Why Kickstarter All or Nothing?

Every time a door closes in front of me, I take a moment and mourn the lost opportunity. I then dust myself off and move forward. In my line of work this seems to be a weekly occurrence. It happens so often I actually look for ways to get rejected. Not necessarily me personally but my current film project. It has even become my weekly mantra. If I am not getting rejected once a week, I am not working hard enough. Because to get rejected you have to put yourself out there. You must become vulnerable. And there are few things more vulnerable than an artist's work. I am actually at a point where I've lost every worldly possession and security trying to be obedient to my call to make movies with life, where I can take it on the chin every other day and keep moving forward. Only because Jesus has fortified the things that really matter, my marriage and my children. They continue to thrive.

So when I missed the cut from Semi-Finalist to Finalist for the Kairos Prize, I mourned for a half day and then thought of my next step, that would completely fill me with fear, yet be faith filled.

Kickstarter - "All or Nothing" Campaign

For my next step, I wanted to do something that was impossible. A Kickstarter campaign requires a fan base of over 30,000 people. I don't have that. I also wanted an "All or Nothing". I didn't want to raise 5k among my Facebook friends and have to figure out how to make another no-budget film. So, we raise 2 million, or all pledges are returned. For the last ten years I have been serving on film projects in the 1-5 million budget range. So for 2 million I know our crew can make a beautiful film and we can cast it with experienced actors. I am already learning a lot preparing for the campaign. This week is the Pre-launch among friends who already follow me. Check out my Kickstarter page. I need your feedback. Do you like what you see? Is the information clear? Was anything missed? And if you could commit $1 or more when we go live February 1, 2018 we'll be rolling!  I chose a 21 day campaign because February 21st is my 40th birthday! So it's either going to be the best birthday of my life as I exit the wilderness and enter my promised land or another opportunity to kick defeat in the teeth and take another step of faith forward. Because I believe if God is for me, who can be against me.

Will you be one of my first backers on February 1st? On February 2nd we launch our marketing campaign to attempt to reach over 8 million fans of Christian films all over the world. This freaks me out but also fills me up with faith. Another way you can help is to contribute to our advertising budget, just reach out at sethhimes@gmail.com. 

Check out our teaser for Illuminate, featuring music by Bethel's Steffany Gretzinger! And pray! Pray for God to do a wonder as we step out in faith, so all may experience the Father's Light!