Since what we read in a real sense enters the soul, it is vitally important that we read the best and nothing but the best. I cannot but feel that Christians were better off before there was so much reading matter to choose from. Today we must practice sharp discipline in our reading habits. Every Christian should master the Bible, or at least spend hours and days and years trying.

-A W Tozer

I recently had the opportunity to watch a short film called Kavi. The film is about a young Indian boy who is a slave at a brick kiln. Afterward I got to speak to Gregg Helvey, the writer and producer of the film. Turns out, Kavi was Gregg’s project for graduate film school at Southern Cal.
The film is only 17 minutes long, but it is powerful. Gregg did an amazing job telling a complicated story in such a short time frame. Kavi, the main character, just wants to go to school and play cricket like all the other kids, but is forced to carry wheel barrow loads of bricks all day.
You need to help support Gregg’s effort to raise awareness about modern day slavery. It was really interesting to hear all the effort that went into making the film. It took a lot longer than expected, but this is a great example that making something great does not happen easily nor over night. It recently won the Student Academy Award, which means it’s up for nomination at the Academy Awards. It is also being shown at film festivals all across the country.

Here are some of its awards:

Gold Medal- 2009 Student Academy Awards
Qualified for 2010 Academy Awards – Short Live Action
Best of Fest- Palm Springs International Shorts Festival
Audience Award: Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (April 23 & 26th)
Grand Jury Prize + Best Short Film: USA Film Festival
Official Selection: Rhode Island Film Festival (Aug 4th -9th, 2009)
Official Selection: Nashville Film Festival (April 17th & 19th, 2009)

Here’s how you can support this great effort:

Visit www.kavithemovie.com
Become a Fan on Facebook
To host a private screening: email helvey@kavithemovie.com
Please spread the word.

Great job Gregg. Can’t wait for the full feature!

Wow.  Just got back from Washington D.C. for the Idea Camp, put on by friends Charles Lee and company.  It was a great time to connect and to learn. The whole premise on the event was how to work together to achieve our visions and dreams.  Want to give a couple of shout outs to some new friends and a few old ones. Be sure to check them out and be blessed by their work.

Mr. @catalystleader LV Hanson himself. Had a great conversation as we both regretted not ordering Chick-fil-A.

Ryan Sission (eleho.org)

James Pearson (acholibeads.com)

Bethany Hoang (ijminstitute.org)

Dawn Carter (@decart)

Armando Fullwood (globalneed.org)

DK (newsong.net)

Peter McGowan (plainjoestudios.com)

Tony Ferraro (twubs.com)

Jesse Phillips (@jessephillips)

Also got to catch up with Backstage Leadership speaker Mark Batterson and did an interview with Dave Gibbons.  Backstage Leadership fall semester starts in 3 weeks (Sept 20 deadline). Its going to be awesome!  More to come on Idea Camp download.