September 30 - October 3, 2026 - ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Storytellers Conference Schedule
View the Full Conference Booklet
Pre-Event - September 29
12:00pm – 3:45pm – Registration Open time
4:00pm – 7:00pm – ICVM Board Meeting Time (Board members & Staff only)
8:00pm – 10:00pm – ICVM Early Arrival Social – Key West Roof Terrace
Come meet the other early arrivals, many from overseas. Great snacks and coffee provided. Sponsor: Arise Builds, Gene & Linda Davis
Day 1 - September 30 - Storytellers Conference
12:00pm – 12:45pm – FIRST TIMERS MEETUP –
Great for first-timers or old-timers to learn how to make the most of the conference!
1:00pm – 3:50pm – KEEP IT REEL SHOWCASE – PART 1
This is one big reason they call ICVM ‘network central’! You get up to 3 minutes to show a trailer or reel, or get up and talk about what you’re doing – or both! But slots are limited, so sign up online! Be on-stage, or in the audience, and find people or projects you want to be involved with. BUT if you’re late, you lose your slot; and when your 3 minutes ends, LEAVE THE STAGE! (Must sign up and submit your video in advance of conference!)
4:00pm – 4:45pm – SEMINAR — HOW TO PITCH
Join Bob Saenz and Cheryl McKay Price as they help you build the best pitch possible! Anyone attending the Script & Story Pitch-a-thon or Christian Film Market should attend!
4:00pm – 4:45pm – SEMINAR – DISTRIBUTION
The Biblical ROI Equation: How To Multiply Your Content’s Impact & Profitability
With JOSH CARPENTER, Global Content — Most filmmakers know how to make films. Far fewer know how to distribute those films strategically, reach the right audiences, and maximize the return on the resources God has entrusted to them. Josh brings you The Biblical ROI Equation — You’ll leave equipped with a biblical blueprint to evaluate opportunities, identify the right audiences and platforms, reduce distribution friction, expand your reach, and increase both Kingdom impact and project profitability.
5:00pm – 6:45pm – DINNER
- OPENING NIGHT KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DAN RUPPLE
Dan Rupple brings more than 50 years of media experience to set the tone for ICVM’s 54th A respected producer, writer, and speaker, Dan has worked across television, digital programming, comedy, and faith-based media leadership. At CBS, Dan served as supervising producer for The Price Is Right, The Late Show with David Letterman, and many other iconic programs. He later led digital programming for 5 internet TV companies and began his career as a founding member of the pioneer Christian comedy team Isaac Air Freight. Today, Dan is CEO of Mastermedia International, where he serves as a trusted Christian presence within the mainstream global media industry and regularly consults with leading media executives and influencers. His upcoming book is titled “Glimpses: Viewing the Media Through the Lens of Faith.” And yes – he was the first man to walk on the moon… in flip flops.
- ICVM MEMBERSHIP MEETING: A quick update on where we stand, and a vote if anything requires it!
7:00pm – 9:00pm – OPENING NIGHT AT THE MOVIES! (in Hotel)
- ADVANCE-SCREENING OF ANGEL STUDIO’S ‘DRUMMER BOY’
- An epic musical from ‘For King and Country’s Ben and Joel David Smallbone, two brothers are driven onto opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War. With love, loyalty, and family caught in the crossfire, each must decide who he will become, as the fight for freedom turns into a deeply personal battle for forgiveness.
- Q&A AFTER!
Day 2 - October 1 - Storytellers Conference
9:00AM – 9:45AM – WORSHIP & DEVOTION
- What better way to start the day than gathering to praise our God joyfully. Join Nick Coetzee as he leads music you can sing along to, and Tim Mahoney as he brings us a Gospel-based message guaranteed to get you thinking…
10am – 11:45am – PRAYER ROOM OPEN
Hope Studios is bringing an experiential prayer room which will be a blessing to you. Stop by whenever they are open if you have a prayer request, or desire to pray for others… and you will likely leave with much more than the prayer you entered for.
10am – 11:45am – KEEP IT REEL SHOWCASE – PART 2
The fun & networking continues with attendees sharing their projects and lives in 3 minutes! Show a trailer or reel or get up and talk about what you’re doing – or both! If you’re not on-stage, be in the audience to find people or projects you want to be involved with. But if you’re late, you lose your slot; and when your 3 minutes ends, LEAVE THE STAGE! (Must sign up and submit your video in advance of conference!)
