Here are today’s dispatches from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

1. Another honor for October Baby. Prior to its March 23 nationwide opening, the award-winning, coming-of-age film  will screen as an Official Selection of the Omaha Film Festival Saturday, March 10, at 12:30 p.m. at The Great Escape Theater.

Released by Provident Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films, October Baby stars Rachel Hendrix as Hannah, a 19-year-old young woman who embarks on a search for truth after after discovering that she is a survivor of an attempted abortion.  The movie, which is being described as surprisingly humorous as well as dramatic, is, according to co-director/co-writer Jon Erwin, ultimately a story of “how powerful forgiveness can be.”

I recently spoke with Jon and his brother (co-director) Andrew Erwin about the film and I will present that interview to you (as well as my review) when release date draws nearer.  I will tell you now that I found them both very impressive and that I am very much rooting for this film to succeed.

Now in its seventh year, the Omaha Film Festival has been named a Top 25 Film Festival Worth the Entry Fee by Movie Maker Magazine. Last year, more than 450 entries yielded screenings of 92 feature films and documentaries.

OCTOBER BABY Omaha Film Festival Screening Details
DATE       Saturday, March 10
TIME        12:30 p.m.
PLACE    The Great Escape Theater
7440 Crown Point Avenue
Omaha, Neb. 68134
402-884-9740

To learn more, visit:  OctoberBabyMovie.net  and/or OmahaFilmFestival.org

2. Imagine a Hulu that focuses on uplifting its audience. You can stop imagining. It’s here. With quality partners like Hallmark Hall of Fame and Odyssey Networks, SpiritClips.com is a one-stop site for original and acquired video content that offers a welcome break from the general entertainment industry’s fascination with cynicism and “edginess.”  My belief is that if, as individuals and as a culture, we can focus more attention on such positive attributes as affirmative faith, kindness, tolerance, gratitude and forgiveness, we just may see (and recognize) more of all the good there actually is in the world and maybe even be more prone to contribute to it a little bit more. Check it out here.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11