"The films are based on Bible verses," Quinn said. "Each participant picks a randomly selected Bible verse that we have picked on the theme from the year."
At the end of two days of screening, entrants with the top films are given awards in 15 categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Scriptural Integration.
Leading a crop of 56 submissions for awards was "Threshold," a film about the interrogation of a woman with dicey criminal past. The film was based on a passage from Galatians:
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law."
In spite of the fact that the festival is a Christian event, many of the entries take on dark and controversial themes, Quinn said.
"They seem to want to be edgy," she said. "So we do have more violence than I think is necessary, but they seem to want to show the steamy kind of things and that God can change it."
There are, however, rules against filming excessive violence, foul language and gratuitous sex, she added.
Part of the Film 168 project's mission is to combat trends in mainstream media and films that seem to glorify harmful themes, said John Ware, founder and executive director of the Burbank-based nonprofit organization which runs the event. Those who control story telling also control culture, he added. "We are not following Hollywood," he said. "Hopefully, we are leading it as we follow Jesus."