12:00pm – 1:45pm – LUNCH
- FIRESIDE CHAT: JOHN HELMS, VFX Specialist – Dominic Carola hosts a personal talk with the VFX supervisor and digital artist on films like MEN IN BLACK, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END, STAR WARS: EPSIODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH, SOUL ON FIRE, & REAGAN. John shares his journey through the changes in early VFX on classic movies, and how it’s changed and how AI is rewriting all the rules.
- KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ASH GREYSON — Ash Greyson is a media entrepreneur and marketing strategist with 20+ years of experience building and launching some of the most successful film campaigns in recent history. Having worked on more than 100 feature films, Greyson has worked with a nearly every major Hollywood studio, network and streamer overseeing and implementing digital and social strategies. Greyson has a knack for rolling up his sleeves to tackle the impossible and has been referred to as “Hollywoods Secret Weapon.” As a director/producer, Greyson has collaborated on many music videos, and was Vice President of the Indie record label, 3CG Records. In 2019 he co-founded Matter, a content accelerator and Multi-Entertainment network. The company focuses on Music, Esports, entertainment content, and Podcast verticals. He is an investor and co-founder of the crowd-funded company Pencilish Animation Studios.
2:00pm – 4:30pm – ICVM INVESTORS SHOWCASE
- Our popular Shark-Tank-like event that brings savvy Christian investors together to take on film-related business proposals. We partnered 5 years ago with Lions Den DFW, a large Christian investors group based in Dallas and led by Ed Pearce, to help our filmmakers learn how to attract start-up and expansion capital from real-world investors. We filmmakers usually get the Kingdom side of our projects, but we must learn the criteria, language, paperwork, return on investment and more to successfully raise funding. Being in the audience gives you a close-up perspective.
- Projects being presented coming soon
4:00pm – 4:45pm – INVESTORS SHOWCASE MEET & GREET
Investment professionals bring their expert advice to help you to understand exactly what it takes to convince an investor to see you as a ‘good’; investment.
5:00pm – 6:45pm – DINNER (Sponsored by Come and See Foundation & ‘The Chosen’)
- SPEAKER: Stan Jantz — We all love Dallas Jenkins & THE CHOSEN series – Now get an inside look at how it is reaching the entire world from Stan Jantz, the founding CEO and Global Ambassador of Come and See Foundation. Tonight he’ll update us on the progress, and what’s next, with THE CHOSEN as it is rapidly covering the globe as it’s being translated into over 600 languages, with changed lives at every stop.
- FIRESIDE CHAT: Tyler Thompson, the Co-Writer and Executive Producer of THE CHOSEN and the CHOSEN: THE CRUCIFIXION movie, will share inside details about wrapping up the incredibly successful series with Season 7, what’s next, and the big movie coming out next March (which you will pre-see tonight!). Stan Jantz will moderate the chat.
7:00pm – BOARD BUSES FOR DISNEY SPRINGS AMC THEATERS!
(Must take your wristbands with you to gain entry to screening!)
8:00pm – THE CHOSEN: THE CRUCIFIXION Movie ADVANCE SCREENING: You’re in for a real treat – You’re seeing the movie directed by Dallas Jenkins well before it hits theaters in March 2027.
Afterwards, Tyler Thompson and Stan Jantz will do a brief Q&A in the theater.
10:30pm – 10:45pm (approx) – BOARD THE BUSES BACK TO THE HOTEL.
Day 3 - October 2 - Storytellers Conference
9:00AM – 9:45AM – WORSHIP & DEVOTION
- What better way to start the day than gathering to praise our God joyfully. Join Nick Coetzee as he leads music you can sing along to, and Robert LaCosta, author of the new book, PORTALS TO HEAVEN.
10:00am – 11:00am – PRAYER ROOM OPEN
10:00AM – 10:45AM – WORKSHOP: Re-Launch Your Indie Film PROFITABLY!
