Contact: Wesley Strackbein, 210-340-5250 ext. 222, wesley@visionforum.com

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Sept. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), host to the largest cash prize in the world awarded to a single filmmaker, is breaking new ground for independent filmmakers by facilitating downloadable media film distribution contracts to all semi-finalists and finalists competing for Jubilee Awards during their January 8-10 competition.

The opportunity is being forged through a strategic partnership between the SAICFF and a national media distribution company and sponsor of the SAICFF which has agreed to actively distribute independent Christian films accepted as SAICFF semi-finalists through the sponsor's online download platform. All filmmakers whose submissions are accepted as semi-finalists for the SAICFF's annual film competition will be given the opportunity to sell their video for download -- regardless of whether or not the films win an award.

"For years, independent Christian filmmakers have struggled to find financially viable distribution streams for their films," noted Doug Phillips, founder of the SAICFF. "We are pleased to announce that an important step has been taken to meet this challenge."

"Those filmmakers who pursue this option will have their films available for sale the week of the festival itself. Kiosks will be provided by the sponsor at the event for festival attendees to download the semi-finalist films onsite," Phillips explained. "If a festival attendee views a film and likes it, he can purchase the film right then, right there.

"This is another important way that independent filmmakers can begin to realize a return on their investment," Phillips concluded. "It is a process that we are pleased to facilitate -- to reward those hard-working independent Christian filmmakers who have produced a quality product that the SAICFF has recognized."

To be eligible for this distribution opportunity, film submissions for the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival must be entered online and postmarked by October 1, 2008 (November 1 for feature film submissions). For more details on submission guidelines visit: www.independentchristianfilms.com.

To interview Doug Phillips regarding the SAICFF's vision to support filmmakers through creative distribution opportunities, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at wesley@visionforum.com or by phone at (210) 340-5250, ext. 222.