The Prairie Pirates, a feature-length flm written and directed by Northwestern College communications professor Jamey Durham, was honored as the best children’s film at the Creation Arts Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 3 to 7. The movie was shown to those in attendance at the family and Christian film festival on July 4. “I’m very excited to receive the best children’s film award,” says Durham. “One of the things that was exciting for me personally was that ‘Facing the Giants’ was named the festival’s best picture. Just to be considered even in the same league with that movie, which has done so well at the box office and sold a million DVDs already, is thrilling.”
Durham’s movie, which he describes as a “comedy with a heart,” tells the story of a hidden pirates’ treasure buried in Iowa. Children stumble onto a treasure map and must rely on their wits to solve its riddle, unearth the loot and save their community.
The Prairie Pirates, shot in northwest Iowa in 2005 and 2006, premiered in Orange City last March. It has also been shown in theatres in Sioux City and Nashville, Tenn.
In addition to its honor at the Creation Arts Festival, The Prairie Pirates has been selected to be shown during the Gloria Film Festival in West Valley City, Utah, in August. Durham has sent the DVD to major Christian and family-oriented movie distributors for consideration, and will be meeting with industry officials while attending the International Christian Retail Show and the International Christian Visual Media Catalyst Conference in Atlanta July 10 to 14.
The DVD is available for purchase at The Dove in Orange City and The True Vine in Sioux Center.