- Writer/Director/Producer/Stuntman Ian Max Eyre, with 130+ credits, will show you your movie doesn’t have to disappear when the credits roll. Learn a practical 3-step approach to re-launching your indie film, reconnecting with audiences, and creating new opportunities for revenue. Discover how to turn a finished film into a shared experience that brings people together and gives your movie a second life. Ian’s also a Producers Guild of America Diversity Fellow and SAG Award–nominated stunt professional. Through IndieFilmROI.com, Ian explores new ways for independent filmmakers to Gather. Share. Belong.
10:00 – 10:45am – MEDIASPHERE FOCUS: AFRICA’S ALIVE WITH FAITH FILMS!
- Join this panel discussion with African Christian film leaders about the exciting growth they are experiencing, and how ICVM in helping to further encourage, educate, and inspire them to do more as we ‘connect continents’. Panelists: Rex Nwakamma, Joy Odafe, Bright Wonder Obasi.
11:00am – 1:00pm – SCRIPT & STORY PITCH-A-THON –
- GOT A SCRIPT? This is where you need to be. Pitch one-on-one to distributors, producers and networks who you choose. Get feedback, and maybe more – but you will away with relationships with key people in the industry! Will open for sign-ups Sept. 17th at 12 noon ET, but you must be registered for the conference to sign up!
Companies Taking Pitches (more to come):
1. BOBBY DOWNES PRODUCTIONS – Bobby Downes; Seeks Movie Scripts ONLY, Christian or Faith-adjacent.
2. BMG GLOBAL– Candra Knobloch – Seeks Both Christian and Secular; Feature Films, Animated Films; Christian, Family & Secular content. We help faith, family, and inspirational films find their audience through strategic distribution, licensing, and long-term monetization across domestic and international markets.
3. AMERICAN CINEMA INSPIRES – Chevonne O’Shaughnessy; Seeks Christian & Secular projects; Movies or TV series only; Seeking product that will appeal to women ages 35 to 65 romances and cozy mysteries with faith elements in them.
4. HEARTSTRINGS MEDIA – Roger Lindley; Seeks Christian or Secular, All Types
5. COLLIDE MEDIA – Bob Elder, Ashley Chambless; Seeks Script or Stories; Strictly Christian, All Types
6. CROWN ENTERTAINMENT – Brad Mix; Seeks Christian or Secular; All genres/types, but our wheelhouse is Comedy.
7. FRONT GATE MOVING PICTURES – Scott A. Shuford; Seeks Scripts or Stories; Christian or Secular; All Types
8. GLOBAL CONTENT – Joshua K. Carpenter – Seeks Scripts or Stories; Both Christian or Secular; All Types
9. C3 ENTERTAINMENT – Earl Benjamin, President; Seeks Christian, Family & Secular Content; All Types.
10. WONDERBORN STUDIOS – Toby Hughes; Seeks Christian, Family or Secular; All Types but focus is on Children’s Programming & Church or Educational Use Programs
11. LIVING SCRIPTURES+ — Michelle Moore; Seeks: Christian, Family or Secular content; Movies, TV Series, Short Films; Web: https://www.livingscriptures.com
12. HAWK HILL PICTURES – Jen Katzfey – Seeks Scripts; Christian or Secular, All Types
13. FAITH CHANNEL – John Stewart – Seeks: All types; Christian, Family or Secular Content. We produce and provide end-to-end distribution designed to expand audiences and maximize earning potential. Theatrical, TVOD, SVOD, AVOD, FAST, YouTube, and more. Web: https://www.faithchannel.com
14. DBM PRODUCTIONS – Doug Maddox; Seeks Scripts or Stories; Christian or Secular; Movies, TV shows
15. GOOD WORKS STUDIOS – Ben Edwards – Seeks Scripts or Stories; Christian or Secular; All Types
16. ReDISCOVER TV – Wally De La Fuente — ReDiscover Television is seeking compelling, well-produced stories with strong audience potential across faith, family, and mainstream entertainment. We are particularly interested in feature films, original series, documentaries, and innovative short-form and vertical content. While faith-based projects are an important part of our platform, stories do not need to be explicitly Christian. We are interested in promising scripts, concepts, and projects in development.
