Faith + Gender + Sexuality + Film = Level Ground Film Festival
Oct 21, 2013
auto_awesome
Chelsea McInturff, a passionate advocate for faith and cinema, Samantha Curley, who focuses on gender and sexuality in film, and Ryan Bell, a former pastor examining faith and culture, join forces to discuss the groundbreaking Level Ground Film Festival. They share how a seminary student group initiated this platform for dialogue on faith, sexuality, and gender. The trio highlights the role of film in fostering community, creating safe spaces for conversations, and bridging gaps between the LGBT community and evangelical perspectives.
The Level Ground Film Festival uniquely addresses the intersections of faith, gender, and sexuality, fostering dialogue through cinematic art and community engagement.
The formation of the One Table student group at Fuller Theological Seminary marks a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ inclusion and theological discourse in evangelical education.
By promoting dignity and empathy in conversations about sensitive topics, the festival aims to bridge divides and encourage authentic relationships among diverse audiences.
Deep dives
Introduction to Level Ground Film Festival
The Level Ground Film Festival is the world's first film festival that focuses on the intersections of faith, gender, and sexuality. It aims to create a safe space for dialogue, challenging cultural polarities through art. Scheduled to take place in Pasadena, California, from February 20 to March 2, the festival encourages individuals from different backgrounds to engage with thought-provoking films. The festival not only showcases cinematic art but also incorporates discussions and community involvement, aiming to foster understanding among diverse audiences.
One Table Student Group
The One Table student group at Fuller Theological Seminary was launched to support LGBTQ+ students and engage in meaningful conversations about faith and sexuality. Co-founders Chelsea and Samantha, both students at Fuller, recognized the need for a safe community for students navigating their identities. The group’s formation marked a significant step for Fuller as it was the first evangelical seminary to endorse such an organization. Through shared meals and open discussions, One Table aims to convert theological discussions into personal stories, enriching the dialogue around sexuality.
Art as a Catalyst for Conversation
The primary mission behind the film festival is to utilize art, particularly cinema, as a means to open up conversations about sensitive topics that typically create divides. By presenting films that resonate with varied narratives, the festival seeks to lower the barriers that prevent individuals from engaging respectfully with opposing viewpoints. Films serve as a medium where audiences can encounter stories different from their own, fostering empathy and understanding. The added dimension of art creates opportunity for dialogue that might be difficult to achieve through traditional discussions.
Building Bridges through Film
Film serves as a powerful tool to connect people of diverse backgrounds and ideologies. Both Chelsea and Samantha emphasized the importance of storytelling in film, explaining how engaging narratives help audiences to empathize with characters beyond their own experiences and beliefs. The festival curates films that not only entertain but also challenge viewers to reflect on their assumptions about faith and sexuality. By watching these films, participants are invited to process their feelings and thoughts in a context that encourages openness rather than defensiveness.
Aiming for Dignity and Understanding
The underlying agenda of the festival is to promote dignity in conversations surrounding faith, gender, and sexuality. Rather than seeking to convert or persuade individuals towards a particular stance, the aim is to create an environment where differing views can coexist with respect. By prioritizing dignity in discussions, Level Ground is positioned as a bridge for those navigating uncomfortable topics in a world that often seeks division. As people engage in these dialogues, the hope is to form authentic relationships that foster greater acceptance and understanding across differences.
Get ready for a conversation about sexuality and film with evangelicals. Chelsea McInturff, Samantha Curley, and Ryan Bell visit the HBC headquarters in Redondo Beach to chat up the planet's first film festival exploring faith, gender and sexuality.
Not only will you hear about the upcoming film festival and how you can support it, but you will hear the story of how a Seminary student group came to kick-off the Level Ground film festival. Fuller is the largest Evangelical seminary in the world and the first to sanction an official LGBT student group, One Table, started by Samantha and Chelsea. The community developed there birthed the Level Ground Film Festival.