New Independent Film Initiative Presented Over 35 Films From Filmmakers Around the World And Recognizes the Top 6

WACO, Texas - Feb. 11, 2022 - PRLog -- The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival hosted its 3^rd annual event in the Central Texas town during the weekend of February 3-5, 2022. With its mission of being "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all," the film festival illuminated every aspect of its mission with an all-encompassing event that featured an international competition of over 35 films that were screened primarily at the Cinemark-Waco Movie Theater, a 2^nd annual celebrity golf classic and tennis mixer, a first-ever style and fashion show, and online professional education workshops, throughout the town of Waco.

"With the Texas snowstorm as our backdrop, this year, we are ecstatic with the tremendous support we have received from the Waco community and our filmmakers who weathered the storm to participate in the film festival," states Dr. Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Founder of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. "Every year, we continue to grow, and we definitely achieved our goal to bring the Waco community together and leverage the power of storytelling in film to open hearts and minds."

During the Closing Night Party at Pivovar Restaurant on Saturday, February 5, 2022, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival announced its third annual cinematic award winners, which included-

Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (USA/International)
"Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholics" / Directed by David Naglieri and Tim Moriarty (USA)

Grand Jury Prize for Best Animation Film (USA)
"Pirate Lesson" / Directed by Sofia Azpe

Grand Jury Prize for Best Animation Film (International)
"Cages"  / Directed by Leos Matejcek

Grand Jury Prize for Best Student Film (USA)
"Father of Man" / Directed by Barrett Burgin

Grand Jury Prize for Best Student Film (International)
"A Narration of a Funeral" / Directed by Amir Sedghinir

Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film (USA and International)
"Gramps Moving On" (USA) / Directed by Tanya Huston

The 2022 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival also honored its third 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, TV, performing arts, media, and entertainment industry. The 2022 "Champions Awards" recipients were- Ann Harder, Deborah Koegnisberger, Vivian Scott-Chew and Ray Chew, and John Schneider.

The sponsors for the 2022 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival included the festival's Founding Partner, TFNB Bank Your Bank for Life. The 2^nd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic sponsor was Greg May Honda. The H.O.T. Tennis Mixer sponsor was the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Gold Star Sponsor was Creative Waco and the Silver Star Sponsor was Z's at the Curry. The Bronze Star Sponsors were Extraco Banks, Brazos Masonry, HEB, Marie's, and Vision Vehicle Studios. The Community Partners were Tru Jamaica and the Waco Central (TX) Chapter of The Links, Inc. The Media Partners were KWTX-TV Ch10, CW12, and Telemundo.

The 2023 dates for the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival will be February 2-4, 2023. For more information on the festival, visit WacoFilmFest.org.

ABOUT THE WACO FAMILY & FAITH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Presented by the GB Lindsey Family Charitable Fund, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that honors the memory of Gloria J. Lindsey. Mrs. Lindsey was an elementary school educator for over 40 years. In her honor, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival passionately supports educational and artistic programs for children and young adults.

The mission for the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is that it is "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all!" Ultimately, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival works to be able to make a global impact and change the face of storytelling and the storytellers in the film and entertainment industry. It is also the work of this festival to bring people together from all walks of life and serve them with narratives, community performances, educational workshops, and more, that open hearts and minds as well as feeds the soul.

For more information on the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, visit www.WacoFilmFest.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.