17. HOPE STUDIOS – Kevin Christenson; Seeks: Movies, TV Series or Shows, Documentaries; Christian or Secular; Web: https://www.hopestudios.com
18. BLUE TRAIL PRODUCTIONS – Jill Bugbee, Bill Bugbee; Seeks: Christian or Secular content; Types: Movies, Animated Films TV Series, Documentaries, Children’s TV Programs; We’re an Atlanta-based company with 20 years developing and producing impactful projects of the types above, what we call RIFF content: Redemptive, Inspirational, Family-friendly, and Faith-based stories. Web: https://www.bluetrailproductions.com
11:00am – 11:45am – SEMINAR: ACTING WITH A PURPOSE
Join producer/actor Cameron Arnett (OVERCOMER, THE FORGE) and his wife and producer BJ Arnett as they share their path and heart for God and how they hold their work and relationship together in as God-honoring way. We guarantee this will change your life.
12:00am – 12:45am – SEMINAR: GETTING STARTED IN VOICE ACTING
- Join professional Voice Actor ALAN SHIRES as he shares the inside word of voice acting – and how you can make a living doing it – he does!
1:00pm – 3:00PM — LUNCH (Sponsored by Angel Studios)
- SPEAKER: Kelly Shelton, VP of Marketing, Angel Studios & the Angel Guild, will share the latest in the ever-changing and ever-growing world of the Angel Guild. It’s still the most unique & succesful platform out there for getting a film out.
- SPEAKER: Jared Geesey, Executive Vice President of International Distribution for Angel Studios
3:00pm – 5:30pm – ACTORS 90-SECOND MONOLOGUE CHALLENGE W/ BEVERLY HOLLOWAY –
- Join much-loved casting director Beverly Holloway (I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 1 & 2; BLUE RIDGE: THE SERIES; THE CHOSEN; UNSUNG HERO) as she gives notes to the first 20 actors to sign up IN ADVANCE to present a 90-second monologue – and she may take more if time allows, so be prepared. BEST OF ALL: She will choose the 5 best to perform on stage the next at the lunch (Sat. 10/3) in front of all the directors, producers and distributors attending!
3:00pm – 5:00pm – PRAYER ROOM OPEN
3:00PM – 3:45PM – SEMINAR: SCRIPTING THE UNSCRIPTED: Creating Documentary & Reality Programs in the Age of AI
- Drawing on her book “Story Producing for Reality Television and Documentary: Scripting the Unscripted” (Routledge, 2026) and her own experience producing stories of survival from sex trafficking, filmmaker and Regent U. professor Ashley Zahorian will offer filmmakers concrete tools for the craft, the conscience, and the care required to tell true stories well — and to keep telling them – in this age of AI.
3:00pm – 3:45pm – FILMMAKER PORTRAIT: HENRIQUE FRANHANI: Servant first, filmmaker second.
- Learn from filmmaker Henrique Franhani (Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul, Forgiving The Nightmare) as he shares more about the process of how being a servant first will lead you to becoming the filmmaker that Jesus has created you to be. Franhani is a Brazilian American filmmaker local to Central Florida who has been a part of the entertainment industry ever since he stepped foot on stage at the age of ten.
4:00pm – 4:45pm – SEMINAR: SHARING THE STORY ONLY YOU CAN TELL
- Cheryl McKay Price (Showrunner, ‘THESE STONES’ TV series) tackles how best to get the story in you out and in front of an audience. She knows how, she’s done it.
4:00pm – 4:45pm – SEMINAR: BEFORE YOUR FILM IS PRODUCED – MAKE IT DISTRIBUTION-READY
- Join Doug Weiss, founder of Faith Film Collective and Sr. Media Manager for Infinity Concepts. As he deep-dives into practical steps in developing a “Distribution Ready Strategy” during pre-production that will help you avoid distribution roadblocks. Also, learn about an opportunity through the Faith Film Collective to develop an audience, marketing and distribution plan for your film.
5:30pm – 10:30pm – EVENT NIGHT AT DISNEY SPRINGS!
Dinner on your own, then an Advance Screening of the movie:
FLYWHEEL: IGNITION OF THE SOUL
- WE’RE BUSING EVERYONE TO DISNEY SPRINGS WHERE YOU’LL HAVE A COUPLE HOURS TO HAVE A NICE DINNER ON YOUR OWN, AND THEN SEE THE SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF FLYWHEEL: IGNITION OF THE SOUL AT THE AMC THEATER. BE SURE TO BRING YOUR WRISTBAND!
