News

‘Useless’ Gets Useful at 168 Competition

Short film about justice vs. mercy wins top prize in Christian speed-filmmaking event

Christianity Today April 20, 2011

One of America's more fascinating film fests is the annual 168 Project, in which entrants must shoot a movie from scratch in just seven days time.

The Christian-themed event, held in early April in Glendale, Calif., chooses a different Scripture passage each year as its theme. This year's theme was Philemon 1:10-11: "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me."

Fitting that a film called Useless would win Best Film and several other awards – and prize money totalling $12,000 – at the 168 Fest. The 11-minute fictional film features a U.S. Marshal seeking revenge for his father's murder, but then is forced to consider the possibility of forgiveness.

You can watch the film below or at its official website:

https://vimeo.com/21904874

Useless (2011 168 Project Winner) from Brandon Adams on Vimeo.

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