Former U.S. Senator and GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum has been named CEO of EchoLights Studios, a Dallas-based company that produces movies for Christian audiences. Coming soon to theaters is “The Redemption of Henry Myers.” (Henry’s a bank robber in the Old West who we’re pretty sure is going to change his ways.) EchoLight’s second film “Hoovey” is in post-production. Based on the story of Illinois basketball player Eric “Hoovey” Elliott who overcomes a near fatal brain tumor, Hoovey stars Patrick Warburton (Puddy on Seinfeld) and Lauren Holly (NCIS, Picket Fences), and is directed by Sean McNamara of “Soul Surfer” (the film about teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton who returns to water after losing an arm in a shark attack).
In February 2013, EchoLights pledged $1 million to produce and distribute a new work from the Best Film winner in this year’s 168 Film Project. Contestants create a short movie based on a Biblical scripture in just one week or 168 hours. (Scriptures are chosen at random; contestants select a rock with a scripture on it.) No swearing, no gratuitous sex, violence, language or drug use–or overly revealing costumes allowed. Winner of EchoLights $1M prize will be announced at the 168 Film Festival this August at the Glendale Performing Arts Center. Past guest presenters of the award have included Stephen Baldwin (“The Usual Suspects”) and producer Howard Kazanjian (“Star Wars”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”). Nearly 2,000 are expected to attend.
