Independent Film News

"Jesus Camp" Gets Distrib Deal with Magnolia

Back in April I posted about three upcoming films about summer camp. One was Jesus Camp, a documentary about an Evangelical Christian summer camp for teens of faith. It's IMDb page even calls it a camp for kids "hoping to become the next Billy Graham." Can't say I've ever met one of those kids...

But I digress. After enjoying the festival rounds this summer, the film walked away with a Special Jury Award at Tribeca and a Sterling Silver Grand Jury Award from Silverdocs, Camp has secured a distribution deal with Magnolia Pictures.

The doc follows three children at Kids on Fire, a camp in (aptly named?) Devil's Lake, N.D. run by Rev. Becky Fischer. The synopsis on the film's Loki Films site explains it thus:

...kids as young as 6 years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in God's army. The film follows these children at camp as they hone their prophetic gifts and are schooled in how to take back America for Christ.

Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles is quick to highlight the film's universitality, saying "It's almost like a Rorschach test. The groups covered in the film who've seen it feel it's fair and objective presentation, (but) people are going to have wildly differing opinions about it."

Jesus Camp opens in New York on September 29; Magnolia plans a traditional art house release, adding conservative Christian markets (where independent films don't usually screen) to the mix as well.

Posted by Lisa on July 28, 2006 10:27 AM
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