Gospel Filmmaking Network Fully Set For Maiden Annual Conference
By Oluwafemi Dosu
The Gospel Filmmaking Network, GFN is fully set for its maiden annual conference. The conference is holding tomorrow 8 and 9th of November, 2024, Gospel Film News can confirm.
This was disclosed today during a Press Conference held at Redemption City of God, Ogun State.
While briefing journalists at the conference the association’s Director General, Evang Kayode Babalola said The Gospel Filmmaking Network was established under the visionary leadership of our esteemed Chairman, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye, supported by a robust Board of Trustees, whose steadfast commitment to the ministry of Christian film has been evident for decades. Their leadership, wisdom, and unwavering faith have paved the way for the formation of this guild, which we believe is both timely and divinely inspired.
He added that GFN is a community, a network, and a guild specifically designed to cater to the technical crew members who labor tirelessly behind the scenes of Christian films and productions. “For far too long, the faces in front of the camera have received well-deserved recognition and applause. However, the efforts of those who work diligently in areas like directing, set design, makeup artistry, production design, continuity, costume design, sound engineering, and many other critical roles often go unnoticed. At GFN, we aim to change that narrative,” he stated.
The Director General stressed that: “The Gospel Filmmaking Network seeks to uphold and elevate the standards of gospel film production. It is our firm belief that as custodians of the message of Christ, we have a mandate to present this message with excellence, creativity, and professionalism. Our films must not only communicate the heart of the gospel but also meet and surpass industry standards in technical quality, storytelling, and artistic merit. Excellence honors God, and that is our standard.
“Our mission is clear: to equip, empower, and uplift every crew member involved in gospel filmmaking. We aim to provide comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources that will enhance the skills and capabilities of our members. Through workshops, masterclasses, and hands-on practical sessions, we are creating a thriving ecosystem where knowledge is exchanged, talents are refined, and a new generation of creatives rises to the challenge of impactful filmmaking.
“But our work is not solely about honing skills; it is about community, about fellowship, and about building each other up in a spirit of unity and mutual support. At GFN, we recognize that we are more than a guild—we are a family of believers committed to using our gifts and talents to serve God’s kingdom. We believe in collaboration over competition, in lifting each other up, and in standing shoulder-to-shoulder as we tell the stories that matter most—stories that bring hope, healing, salvation, and transformation,” he stated.
For his part, the chairman of Gospel Filmmaking Network Board of Trustees, Evang. Mike Bamiloye ably represented by his vice, Reverend David Kola Okeowo reiterated that The Gospel Filmmaking Network is a Professional association that brings together gospel film production crew members, which are workers who labor behind the camera to out the Gospel movies on the world entertainment and world evangelical missions platform.
According to Bamiloye, Other Christian drama organizational
body like ANCEDRAM has, for many years, been covering for the drama ministers, and ministers on Stage and on Screen, however, there is need to rise up and bring the men and women behind the Camera under an organizational umbrella for more technical and spiritual training and collaboration.
He added that “The vision of establishing this association was first birthed 20 years ago, in the year 2004 to be precise, when it was inaugurated at Premiere Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State, amidst many drama ministers and Christian movie makers of that time. However, we now come to understand that it was truly not the right time, because the Lord has made everything beautiful in its own time (Ecclesiastic 3:11), hence the
glorious rebirth of the great association this year, with the inauguration of the Gospel Film Making Network on June 7, 2024, during the Drama Ministers Power Night, at the Jesus Centre of Mount Zion Faith Ministries Intl,
Ibadan. The Professional Crew members covered and invited to GFN include the following film making Personnels:
-Producers
- Director of Photography
- Assist O. P
- Movie Directors
- Continuity Managers
- Make-Up Artists
- Set/Props Designers/Managers
- Costume Designers/ Managers
- Sound Managers
- Light Managers
- Screenplay Writers
- Music Composers
- Movie Editors
“The major Objectives of GFN therefore are spelt below:
- To serve as an umbrella
professional body for evangelical filmmakers;
- To provide a platform for professional development, collaboration and representation within the filmmaking industry.
- 3. To organize and up-to-date inspiring technical training, seminars and workshops for her members and interested
- To create ministerial opportunities for her members within Nigeria and other countries
- To maintain standard and discipline in gospel motion pictures production
- To connect with international faith based movie production organizations for productive and fruitful production networkings.
- To liaise with other gospel motion pictures makers in cordial relationship with external evironment.
- To raise God fearing and Heavenly conscious faith based movie makers in other
“The Lord has revealed to us that the GFN is an International Organization with operational presence in some other countries of the world to help raise Godly and Heavenly minded christian film makers and for international collaboration for Kingdom expansion.
The GFN-UK has been established and
has organized their first Conference in London in the first week of November this year. It would be officially inaugurated in the early part of 2025. Gospel moving making professionals based in other countries too are invited to join this professional body,” Bamiloye affirmed.