- 5:30pm – Buses leave to Disney Springs.
- 6:00pm – Dinner on your own – many restaurants to choose from!
- 7:45pm – Doors open for the theater screening
- 8:00pm – FLYWHEEL: IGNITION OF THE SOUL Advance Screening!
- 10:00pm – Brief Q&A with Henrique Franhani, Associate Producer of the movie!
- 10:30pm – Buses leave for hotel!
Day 4 - October 3 - Storytellers Conference
9:00AM – 9:45AM – WORSHIP & DEVOTION
Our final day to worship together – join Nick Coetzee as he leads music you can sing along to, and Tim Mahoney as he brings us ‘Part 2’ of his inspirational and introspective Gospel-based message.
10:00am – 11:00am – PRAYER ROOM OPEN
10:00AM – ACTOR SEMINAR: A CASTING DIRECTOR’S WISDOM: “IT’S A MATTER OF HEART”
- Famed casting director Mark Fincannon get down to ‘the heart of the matter’! Every actor searches for that ‘special spark’ that brings to life the character that they would like to play. Many consider every aspect of a character other than the heart. But every character has a heart. And so does the actor. In this seminar, he will lead you to explore matter of the heart! Proverbs 4:23
10:00AM – 10:45AM – SEMINAR: IMMERSIVE MEDIA: YOU ARE HERE: From Watcher to Protagonist: The New Language of Immersive Storytelling
- From the Greek amphitheater to today’s cinema, the storyteller has traditionally placed the audience outside the story. We watch heroes struggle, make choices, suffer, triumph, and change. The story happens to them, while we watch. But immersive media introduces a radical new possibility:
What happens when the audience member becomes the protagonist?
JJ Ruscella introduces a new way of thinking about storytelling using 360° film, layered environments, spatial sound, interactive moments, anticipation, and immersive design. Rather than simply placing a camera inside a scene, we will explore how filmmakers can design experiences around the person experiencing them.
11:00am – 12:45pmpm – THE CHRISTIAN FILM MARKET – BRING US YOUR FINISHED FILMS!
(for finished, ready to distribute movies, TV shows, & docs)
- We have over 27 distributors, networks or sales agents seeking finished movies, TV shows, docs and more. You get 5 minutes on-on-one with a limited number that you choose in advance as best for your film.
- You must be registered for the conference first to sign up for the film market, which will open for sign-ups on SEPT. 17th at 12 noon! If you want a chance of getting threw companies you want to pitch to, you better sign up in advance! There are only 15 slots per company, and they go quickly for the most sought-after.
COME MAKE A DEAL!
COMPANIES SEEKING YOUR FINISHED FILMS (more to come!):
- ANGEL STUDIOS – Jared Geesey, Kelly Shelton; Seeks: All types finished content; Christian, Family or Secular; Web: https://www.angel.com
- PINNACLE PEAK / EKKL– Dave Mechem – Seeks: All types, Christian, Family or Secular; Web: https://get.ekkl.com/intro/
- BOBBY DOWNES PRODUCTIONS– Bobby Downes; Seeks finished movies or TV series, All types; Christian or Faith-adjacent; Web: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0235933/
- CTN NETWORK– Paul Lodato– Seeking all faith-appropriate or Christian network-appropriate programs, including movies and TV series and documentaries; Web: https://www.ctnonline.com
- BMG GLOBAL– Candra Knobloch – Seeks Both Christian and Secular; Feature Films, Animated Films; Christian, Family & Secular content. We help faith, family, and inspirational films find their audience through strategic distribution, licensing, and long-term monetization across domestic and international markets; Web: https://www.gobmg.com
- AMERICAN CINEMA INSPIRES– Chevonne O’Shaughnessy; Seeks Christian & Secular projects; Movies or TV series only; Seeking product that will appeal to women ages 35 to 65 romances and cozy mysteries with faith elements in them; Web: https://americancinemainspires.com/films
- VISION VIDEO–Bill Curtis; Seeks Finished Christian or Secular; All Types; Web: https://www.visionvideo.com
- COLLIDE MEDIA– Bob Elder, Ashley Chambless; Seeks: Feature Films; Documentaries; Comedy; Strictly Christian material; Web: https://collidemediagroup.com
- CROWN ENTERTAINMENT– Brad Mix; Seeks Christian or Secular; All genres/types, but our wheelhouse is Comedy; Web: https://crownentertainment.us
- C3 ENTERTAINMENT– Earl Benjamin, President; Seeks Christian, Family & Secular Content; All Types.We’re a multimedia company who licenses content domestic & foreign, and also handle merchandising and content distribution for a wide array of filmmakers and producers. Web: https://c3entertainment.com
- FRONTGATE MOVING PICTURES / FRONTGATE MEDIA– Scott A. Shuford; Seeks: All types, Christian and Family; provide production, music clearance, script review, full-service marketing & public relations, and distribution services for entertainment projects. FrontGate Media is an award-winning, full-service marketing agency and media group specializing in the Faith and Family audience. Web: Visit www.FrontGateMedia.com.
