JCTV to Premiere Faith-Based Film Series ILLUMINATE, 9/9

A teenager and his father are embroiled in a bitter conflict, but only a blind man sees the truth. A college student has to choose between cheating on her final paper and canceling a date with her new boyfriend. An alcoholic father must remain sober, or risk losing his relationship with his daughter. A lazy man fails to heed the warning label on a bottle of medicine, and takes his riding lawn mower for a reckless joy ride.

Age-old, universal problems are given modern interpretations in the innovative new television series ILLUMINATE, premiering on JCTV, the youth-oriented cable television division of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), on Sunday, September 9. The series, written, produced and directed by filmmakers John Schimke and Stewart H. Redwine, is comprised of short cinema-quality films based on the Parables of Jesus, as told in the New Testament, each set in modern times.

Originally marketed online as “36 Parables,” the short films that comprise “Illuminate” will be introduced on-camera by Schimke, who will then lead a spirited panel discussion with other Christian filmmakers and television professionals. Guest commentators will include producer Brian Bird (“Touched by an Angel”), filmmakers Kat Smith and Laura McCollough from the faith-based Production Company One Time Blind, and many others.

“I feel that Jesus’ parables offer clear messages, but what makes them great is that you can always find something new to understand about them,” said Schimke, a graduate of the prestigious American Film Institute in Los Angeles. “This show will give the audience an inside perspective from the filmmaker as to why each film was made the way it was, and how other Christian filmmakers interpret them.”

“All the films have the key ingredients for a great story: good acting, interesting plots and good production quality,” added Mark McCallie, JCTV’s vice president of programming. “What John has put to film reflect the values of JCTV. Delivering a well-produced story utilizes the medium of film and television that entertains but also has a strong message of truth embedded into it.”

JCTV, which was launched in 2003, features 24 hours of faith-based programming that includes reality shows, music videos, game shows, talk shows relevant to youth, comedy, extreme sports and more. JCTV’s parent company, TBN, is the world’s largest religious network and America’s most watched faith channel offering commercial-free inspirational programming that appeal to people in a wide variety of Protestant, Catholic and Messianic Jewish denominations. “Illuminate” will be the JCTV’s first program of short films. Although based on Jesus’ Parables, Schimke believes his movies are relevant to people of all faiths.

“My intention is that people are entertained and learn something new about these stories,” he said. “This is certainly a faith-based show, but the issues the films deal with resonate with everyone.”

“Illuminate” will premiere on JCTV on Sunday, September 9 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/ 7:30 p.m. Central. A new episode will air each Sunday and will be repeated at the same time on Monday.

Information about JCTV is available at www.JCTV.org.

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