The 2013 Dove Awards ceremony, known primarily to honor achievements in gospel music, handed out awards for film, television and music videos for the first time in Dove Awards history. Inspirational film achievements in television, short and long form music videos and feature films were recognized at the Dove Awards ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee on Oct. 15 and aired on UP Network Monday night, Oct. 21. The addition of visual medium categories is in response to the growing prominence of faith-based content.
‘The Bible’ Miniseries Phenomenon
The Dove ceremony offered special recognition to Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s record-breaking miniseries, “The Bible,” which took the television industry by storm on The History Channel in March 2013. The Emmy-nominated miniseries earned the distinction of its first installment attracting the largest cable television audience of 2013 and ultimately garnered over 100 million viewers.
The epic endeavor covers Genesis to Revelation in five, two-hour segments and became the biggest selling miniseries on DVD of all time.
Creators and producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey made an appearance at the Dove Awards via video satellite. Burnett addressed their vision saying, “Roma and I produced this series because we felt called to. We had on our hearts to bring the stories of the Bible to live in fresh, visual new ways.”
They thanked the wide array of Gospel music artists who lent their voice to the project and announced a spring launch of “The Bible” live experience concert tour, which will integrate live music with memorable scenes from the series.
Uplift Someone Award
Former “American Idol” top 10 finalist-turned-multiple Grammy and Dove nominee Mandisa received special recognition last night by receiving the Dove Uplift Someone Award for her brand new video “Overcomer.” The video features a bevy of high-profile “overcomers” including, “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, who recently overcame a battle with leukemia, Olympic gold medalist and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton and U.S. Congresswoman and shooting victim Gabby Gifford, to name a few.
Mandisa stressed God’s promise to help His children overcome in her inspirational acceptance speech. She said, “It is my absolute joy and privilege to be able to make music and to share it with my brothers and sisters in Christ and to remind them what God said, ‘You dear children are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’ So let me encourage you, don’t quit don’t give in. You’re not going to be an overcomer. You are an overcomer.”
Mandisa was also nominated for a Dove Award for Short Form Video of the Year with her “Lose My Soul” collaboration with Kirk Franklin and TobyMac. TobyMac took home the award for “Eye On It” and Hillsong United took home the Long Form Video Award for their “Live in Miami” video.
Courageous Sweeps Inspirational Film Category
There were 11 nominees in this year’s Inspirational Film category, including Jerusalem Countdown, Christmas with a Capital C, Revealing Jesus, Love Begins and more. Director Alex Kendrick and producer Stephen Kendrick took home the Inspirational Film Dove Award for their co-written feature film Courageous.
The riveting and emotionally-affecting 2011 film was produced by Sherwood Pictures, creators of Facing the Giants and Fireproof. It stars Alex Kendrick in the lead role as Adam Mitchell, along with Ken Bevel, Kevin Downes and Ben Davies. In it, four police officers struggle with their faith and roles as the head of their families, in the face of a terrible tragedy – Adam’s daughter is killed by a drunk driver. As is common in many of life’s tragedies, Adam turns to God and the Bible for direction on fatherhood. He drafts a “Resolution” and commits to being a better father.
The men are tested in many ways and the film’s resounding message ends with a quote from Joshua 24:15: Choose today who you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.