Contact: Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934, melany@alarryross.com

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- First-time screenwriters greeted last year’s launch of the John Templeton Foundation Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays with much excitement, a flurry of great scripts, and one suggestion for improving the contest – hold it every year instead of every other. That request has been granted, as the Templeton Foundation – along with its partners, Movieguide® and the Christian Film & Television Commission™ – today announced the contest will become an annual event.

“We are pleased to be able to present this $50,000 prize every year now, so that Hollywood can reap the benefit of a continual stream of creative, inspiring scripts,” said Dr. Jack Templeton.

Last year’s winners saw their screenplays reviewed and considered by several top Hollywood decision makers, the likes of Disney’s Dick Cook and DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Sir John Templeton has long believed that the media plays a role in how individuals form their ideas about faith and values. Similar to the famous Templeton Prize, the Foundation has initiated these prizes specifically for the entertainment industry.

“Through our involvement with the film and television industry, we hope to encourage support of and approbation for those who desire to use their talents to give us a deeper awareness of the spiritual dimension of life,” said Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of Movieguide® and the Christian Film & Television Commission™. “We want people of faith to work alongside the Hollywood studios to help them produce entertainment choices that appeal to the largest possible audience.”

Criteria for the Kairos Prize describe screenplays that are wholesome, uplifting and inspirational, and which result in a greater increase in either man’s love for or understanding of the “one true creator God.” The prize values awarded are $25,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $10,000 for third. The value of the Kairos Prize makes it competitive with some of the biggest contests in the industry, and puts it at the top for awards in this category.

More information and submission guidelines are available at www.kairosprize.com. The deadline for early entries is Nov. 3; the late deadline is Dec. 15. Quarter-finalists will be notified by early February, 2007.

The John Templeton Foundation was established in 1987 by renowned international investor, Sir John Templeton, to encourage a fresh appreciation of the critical importance — for all peoples and cultures — of the moral and spiritual dimensions of life.

The Christian Film & Television Commission™ is a ministry dedicated to redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles. MOVIEGUIDE® is the monthly publication of the Christian Film & Television Commission. More information can be found at www.movieguide.org.