- WONDERBORN STUDIOS– Toby Hughes; Seeks Christian, Family or Secular; All Types but focus is on Children’s Programming & Church or Educational Use Programs; Web: https://wonderbornmediagroup.com
- LIVING SCRIPTURES+— Michelle Moore; Seeks: Christian, Family or Secular content; Movies, TV Series, Short Films; Web: https://www.livingscriptures.com
- HAWK HILL PICTURES– Delaney Rich – Seeks: Movies, TV series, Docs, Kids Shows; Animation, comedy. Types: Christian or Family-Friendly or Secular. Web: https://www.hawkhillpictures.com
- INSPIRE MEDIA GROUP– Doug Weiss – Seeks All Types, Christian or Family only; Web: https://inspiremediagroup.com
- GMEDIA NASHVILLE– Glenn Wagner – Seeks all types, Christian, Family or Secular; Web: https://gmedianashville.com
- SOIL & STORY– Geoff Peters – Seeks Feature Films, Animated films, & documentaries; Type: Christian, Family or secular; Our work utilizes films to spark biblical conversation and community dialogue outside the US, we seek films that can be a catalyst for these conversations. Web: https://soilandstory.com
- FAMILY 7 TV – NETHERLANDS– Stephanie van der Horst – Seeks Christian films. TV shows, docs, of all types. Web: https://www.family7.nl(note: in Dutch ,but there’s a button in the header that says translation available, click that)
- DBM FILMS– Doug Maddox; Seeks: Movies or TV Series/Shows; Christian or Secular; Web: https://dbmfilms.dbmfilm.com
- FILM MERGE– Rex Nwakamma, Joy Odafe – International distribution; Seeks: Full-length features, Documentaries, Short films & TV series; Christian or Family content; Web: https://www.filmmerge.com
- OCEAN AVENUE ENTERTAINMENT– Chris Bueno –Seeks All types, Christian, Family, & Secular; Also English or Hispanic productions; Web: https://www.oceanavenueentertainment.com/news
- GOOD WORKS– Ben Edwards – Seeks: All types; Christian or Secular; Web: https://goodworkshub.com
- REDEEM TV– Christine Howard – Seeks Faith and Family-friendly feature films, animated films, TV series, children’s programming, documentaries, short films. Web: https://watch.redeemtv.com/home
- ReDISCOVER TV– Wally De La Fuente — ReDiscover Television is seeking compelling, well-produced stories with strong audience potential across faith, family, and mainstream entertainment. We are particularly interested in feature films, original series, documentaries, and innovative short-form and vertical content. While faith-based projects are an important part of our platform, stories do not need to be explicitly Christian. We are interested in both completed projects seeking distribution.
