All Christian theology and film aficionados should mark their calendars for the Third Annual Faith and Film Festival presented by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Jan. 27-29, 2022.

The festival serves as an opportunity for participants to explore Christian themes in movies and develop eyes to see film in new ways. Participants will watch films together and engage in challenging discussions with theologians, pastors and film critics about the themes of redemption, reconciliation, mercy, grace and more.

Throughout the festival, participants will attend plenary auditorium screenings, as well as breakout sessions where they will have an option to choose up to three films at registration, each with their own discussion moderator(s). The winners of the Seminary’s first-ever short film contest also will be introduced and their films screened during the festival.

“We are excited to welcome people back to campus for the Third Annual Faith and Film Festival after last year’s online-only event. Watching movies and dissecting them from a faith perspective together is quite rewarding,” said Erika Bennett, the Seminary’s director of Continuing Education. “We have another great lineup of films and moderators this January. You will not want to miss this chance to engage in rich conversation with experts and others with a passion for the intersection of faith and film. And there will be popcorn too!”

Presenters and speakers include:

• Dr. Gillian Bond, director of the deaconess studies programs at Concordia Seminary, secretary for the ABET accreditation board and contributor for the Everyone His Witness (CPH) science module
• Heather Choate Davis, L.A.-based writer, speaker and Master of Arts in theology graduate from Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.
• Rev. George “Geordie” Denholm, pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo., and a theater major from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill.
• Dr. Erik Herrmann, professor of Historical Theology, dean of Theological Research and Publication, and director of the Center for Reformation Research at Concordia Seminary
• Seth Hinz, director of marketing and creative at Pathfinder Lutheran Church in Ellisville, Mo., and a StoryBrand Certified Guide
• Dr. Philip Hohle, adjunct faculty in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, and Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., and author of the books The Filmmaker’s Prayer and Lenses
• Dr. Joshua Hollmann, associate professor of Religion and Theology at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.
• Dr. David Lewis, associate professor of Exegetical Theology and director of the Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route programs at Concordia Seminary and author of the essay “Cinema and the American Mind”
• Dr. Joel Mayward, assistant professor of Christian ministries, theology and the arts at George Fox University, Newburg, Ore., theology editor for The Other Journal, and professional film critic
• Dr. Joel Okamoto, associate professor and chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology and the Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary
• Abby Olcese, Kansas City-based writer, film critic and contributor to Soujourners Magazine and Think Christian
• Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of Exegetical Theology and the dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary
• Joshua Salzberg, L.A.-based film and television editor and writer, with credits that include Will Ferrell’s “Step Brothers,” Adam Sandler’s “Funny People” and Kristen Wiig’s “Welcome to Me”
• Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez M., professor of Systematic Theology, the Werner R.H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Chair in Hispanic Ministries and director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary
• Dr. Travis Scholl, chief mission officer at Lutheran Senior Services, St. Louis, Mo., and author of Walking the Labyrinth
• Rev. Jacob Wampfler, street outreach coordinator for the Phoenix Rescue Mission and co-host of the “Faith + Film” podcast
• Rev. Dale Ward, senior media producer at Concordia Seminary, pastor at New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific, Mo., and executive producer for the Emmy-winning national talk show “On Main Street”
• Jacob Youmans, director of the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program at Concordia University Texas, Austin, and author of Talking Pictures: How to Turn a Trip to the Movies into a Mission Trip
• Dr. Michael Zeigler, The Lutheran Hour Speaker, co-host of the “Speaking of Jesus” podcast and author ofChristian Hope Among Rivals

The festival is an adult-only, limited-seating event. Registration is $100 and includes meals. Registrants may choose to sponsor a student, covering their full registration cost. The deadline to register is Jan. 14, 2022.

Learn more and register at csl.edu/faith-and-film. For more information, contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or [email protected].

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.