at this event over the years is to press on; keep moving forward. Always pursue excellence. The production was very tough; but it brought our families together, and we’re even closer now than ever. I dedicate this award to my father, the most inspiring man I have ever known.”

Information about the release of “The Widow’s Might” will be announced at a future date. To interview the director of “The Widow’s Might,” John Moore, contact Jennifer Langen by e-mail at contact@thewidowscry.com or by phone at 972-452-3708. More information about “The Widow’s Might” and HeuMoore Productions can be found at http://www.thewidowscry.com/.

History Has Been Made!

"Every film ever made represents more than the story seen on a two-dimensional screen. Films represent a very three-dimensional experience of dozens of artisans who work together in a specific purpose. Their combined effort reflects strong theological motives and cultural beliefs about life. The Widow’s Might represents a rich cultural understanding of the objectives of the SAICFF. The film was made by a young man who worked and planned under the guidance and counsel of his father, and with a deliberate sensitivity to lessons learned at the CFA. The filmmaker involved not only his entire family in the process, but other entire families who worked together with spiritual goals in mind."
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Read the full story here.

An award-winning effort

An Award-Winning Effort
Movie making duo earns top prize at film festival
By Christina Campbell

"In front of the largest audience in the festival's history, local filmmakers John Moore and David Heustis walked away with the single largest film festival prize of $101,000 for winning the Jubilee Award for their film The Widow's Might at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

“When we knew we would be competing with films like Fireproof, I never thought we would be walking home with best of festival,” Moore said. “To me it was a film I really artistically admired. We are just newbies.”

Moore and Heustis combine together to form HeuMoore Productions, which has produced several short films including Heartstrings, the Audience Choice Award winner at last year’s SAICFF.

In addition to this year’s Jubilee Award, The Widow’s Might was runner-up for Best Feature and ran away with the Audience Choice Award, receiving more than twice the votes of the nearest competitor."

Read the full story from the Kaufman Herald, here.