- TV 12 NORWAY– Bjarte Ystebo – Seeks: All types, Christian or Family content. Bedehuskanalen is a young and rapidly growing Christian TV station, based in Norway. Norway is the primary market, while there are viewers in Sweden and The Faroe Islands. We are looking for English language content, which we will subtitle for our viewers; Web: https://tv.bedehuskanalen.no/browse
- FAITH CHANNEL– John Stewart – Seeks: All types; Christian, Family or Secular Content. We provide end-to-end distribution designed to expand audiences and maximize earning potential. Theatrical, TVOD, SVOD, AVOD, FAST, YouTube, and more. Web: https://www.faithchannel.com
- GLOBAL CONTENT– Joshua K. Carpenter – Seeks: All types; Christian, Family or Secular; Web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theofficialjkc/
11:00am – 12:45pm – ACTING WORKSHOP: MAKE IT REAL: A Live Masterclass for Actors, Directors, Screenwriters
What makes a scene truly captivating? And how do you get there—fast? In this explosive 2-hour live masterclass, award-winning director, actor and coach Mario Morin will bring actors onto the stage to experience his approach in real time. Bring a memorized scene, monologue, character—or simply an idea. Mario will coach and direct the material live, transforming it before the audience’s eyes and pushing it toward truth, emotional impact, and shoot-ready quality. Mario will reveal specific, efficient and unprecedented tools that allow actors to break through performance clichés, directors to quickly identify and unlock the essence of a story, and screenwriters to sharpen their scenes and increase their captivating factor. Come MAKE IT REAL.
11:00PM – 11:45PM – SEMINAR: Documentary Storytelling: How to Find the Heart of Your Story
- Presented by Laura Woodworth
- Documentary filmmaking is storytelling — and it’s one of the fastest growing genres of entertainment. This session will help you take your short or long-form idea and translate it into a narrative storyline that entertains and engages audiences. Documentary storytelling begins with finding the heart of your story, and that happens through exploration and discovery. We’ll workshop how to evaluate a topic and choose your on-camera subject, plus cover interview techniques and location choices to draw out the heart of the story. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to develop a production shot list to express the story through powerful visuals audiences remember.
- About Laura Woodworth, MFA
- With over 20 years experience in award winning film, television and new media, Laura Woodworthis a writer-producer-director, development executive for Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, and a script consultant for Stage 32 in Hollywood. Her book Write Above the Noise is endorsed by leading ministry and entertainment executives. Find out more at Laura Woodworth.com
1:00pm – 2:45pm – LUNCH (Sponsored by Film Florida ,supporting Florida’s Film Community)
- GREAT PERFORMANCES: Beverly Holloway Presents The 5 Best Monologues
- REPORT: State of the Christian Film Industry Today W/ BOB ELDER
- Bob Elder, Collide Media, brings us his latest stats and box office reports to reveal if the Christian film industry is growing or contracting… no one has more up-to-date figure than Bob does! Good stuff!
- SPEAKER: JOHN LUX, Executive Director, Film Florida, a non-profit supporting Florida’s film industry and workers.
3:00pm – 4:30pm – PRAYER ROOM OPEN
3:00pm – 4:15pm – FRONTGATE’S SUPER PANEL: Your Story, Its Audience: A Christian Marketing Q&A
- Scott Shuford, FrontGate Media, leads a panel of industry media and marketing professionals, including Glenn Wagner and Steph Carse, gathered to answer your questions… You’ve made the film, developed the project, or shaped the story—now how do you connect it with the people it was created to reach? Bring your real-world marketing questions and they will answer them openly and honestly. The panel will offer practical guidance on positioning, launch strategy, publicity, partnerships, and reaching faith-based audiences through the channels they already trust.
3:00pm – 3:45pm – SEMINAR: WRITING IN DEPTH W/ BOB SAENZ
3:00pm – 3:45pm – SEMINAR: VENUS MONIQUE ON ACTING
4:00pm – 5:15pm – WORKSHOP: The Human Author in the Age of AI
- Your Craft, AI Collaboration, and the Rights You Can Document
- Presented by Kevyn Bashore
- Your story, your craft, and your creative judgment remain the foundation of meaningful work in the age of AI. In this practical workshop, filmmaker, songwriter, and educator Kevyn Bashore explores how storytellers can develop original writing, music, images, and film with AI while preserving creative intent and documenting human authorship. A central case study follows an original song through AI-assisted reorchestration and subsequent human revisions, examining accurate credits, AI labels, and platform flags. Through official forms and practical examples, participants learn to distinguish copyright registration from the separate processes for screenplay registries, music royalties, and release identifiers. Participants receive a repeatable creative workflow, a template for documenting their contributions, and registration and release guides, all grounded in a calling to forge light through story and use every tool for the Kingdom of God with discernment, integrity, and artistic excellence.
