…Life-affirming themes used to be a hallmark of classic filmmaking, whether their genius was immediately recognized or not. A case in point is the work of Frank Capra, a director who is the namesake of Life Fest’s most prominent award. Capra was the youngest of seven children in an Italian immigrant family, and is remembered for crafting the simple richness of everyday life onto the silver screen in such films as “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”

The beauty of Capra’s filmmaking is the power of the parable, as seen in the compelling illustration that no one’s life is an accident.

“Don’t follow trends,” Capra advised young filmmakers. “Start them!”

 

Read more at my article for Live Action News last week, “Past winners of Life Film Fest’s Capra Award and how they honored life”.

Check Life Fest’s Facebook page to see this year’s winners and the way they updated the awards rubric to provide a variety of Capra Awards.

Header photo of Frank Capra is from The Red List.

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