New Independent Film Initiative Returns February 1-4, 2023, and Announces New Slate of Films and Events

WACO, Texas - Dec. 9, 2022 - PRLog -- The GB Lindsey Family Charitable Fund announces today the launch of its 4^th Annual Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival and its 2023 film slate. The film festival will take place in the Central Texas town on February 1-4, 2023 at the Hippodrome Theatre, the Regal Cinemas-Hollywood Theaters, and more venues throughout the city. The film festival leverages the power of storytelling to inspire its community and is "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all!" The Official Selection films announced today on FilmFreeway.com for the 4^th Annual 2023 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival are a combination of feature length, short films, student films, and animation films. In 2020, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival received 1,688 film entries from 109 countries and across five continents. In 2023, the film festival will present over 30 films from such countries as Italy, France, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and China, to name a few.

"The film festival team and I are so grateful to have the opportunity to present this event in Waco for a fourth year! Storytelling and imagery in movies truly matter in our society," states Dr. Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Founder and Lead Producer of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. "Now more than ever, we need the power of storytelling to open hearts and minds, especially when it comes to positively changing how we all see each other as fellow human beings on this planet."

According to Variety.com, there are 200 million consumers within the family and faith-based community in the U.S. This consumer market is valued at $2.1 trillion. Moreover, since the beginning of this genre, faith-based movies have amassed over $2 billion dollars. The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival continues to contribute to this genre by showcasing the voices of cinematic storytellers from around the globe as well as positively impacting the economic development in the City of Waco and the Central Texas region.

"It is important for film festivals to make a positive economic impact in the communities they serve. We thought we would see the impact of our film festival in year 5 or so. However, it is truly amazing to see our impact on the local economy now with our filmmakers moving to Waco and producing their films here and supporting our budding film and TV community," states Lindsey-Warren.

The 2023 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival will also continue honoring individuals and organizations who are exemplars of innovation as well as "good" disruption in the film, entertainment industry, media, music, and the performing arts with its "Champions Award."  The 2023 class of "Champions Award" recipients are multiple award-winning animation artist, director, and producer, Bruce W. Smith, who is the creator and executive producer of Disney+'s "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder," the long-anticipated revival of the animated series, "The Proud Family."  The legendary television producer, Ralph Farquhar, who is the executive producer of Disney+'s "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder." Mr. Farquhar began his career writing for the classic ABC series, "Happy Days." Today, he is known for creating and executive producing several award-winning series including "South Central," "Moesha," and "The Parkers," and "Real Husbands of Hollywood." Latin GRAMMY Award winner, OZOMATLI, who is known for incorporating a wide array of musical styles – including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, and hip hop. OZOMATLI composed the music for the movie, "Happy Feet 2" and recorded "Ozomatli Presents Ozokidz," a family-friendly album. From 2011 to 2014, Ozomatli also served as the house band for stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias' television show, "Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution." Award-winning TV journalists, Ke'Sha Lopez and Pete Sousa, are Co-Anchors for the morning news show on KWTX-TV/Ch.10-CBS in Waco and Central Texas.

The 2023 Class of "Champions Award" recipients will join past honorees who include Actor, Kevin Sorbo, who is best known for his role as "Hercules" in the TV series, "Hercules, the Legendary Journeys;" TV personality, Gina Neely, from "Down Home with the Neely's" on the Food Network; Hollywood Executives, Victor Hawks and Courtney Parker; Amazon Prime's "Reacher" star, Malcolm Goodwin; Music Veteran, Vivian Scott Chew, and "Dancing with the Stars" Musical Director, Ray Chew; and Actor, John Schneider, from "The Dukes of Hazzard" and Tyler Perry's "The Haves and Have Nots." The 2023 "Champions Award" reception will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Art Center Waco in Waco, Texas.

The sponsors for the 2023 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival include the festival's Founding Partner, TFNB Bank Your Bank for Life. The 3^rd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic Sponsor is Greg May Honda. The 2^nd Annual H.O.T. Fashion and Style Show Sponsor is the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Kick-Off Concert Sponsor is Pete & Michelle Groetzinger, and the Awards Sponsor is the Waco Central Texas Chapter of The Links, Inc. The Gold Sponsor is Creative Waco. The Silver Sponsors are Z's at the Curry, Modern Texas Living Magazine, and the City of Woodway. The Bronze Star Sponsors are Extraco Banks, Brazos Masonry, HEB, Regal Cinemas, Marie's, Vision Vehicle Studios, and ISW Holdings. The Community Sponsors are Uncle Nearest, Carolina Blue Cigars, and Tru Jamaica Restaurant. The Media Partners are KWTX-TV, The CW, and Telemundo as well as Prophecy Media Group which includes radio stations LEY 104.1, Latino 93.5, POWER 108FM, Classic Rock 106.7.

For additional information on the 2023 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, the new film slate, and how to get involved as a sponsor, volunteer, and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.wacofilmfest.org.