- Kevyn Bashore is an educator, award-winning filmmaker, photographer, cinematographer, writer, and songwriter-composer whose mission is to “forge light through story.”
4:30pm – 5:45pm – PANEL: HOPE STUDIOS PRESENTS: YOUR STORY MAY BE ‘TELLABLE’, BUT IS IT ‘SELLABLE’?
- ABCMany projects are ‘tellable,’ but very few are ‘sellable.’ How does a script actually become a fully-funded film…with talent…and marketing…in cinemas and streaming platforms? Kevin Christenson hosts a panel with Jared Geesey from Angel Studios, Dave Mechem from Pinnacle Peak/EKKL, Chevonne O’Shaughnessy of American Cinema International, Chris Bueno of Ocean Avenue Entertainment, and Beverly Holloway of Beverly Holloway Casting, to highlight how a great story is only one piece of the journey. As storytellers consider packaging, financing, and distribution, these industry experts will shine a light on each piece of that puzzle!
5:00pm – 5:45pm – SEMINAR: How to Sound as Good as You Look —Without Going Over Budget
- How much should you budget for sound and music – and where should you spend it when every dollar counts? Join composer and audio post producer Nick Coetzee for a practical look at film scoring and audio post production, from choosing the right composer and sound team to building a strong director–composer relationship and understanding how music serves your story. Discover how smart decisions early in production can prevent expensive fixes later—and how to get the greatest emotional impact from your sound and music budget.
- About Nick Coetzee: Born in South African, Nick is an award-winning composer and producer whose career spans more than four decades and three continents. Specializing in film scoring and audio post production, he brings a passion for storytelling to faith-based and inspirational projects. His recent credits include The Journey to Mt. Sinai Part 2, the award-winning television series Sound Mind, and the docudrama Eating with the Enemy. Nick and his wife, Alisa, operate Rain Music Productions, an audio post production studio in the Tampa Bay area. Website: RainMusic.org
6:00pm – 9:00pm – DINNER (Sponsored by Hope Studios)
- PAUL MARKS RECOGNITION: A GODLY LIFE OF SERVICE & HONOR
- KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BRYAN YEE, COO OF INNOVATIVE DREAMS
- Innovative Dreams is at the forefront of GAI through its work on Wonder Project’s ‘HOUSE OF DAVID’ series. Bryan will take us through the AI production process that is, quite simply, mind-blowing.
- CROWN AWARDS FINALISTS CELEBRATION – Join us as we announce the 5 finalists in 19 categories that will be up for the Gold, Silver & Bronze Crown Awards Presented at the Crown Awards Ceremony at NRB next February.
- CROWN AWARDS TROPHY PRESENTATIONS – 10 Categories will receive their Crown Award Trophies and Certificates tonight! Categories being awarded are:
- BEST MUSIC VIDEO
- BEST SHORT FILM
- BEST CHRISTIAN TALK SHOW
- BEST VIDEO PODCAST
- BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
- BEST SOUNDTRACK
- BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
- BEST EDITING
- BEST USE OF AI ON SCREEN
- BEST STUDENT PRODUCTION
- THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!
Special Member Rates
Register
Register to attend the ICVM 54th annual Storytellers Conference, September 30 – October 3, 2026.
Partner with us
Sponsor
Help support the mission of ICVM and partner with us in supporting an international community of Christian storytellers.
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Event Venue
Complimentary hot breakfast is included along with an evening reception. Book your hotel stay with our discounted rate.
Upcoming Events
Storytellers Conference
Oct 1-4, 2025
Our next 53rd annual Storytellers Conference will take place in Orlando Florida. The event includes our Christian Film Market, Storyteller Pitch-A-Thon, Investor Pitch Showcase, Crown Awards finalist celebration, and more.
Crown Awards
Oct 1-4, 2025
The longest-running faith-based film awards ceremony celebrates its 53rd annual year recognizing and promoting the very best in Christian production. We award 22 categories for every type of production with our awards ceremony held at NRB.
MediaSphere
Summer 2026
MediaSphere is an online summit by ICVM bringing together our international community of storytellers, producers, distributors, and investors for a day filled with learning, innovation, and meaningful connections.