Title: TV Documentary Featuring Lutherans Wins Bronze Award
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 7, 2000

TV DOCUMENTARY FEATURING LUTHERANS WINS BRONZE AWARD
00-04-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Playing in the Light: Our Changing Faith," a
television documentary featuring members of  "the post-modern
generations" discussing their faith, won a Bronze Award in the category
for Television and Cable Production Awards, Religious Programs, at the
"Worldfest-Flagstaff" film festival Nov. 5-14, 1999.
     In the documentary, nine young people between the ages of 16 and
33 from the United States and Canada tell their faith stories, offer
opinions on societal issues such as the environment and sexuality, and
discuss their fears and hopes for the future.
     Producers for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
and the United Church of Canada, on behalf of the National Council of
the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC), created "Playing in the
Light."  Through the NCC, the program was offered to NBC-TV
affiliate stations.
     John Lynner Peterson, director for public media, ELCA Department
for Communication, served as an executive producer for the documentary.
Several Lutherans were featured in "Playing in the Light."
     ELCA members Anne Edison-Swift, Park Ridge, Ill.; Brandon Morton,
Chicago; and John Lawyer, Minneapolis, are among those interviewed in
"Playing in the Light."  Lutheran Volunteer Corps member Alison Kautz,
Seattle, is also interviewed.
     The festival featured screenings of more than 40 new independent
feature-length films and 80 new short films, workshops with well-known
directors,  cinematographers, producers and writers, and an awards
competition.
     "Worldfest is the largest film and video competition in the world
in numbers of entries, so an award from this festival is a very
significant validation of your creative excellence," said J. Hunter
Todd, Worldfest chair and founding director, in a letter to award
recipients. "In some categories there are more than 200 entries and we
usually make only one gold, silver, bronze and finalist award in each
category ... so, an award from Worldfest is a major accomplishment."
     The next Worldfest is to be held April 7-16 in Houston.
     "The documentary explores the hunger that young people have in
their quest for spiritual fulfillment," said Peterson. "We wanted to
show a range of experiences of people in the midst
of their journeys, both those inside the church and those who do not
belong to a church."
     Members of post-modern generations face concerns and challenges
unique to their generation, such as concern for personal safety,
openness in discussing sexuality, a strong concern about the environment
and experience with broken parental relationships, Peterson said.
     "They want a clear sense of belonging," he added.  "'Relationship'
is essential."
     Dave Pomeroy, an executive producer of the documentary and
director for electronic media, NCC, New York, said the video "looks at
the nature of ecumenism and how young people understand it."
     Callie Long, senior producer, Division of Communication, United
Church of Canada, produced "Playing in the Light."
     The ELCA is a member of the NCC; the United Church in Canada is a
member of the NCC's communication commission.

     [EDITORS NOTE: Copies of "Playing in the Light: Our Changing Faith"
are available from EcuFilm, 810 12th Ave. South, Nashville, Tenn. 37201.  
The cost is $34.95.]


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