All Christian theology and film aficionados should mark their calendars for the 2023 Faith and Film Festival presented by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Jan. 26-28, 2023.

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).

“We are excited to welcome movie fans back to campus for another Faith and Film Festival, our third since the festival began in 2020! Watching movies and dissecting them from a faith perspective together is quite rewarding,” said Erika Bennett, the Seminary’s director of Continuing Education. “The films we have lined up for this festival are excellent, and our moderators are excited to facilitate many thoughtful discussions! Don’t miss this chance to engage in rich conversation with our faculty and other experts who share a passion for the intersection of faith and film.”

Presenters and speakers include:

• Dr. Gillian Bond, director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia Seminary and contributor to the Everyone His Witness (Concordia Publishing House) 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. Joshua Hollmann, associate professor of religion and theology at Concordia University, Saint 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”
• Karen Lewis, graduate of Yale University with a major in religious studies, and a graduate of Webster University with a Master of Science in finance and a Master of Business Administration
• Dr. Joel Okamoto, 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., 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, is director of mission integration at Lutheran Senior Services and guest instructor in Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and the author of Walking the Labyrinth
• Rev. Jacob Wampfler, maintenance staff at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Ariz., and vacancy pastor at Lutheran church of the Master in Phoenix, Ariz.
• 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. Students may register for $50, with an option to add meals for additional cost. The deadline to register is Jan. 12, 2023.

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.