Our History
From a Local Outreach to an International Movement.
168 Film started in 2003 after founder John David Ware encountered many industry professionals who were interested in making their own faith-based films, but were unable to do so for a variety of logistical reasons.
A timed film production competition meant the end of the talking and the start of the DOING. The length of the competition was of primary importance. The contest needed to be long enough to allow for the production of serious art that would indeed advance careers (on both sides of the camera), and short enough to allow people to collaborate and not go broke in taking time off from work. Seven times twenty-four hours equals 168, and that is how the contest got its name.
In 2003, the first 168 Film Project competition began; providing local Southern California filmmakers the opportunity they've been longing for to practice their craft.
At the first 168 Film Festival, thirteen films screened in Evans Chapel at Bel Air Presbyterian Church to a standing room only crowd. "I am sure that some of those folks came to see how bad these short films based on Bible verses would be," said Ware, "But, they came and saw how good they were and it created a buzz in both churches and in the filmmaking community."
Since the inaugural competition and festival in 2003, interest in 168 Film expanded internationally with participants coming from many different countries. Now, more than twenty years later, over 1,500 short films have been produced, impacting lives and launching careers for tens of thousands of participants worldwide, as each participant has a unique encounter with the Word of God.
168 Film is a non-profit organization funded by donors and sponsors. Join us on our mission with a tax-deductible donation.