Six-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Tim Conway to be honored with "The David;"
Bella to Receive Special Honor

Contact: Judy Baker, Regent University, 757-226-4307

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- The 2nd Annual Candlelight Forum -- a celebration of film and television writers, directors and producers of quality and life-affirming entertainment projects that encompass a broad-based audience and leave a lasting and positive impact on our world -- returns to Hollywood on Tuesday April 1st with a special 7:30 PM presentation at the DGA Theater.

The evening brings together both established and emerging creative talent along with smaller and larger studios from both coasts. The event will be hosted by singer/actress Kathie Lee Gifford and author/TV executive SQuire Rushnell. Legendary comic actor Tim Conway will receive a Lifetime Achievement honor and special honors will be presented to the independent film Bella, winner of the Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award.

The program and reception following is hosted by Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts in Virginia Beach, VA, which has several alumni working in Hollywood in the entertainment industry. The Candlelight Forum affords an occasion for networking among those who share a common purpose and hope of sparking new ideas, new projects and greater funding opportunities. It is a critical component of a year-round dialogue that draws industry leaders as well as students, alumni and friends from throughout the entertainment industry to the yearly gathering.

"The Candlelight Forum's mandate is to acknowledge and highlight current and future entertainment projects that choose to illuminate the human condition, rather than exploit it," says Michael Patrick, dean of the School of Communication & the Arts. "Our overall goal is to foster an ongoing conversation and encourage the efforts of those whose work exemplifies 'Lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness.' Our goal for the
evening is to gather like-minded people who are striving to use their talents and craft to make a difference in the lives of others through film, television and other forms of entertainment."

This year's presenters include:

• Rick Eldridge, Film Foundry presenting on his forthcoming productions including Matt Damon's Running the Sahara by Academy Award-winning director James Moll and The Perfect Game, based on a true story of the rag-tag, shoeless group of kids from Mexico who shocked the world in 1957 by winning 13 baseball games in a row and the Little League World Series in the only perfect game ever pitched in the championship;
  
  
• George Taweel and Rob Loos from TLC Entertainment, celebrate 20 years as an innovative production and distribution company, as they continue to launch "mini-movies®", films, and new releases targeting the direct-to-consumer market.
  
  
• Walt Disney Studios and Chip Flaherty, Senior Vice President of Walden Media presenting the forthcoming feature The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
  
  
• Actor Eduardo Verastegui and the Metanoia Films team presenting the critically-acclaimed movie, Bella.
  
  
• David Kirkpatrick, former president of Paramount Pictures, presenting his latest venture, Plymouth Rock Studios.
  
  
• Ralph Winter, X-Men trilogy producer, on remote in Sydney, NSW Australia where he is prepping Wolverine, which is scheduled for release in 2009.
  
  
• Matthew Crouch, chairman of the board and CEO of Gener8Xion Entertainment, a Hollywood-based production company. He was previously CEO of the Hollywood-based independent film and television production company that produced The Omega Code.
  
  

During the celebration, acclaimed comedian Tim Conway will receive "The David" honor for his Lifetime Achievement in a career that spans four decades. Conway is best known for his role on The Carol Burnett Show, for which he earned five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and three generations of fans. Current roles include Barnacle Boy on SpongeBob SquarePants, Freddy in the upcoming Garfield's Fun Fest, the Hermie and Wormie animated DVD series, as well as the comedy special Thou Shall Laugh.

Named in honor of the biblical King David, who was a writer, poet and musician, "The David" celebrates the life of the poet-king who understood the influence and value of the arts in leading the nation. The first "David" honor was given to David Kirkpatrick, past president of Paramount Pictures, whose body of work has had a lasting positive influence on popular culture, earned a collective worldwide box office gross of more than $10 billion and garnered close to 400 Academy Award nominations and 163 Academy wins.

This year, the Candlelight Forum pays its Candlelight Honors tribute -- which recognizes a film or entertainment industry leader and alumni whose projects and personal contributions exemplify the finest in positive value and redemptive entertainment and whose work and example encourage others -- to the independent film Bella; its producer and star Eduardo Verastegui; producers Sean Wolfington, Leo Severino, Alejandro Monteverde and Eustance Wolfington; and the movie's production company, Metanoia Films, which describes its mission as creating timeless films that make a positive difference in the world by promoting stories and characters that inspire and change people's lives. Bella was the winner of The People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and was an Official Selection at film festivals around the country.

This year's 2008 Alumni Honors -- given to a Regent University alumnus who has distinguished him or herself in the film and entertainment industry -- will be announced during the evening's festivities. Previous recipients of this distinguished award include Cheryl McKay, writer of the critically acclaimed The Ultimate Gift.

A reception will follow the 7:30-9:30 presentation. Admission is free for industry guests and media, however please RSVP to Frank Tobin FXTOBIN@aol.com or call 323.661.3720. Dress is business attire.

The Candlelight Forum is sponsored by Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts; Christian Broadcasting Network; InterMission, Hollywood; Plymouth Rock Studios; David and Darrellyn Melilli; and Daniel and Cynthia Burleson.

ABOUT REGENT UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1978, Regent University has more than 4,000 students studying on its campus in Virginia Beach, Va., and online around the world. The School of Communication & the Arts offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in fields such as theatre, cinema-television, journalism and digital media. The school has been recognized with 165 film awards in national, regional and international competition. For further information on The Candlelight Forum, visit www.regent.edu/candlelight. For further information on Regent University, visit www.regent.edu.