The Movieguide Awards is an annual award ceremony for Christian entertainment held every year in Hollywood and broadcast on the Hallmark Channel around the same time as the Academy Awards . The awards are commonly described as "The Christian Oscars" in industry circles.
34-624: In 1985 Ted Baehr of the Christian Film & Television Commission created Movieguide a family guide to movies and entertainment. In 1988 conversations began with Sir John Templeton resulting in the Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala debuting in 1993 with funding from the John Templeton Foundation . Since then, Movieguide's Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala has grown into
68-754: A "Teddy 'The Good News' Bear" Family Friendly Awards for Excellence, and one is picked as the Best Movie for Families at the Annual Movieguide Awards. The nominees for Best Movies for Mature Audiences are picked by the editorial staff of Movieguide, and awarded to movies made with excellence, and also contain strong moral and redemptive themes. These nominees receive the "Papa Bear" Award for Excellence, and may contain subject matter not appropriate for young children. The Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performances in Movies and Television are given to
102-711: A "traditional view of the Bible and Christianity." The content of a movie is evaluated for acceptability based on its "dominant worldview" (biblical, Christian, environmentalist, humanist, romantic, socialist, homosexual, false religion, New Age / Pagan, etc.) and on secondary elements, (hints of worldview, foul language, violence, sex, nudity, alcohol, smoking/drugs, miscellaneous immorality, or miscellaneous philosophical or theological problems). Every year since 1993, Movieguide hosts an "Annual Faith and Values Awards Gala" in Beverly Hills, California. According to Movieguide
136-837: A Rufus Choate Scholar from Dartmouth College . He then received a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law, where he served as Editor of the NYU Law School newspaper. In 1975, at the encouragement of a friend, Baehr read the Bible , which changed the direction of his life and career. He applied to the Institute of Theology at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and received his Doctor of Humanities degree from Belhaven College . He became
170-567: A few cases, after we approve of and review the movie according to our stringent criteria, we have been remunerated for our services through a sister organization set up for this purpose to help underwrite the extra time these promotional efforts required. Further rebuttal from CFTVC advisory board member Jane Chastain in World Net Daily countered that the Christianity Today article was a slanderous "hatchet job", noting that
204-492: A panel of judges decide who should receive each award. In 2019 the panel included Dr. Ted Baehr; Cindy Bond, producer of I Can Only Imagine ; Cale Boyter, a film producer; DeVon Franklin , CEO of Franklin Entertainment; Mike Medavoy , a film producer; Robert Norton, Group CFO for Animal Logic One; David Outten, a former Disney artist; Rich Peluso, Executive Vice President of Affirm Films; Pablo Perex De Rosso, Director in
238-472: A televised event that has been hosted by such celebrities as Terry Crews , Chuck Norris , Sadie Robertson , Bill Engvall , and Joe Mantegna . In 2014, The New Yorker noted that the Movieguide Awards have become more politicized following funding from the right-wing lobbyists. The trophies are shaped like teddy bears, a subtle nod to Movieguide CEO and Founder Dr. Ted Baehr. Annually,
272-401: A website and biweekly journal that evaluates motion pictures and other entertainment products from a Christian perspective on suitability for family consumption. He also hosts nationally and internationally syndicated Movieguide radio and television programs. Born in 1946, Baehr is the son of Irvine E. Theodore Baehr , an actor who worked as Robert (Tex) Allen, and actress Evelyn Peirce . He
306-438: Is given out to the winning screenwriters. The 2017 film All Saints , from Sony Pictures , was the first Kairos Prize Finalist to be released nationwide by a major studio. Ted Baehr Millard Robert E. Theodore Baehr (born 1946) is an American media critic and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a division of Good News Communications, Inc. He is publisher and editor-in-chief of Movieguide ,
340-575: Is not part of Good News Communications, the non-profit that supports the CFTVC and publishes Movieguide , Kairos does donate to Good News Communications. The article quotes David P. Gushee , an ethicist then at Union University in Tennessee as saying that accepting money to promote movies and publishing reviews of those movies in a magazine that "presents itself as a Hollywood watchdog," is a conflict of interest. Baehr contends otherwise. He states that
374-796: The Academy Awards . According to the annual report for 2010 movies, "Movies that fit Movieguide's high Christian, moral, biblical, theological, spiritual, production, aesthetic, and entertainment principles, values, and standards do much better than those movies consistently violating those principles, values, and standards." A March 2004 article by Marshall Allen in Christianity Today claimed that Baehr's public relations company "Kairos Marketing" accepted payment for consulting and promotional activities on behalf of six movies that were positively reviewed in Movieguide . Though Kairos
