CDI Films 'Wild Faith' and 'Chasing the Star' Continue the Connection with Audiences, Peers

LANSING, Mich. - April 30, 2018 - PRLog -- Whether filmmakers, actors, painters, writers, musicians, singers or those in a host of other creative/cultural endeavors, true artists have a first desire to exist in a limited, albeit subjective, realm during the production process. Being faithful and uncompromising to oneself (or the team) and the discipline is foremost. The payoff is to earn an audience. Those who desire to see or hear the work.

Anything after that - things like being recognized by your peers - is bonus territory, whether individually or as an artistic 'Tribe.'

Award-winning Lansing-based feature film production company, Collective Development Incorporated, in the midst of a highly successful limited theatrical engagement for it's latest release, the 1870s family-friendly drama/adventure 'Wild Faith,' continues its rapid, world-wide expansion to audiences and subsequent recognition within the industry.

'Wild Faith,' a racially-charged, socially-challenging parable as relevent today as it was post-Civil War and thru the Jim Crow era, has been nominated for four awards at the International Christian Film Festival (ICFF) in Orlando, Fla., May 1-4.

Written by DJ Perry (who Co-Stars), 'Wild Faith' is up for four honors – 'Best Picture'; 'Best Lead Actress' (Lauren LaStrada); 'Best Lead Actor' (Shane Hagedorn); and, 'Best Director' (Jesse Low).

And it doesn't stop there for CDI, whose faith-based film, 'Forty Nights,' the first installment in 'The Quest Trilogy,' won 'Most Inspirational Film' honors at last year's ICFF.

'Chasing the Star,' the second film in the trilogy, directed by Bret Miller, has been nominated for five awards, including: 'Best Picture'; 'Best Lead Actor' (Garry Nation); 'Most Inspirational Film'; 'Best Screenplay' (DJ Perry; and, 'Best Musical Score' (Dennis Therrian).

'Chasing the Star' tells the story of the Three Magi and their perilous journey to reach Bethlehem and the birth of The Messiah.

The ICFF is one of the largest faith-based, family-friendly festivals in the world and is considered 'The Academy Awards' of the Christian/Faith-Based film genre. The ICFF is the only faith-based festival that has a screening annually at the Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera.

In addition to Ms. LaStrada, Mr. Hagedorn and Mr. Low, CDI Executive Producer, Rebecca Lawlor, will represent the company at the festival. Ms. Lawlor, a Virginia-based actress, philanthropist and business woman, has been a friend, supporter and frequent collaborator with CDI, dating back to 2000 and the company's Civil War epic, 'Wicked Spring.'

This year's speakers and entertainers at the ICFF include, among many others, Kevin and Sam Sorbo, actor/producer and Co-Founderof Pureflix entertainment, David A.R. White, award-winning band, 'Newsboys,' and longtime singer/songwriter and keyboardist for Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, 'Journey.'

'The Christ Slayer,' CDI's final story in the trilogy, is currently in post-production and is due out before Christmas.

And in addition to the screening of 'Wild Faith' at the ICFF in Orlando, it was announced this week by CDI that the film will have a limited engagement May 14-16 at the Goodrich Quality Theaters, Riverview GDX 14, in Gibsonton, Fla. (a Tampa suburb). Just added were special showings in Holland and Grand Haven, MI May 14th and 16th at 7:00 pm.

Prior to moving to the Sunshine State, where it will also screen at the ICFF, 'Wild Faith' has seen multiple sold-out screening runs at major theater chains in Lansing, Grand Rapids, suburban Detroit, Hastings (where a bulk of the film was shot), Jackson, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

Longtime members of the CDI 'Tribe,' actors/producers/directors Anthony Hornus, Melissa Anschutz, Dean Teaster and David Gries, along with CEO Mr. Perry, will remain in Michigan, where pre-production continues on 'MBF' (Man's Best Friend) for May-June Principal Photography.

Collective Development Inc. website
www.cdiproductions.com