UVO Films 2023 Elevates Faith-Based Filmmaking in East Venezuela
20 September 2023 |
The East Venezuela Union Mission celebrated its annual film festival, UVO Films 2023, for the second year in a row on August 26 at the Casa del Artista in Caracas, according to a recent article in the Adventist Review. The event, attended by over 400 people, showcased 17 films from 14 different production teams and is recognized for its large scope, being the only one of its kind across the Inter-American Division (IAD).
This year’s festival explored the theme “Fundamental Beliefs in the Bible,” featuring a variety of short films under the drama, videoclip, and documentary categories. Abel Márquez, Executive Producer for Hope Channel Inter-America and IAD communication director, applauded the organizers and church leaders for hosting the innovative festival and emphasized the significant role of such audiovisual productions in modern evangelism, alongside traditional methods.
In a special session held the day before the festival, Márquez encouraged media producers to harness their passion for spreading the gospel through contemporary, effective mediums, noting the church’s substantial investment in producing art, television, films, and radio to affirm faith. Esteemed film experts such as Luis Carlos Hueck, Edgar Rocca, and Rubén Serrano commended the organizers and participants, praising the festival’s evolution and contribution to the audiovisual arts and expressing their continuous support for the event.
Among the submissions, “Seconds” from VM Ministries, won best drama; “Everything Belongs to Him,” by the Redención musical group, bagged the best videoclip award; and “Returning to God,” by the South Venezuela Mission, was honored as the best documentary.
UVO Films 2023 played a pivotal role as a platform for ideation and experimentation in sharing spiritual messages and is a pioneer of its kind throughout Inter-America, paving the way for the next generation of faith-inspired filmmakers.