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#1732802357571408-803: The National Council of Churches . It was during this time that he met the former director of the Protestant Film Office, George Heimrich and was inspired to resurrect the activities of that group, which, until it was closed in 1966, had participated heavily in "approving" scripts of the major Hollywood studios for compliance with the MPAA 's self-imposed Production Code . Ted has been featured on shows such as Oprah , Hannity & Colmes , CNN, ABC, Fox News, AMC Specials, Entertainment Tonight , and The 700 Club . His opinions have been featured in major newspapers and magazines, including
442-811: The Wall Street Journal , The New York Times , Time , USA Today , the Los Angeles Times , The Washington Post , The Hollywood Reporter , and U.S. News & World Report . He has given lectures at the European Parliament, Parliament of the UK, the Parliament of Norway, the Parliament of the Philippines, as well as at Oxford, Dartmouth College, University of Virginia, Yale University, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. He taught at
476-929: The Bombay Communication Institute. Ordained as a bishop in the Independent Christian Churches International and in the International Ministerial Fellowship, Baehr has preached throughout the world. In 1985 Baehr began publishing Movieguide as a biweekly magazine of movie reviews, which has now expanded to an online database of movie reviews. Movieguide 's reviews use a "Biblical perspective" and are aimed at helping parents use informed judgment when deciding what entertainment products are suitable for their families' enjoyment. In 1986 Baehr founded The Christian Film & Television Commission (CFTVC), which encourages
510-443: The CFTVC primarily functions as an advocacy group, with the end goal of "redeeming the values of the mass-media." Reviewing films in order to advise filmmakers and educate the public is only one aspect of the ministry's overall goal to promote a "redeemed Hollywood." Supporting moral movies through advertising is another. We've lent our expertise to many movies – gratis, for the sake of helping God's kingdom advance in this industry. In
544-822: The Director of the Television Center at the City University of New York . While there researching the impact of media in education, he also launched his first ministry, the Good News Communications, Inc. ministry. In 1979 he was elected President of the Episcopal Radio and Television Foundation and began conceptualizing the Christian Film & Television Commission. He also served on the Communications Board of
578-663: The Hallmark Channel annually . All major movies released each year on the big screen in the United States, usually the top 250 to top 275 depending on how many movies the major studios in Hollywood and the major independents release, are included in the annual Report to the Entertainment Industry . The results are presented to industry executives at a Hollywood awards gala one week or so before
612-475: The Protestant Film Office, the ideological predecessor to Baehr's organizations, was routinely paid for consultations by Hollywood Studios that needed its stamp of approval. Other rebuttals followed, including one from Pat Boone , published in Christianity Today , lamenting that publication's decision to attack rather than aid a fellow Christian organization in light of a perceived problem. Christianity Today did not officially retract its criticisms, but it removed
646-1147: The Southern California Motion Picture Council; the President's Award from ICVA/ICCM; the Religious Heritage of America Faith and Freedom Award; the Covenant Award from the Radio Television Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention; the Hollywood Anti-Pornography Coalition Award; and the Knights of Columbus Gold Plaque, "in recognition of continued high standards and commitment to attaining wholesome family values." Robert Allen (actor) Robert Allen (born Irvine E. Theodore Baehr , March 28, 1906 – October 9, 1998)
680-645: The allegedly biased article from its website and published a reply by Baehr about his organization and the allegations against it. Baehr has received the Eagle Award by Western National Religious Broadcasters for his positive impact on the secular entertainment industry; the Educational Policy Conference Award; five Angel Awards from Excellence in Media; a Chicago Intercom Silver Plaque; the prestigious Wilbur Award; three awards from
714-524: The best, most inspiring performances demonstrating God's grace and love towards us as humans being. In the 2020 Movieguide Awards , the Genesis Award was given to movies or television programs that promoted the blessings that the animal kingdom provides to humankind. In the 2023 Movieguide Awards , awards were given to the most inspirational independent movie, and the most independent streaming/television program. Established by Movieguide in 2005,
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#1732802357571748-596: The box office in North America during the previous calendar year, the top movies overseas earning $ 100 million or more during the calendar year, and an analysis of the top DVD sales for the previous calendar year. It analyzes these movies based on the various categories and letter codes of the Movieguide rating system. The report then presents statistics on various cultural topics including: Hollywood demographics, world religions, faith in America, charity in America,
782-560: The content team of Netflix ; Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman, the writing and production team of God's Not Dead ; and, Simon Swart, a 25-year studio veteran. The two Epiphany Prizes for Inspiring Movies & TV are specifically for entertaining movies and television programs that are wholesome, spiritually uplifting and inspirational. The Faith & Freedom Award for Movies & TV is awarded to entertainment that promotes positive American values. The values considered include such values such as liberty, religious freedom, freedom of speech,
