WACO, Texas - Marylandian -- The GB Lindsey Family Charitable Fund announces today the launch of its inaugural Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, which will be held in the Central Texas town on February 6-8, 2020. This first-ever event is "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all!" The two day film festival will feature an international film competition, Hollywood studio movie releases, professional education workshops, and community gatherings throughout the town of Waco, all in the support of honoring the universal themes of family and faith.

"Storytelling and imagery through movies truly matter in our society, especially when it comes to positively changing the perspectives (and behaviors) of how we all view each other as fellow human beings on this planet," states Dr. Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Founder and Lead Producer of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. "This inaugural film festival is our team's attempt to leverage the power of storytelling to open hearts and minds, while bringing the Waco community together and ultimately, doing our part to positively impact the film industry by presenting more diverse voices."

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 will work to contribute to this genre by showcasing the voices of cinematic storytellers from around the globe. At the close of the submissions phase in September, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival received 1,688 film entries from 109 countries and across five continents. Russia, Italy, Denmark, India, New Zealand, Senegal, Korea, Thailand, Puerto Rico, United Arab Emirates, and the Congo are a sampling of the countries who have participating filmmakers.

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"The initial response to this film festival has been overwhelming," states Lindsey-Warren. "We have truly been impressed with the high quality films that have been submitted, both short and feature length, under the themes of family, faith, freedom, military, veterans and DIY."

The 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival will also commence the start of its inaugural class of "Champions Award" recipients. This honor is dedicated to recognizing individuals and organizations who are exemplars of innovation as well as disruption in the film and entertainment industry. The 2020 "Champions Awards" recipients will be Kevin and Sam Sorbo. Known for his role as "Hercules" in the acclaimed television show, Hercules, the Legendary Journeys, Kevin Sorbo has since starred in numerous films and TV shows including- Two and a Half Men, Psych, Hawaii 5-0, Kull, the Conqueror, Avenging Angel, and Meet the Spartan, to name a few. His well-known faith-based movie, God's Not Dead, earned over $75 million at the U.S. Box Office. Mr. Sorbo is also a highly sought after film director. Sam Sorbo, Kevin's wife, is an award-winning actress, having appeared in such films and TV shows as Bonfire of the Vanities, Twenty Bucks, and Chicago Hope. She is also an accomplished film producer, radio host, author, and international model. Mrs. Sorbo has co-written, produced and co-starred in the feature film, Let There Be Light. She has currently produced the feature film, Miracle in East Texas, which is directed by Mr. Sorbo, and due out in 2020. Miracle in East Texas will also appear as the Opening Night feature film at the 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival.

The 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is being supported by a Host Committee that is representative of the Waco community. The 2020 Host Committee members are-

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Rosemarie Tatum, Chair of the Host Committee, Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival
Dr. Allison Alford, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University
Andrea Barefield, Councilmember, City of Waco
Keshia Bridges Miller, Owner, Prosperity Tax Services
Prof. Robert Darden, Pruit Memorial Symposium, Baylor University
Alex Eichenberg, Executive Vice President, Extraco Bank
Matthew Faraci, President, Inspire Buzz
Regina Green, Special Events Consultant
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Hunter, Senior Pastor, Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
John Kinnard, Councilmember, City of Waco
Jason Lavendar, Senior Vice President, TFNB
Suzanna May, Owner, Z's at the Curry
Prof. Connie Nichols, Baylor Law School & President, Delta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Jim Patton, Retired Administrator, Waco ISD
Emily Snyder, Chief of Staff, Magnolia
Alfred Solano, President, Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber

The sponsors for the 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival include the festival's Founding Partner, TFNB Bank Your Bank for Life. The Media Partner is M&M Broadcasters, LTD. The Awards Sponsor is the Magnolia Foundation. The festival's Community Sponsors are Pruit Memorial Symposium at Baylor University, Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society, Delta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tru Jamaica, and Z's at the Curry.

The full festival schedule will be announced in December. For additional information on how to get involved with the 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival as a sponsor or more, email Sidney.Warren@laicommunications.com or call 254.400.8181. For Media inquiries, please contact Maliz Mahop at Maliz.Mahop@laicommunications.com or McKenna Langley at McKenna_Langley@baylor.edu.