816-579: The creation of the Annual Movieguide Awards and the Epiphany Prizes with Baehr. In addition to the awards, Baehr presents the "Report to the Entertainment Industry", an annual analysis of the past year's movies and their gross financial earnings in North America, internationally and in home video sales. The report includes articles about each of the Gala's award winners, an analysis of the Top 25 movies at
850-462: The family, children and media, internet, and media wisdom. The report concludes with the "Twenty Most Unbearable Movies" of the past year. Movieguide uses this analysis and statistics in the report to attempt to convince studio executives and filmmakers that producing "family-friendly" and "spiritually uplifting", "redemptive" and even positive Christian content can significantly increase the earnings of their movies. The Movieguide Awards now air on
884-516: The major media companies to produce "wholesome, family entertainment." By cross-indexing Movieguide 's moral criteria with box office statistics, Baehr's commission produces an annual Report To The Entertainment Industry which attempts to prove that the American public prefers "wholesome, worthwhile, moral movies." The Report also includes a listing of the ten best "family friendly films" and ten best "morally edifying mature audience films" of
918-559: The original productions of Show Boat and Kiss Them for Me . In 1956, he appeared in the original production of Auntie Mame . He appeared in other Broadway plays, in touring productions, soap operas, documentaries and commercials. He became a real estate broker in 1964 and returned to the stage from time to time, including an appearance as J.B. Biggley in the 1972 Equity Library Theatre revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . Allen
952-412: The purpose of the Gala is to "[encourage] filmmakers and television producers to bring the brightest, most uplifting and inspirational movies and television to audiences world-wide." The gala includes the presentation of: The $ 100,000 Epiphany Prizes and the $ 50,000 Kairos Prizes are supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation founded by the late Sir John Templeton , who personally discussed
986-560: The purpose of the Kairos Prize for Beginning and Established Screenwriters is to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and television industries. Seeking to promote a spiritually uplifting, redemptive worldview, the prize was founded to inspire first-time and beginning screenwriters to produce compelling, entertaining, spiritually uplifting scripts that result in a greater increase in either man's love or understanding of God. Each year, at least $ 30,000 in prizes
1020-518: The right to vote, property rights, proper compassion for others, protection of the innocent, the right to due process, the right to life, the right to pursue happiness, the rule of law, democracy, the free market, ownership of private property, and many other traditional values. Movieguide's editorial staff views and analyzes every major movie released that makes over $ 1 million and compiles the Ten Best Movies for Families. Each nominee receives
1054-462: The role, starring in six films for director Spencer Gordon Bennet in that year alone. The star was billed as Bob Allen. However, the great success of Wild Bill Elliott in Columbia's 1938 serial The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok prompted Columbia to drop Bob Allen and replace him with Elliott. Allen continued to work in pictures as Robert Allen or Robert "Tex" Allen. He had acted on Broadway in
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1088-1003: The year, all of which are awarded plaques at Movieguide 's annual award show. The medievalist Sarah-Jane Murray is among those who have written for Movieguide . According to the New Yorker , Movieguide is a large database that monitors and rates movies on faith-based content. Funding from right-wing lobbyists resulted in increased policization of their reviews and awards which promote "increas[ing] man's love and understanding of God" and disparage content as "humanist", "feminist", "environmentalist", "PC" ("politically correct worldview or elements"), and "Ho" ("homosexual worldview or sexuality""). Movieguide rates movies for both quality and acceptability. Quality ratings (1 to 4 stars) cover production value, entertainment quality, and technical or narrative accomplishment. Acceptability ratings (range from +4 to −4, or exemplary to abhorrent) include evaluation of moral and theological issues, based on
1122-471: Was an American actor in both feature films and B-movie westerns between 1935 and 1944. Allen's first notable role was the male lead in Love Me Forever (1935), for which he won a Box Office Award. After the departure of cowboy star Ken Maynard , Allen was plugged into producer Larry Darmour 's formulaic Ranger pictures. Along with sidekick Wally Wales (played by Hal Taliaferro ), he redefined
1156-603: Was raised in New York City , gaining experience acting in commercials, motion pictures, television and on stage. During his twenties, Baehr met and began dating Lili, whom he would later marry. The couple has four children and resides in Southern California. Baehr is an evangelical Christian . After studying at several universities in Europe, Baehr graduated summa cum laude in comparative literature and as
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