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Published April 08, 2016
The 19th Annual Faith & Values Movieguide Awards, slated to take place in Los Angeles Friday night, is certainly not saturated in media hype like the Oscars or the Golden Globes, yet it still has quite a standing in some Hollywood circles.
The somewhat “different” awards show, sometimes referred to as the “Christian Oscars,” honors only those films that promote high moral values, and serves to encourage filmmakers to bring uplifting and inspiration viewing content to audiences across the world.
“(We choose nominees) by looking at things in a very comprehensive sense. We look at dramatic virtues and moral virtues and we look at spiritual elements. We look at ontology, which is the nature of reality. We look at epistemology, all of those philosophic and theological, metaphysical elements,” Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and publisher of Movieguide, and Chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission told FOX411’s Pop Tarts. “Another important criterion is dramatic values. Is it entertaining?”
The categories include 10 Best Films for Family Audiences, 10 Best Films for Mature Audiences, The Faith and Freedom Awards (for promoting positive American values) and The Grace Awards (for outstanding performances exemplifying God's grace and mercy.) Receiving nominations across various categories this year are the likes of “Toy Story 3,” “True Grit,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Tangled,” “Letters to Juliet,” “Secretariat,” and “Letters to God.”
And according to Baehr, the presence of the Faith & Values Movieguide Awards has had a profound impact in advancing positive values within the motion picture industry.
“Since we've been doing this, the number of R-rated films has dropped from 82 percent to about 30 percent. The number of movies with positive Christian content has gone from 1% percent to 60 percent and movies with moral content has gone from 10 percent to 80 percent. We see the studios wanting to make money,” he explained. “Even 'Chronicles of Narnia' and some of the other really big films that have strong faith content do it because they understand there's an audience out there.”
Friday’s awards show has an impressive lineup, with Kevin Sorbo hosting and Kathy Ireland, Michael Bolton and Taraji P Henson all listed as expected attendees, while former “American Idol” star Ace Young and gospel duet Mary Mary will perform.
But apparently there are many more who want in on the wholesome action.
“Diane Lane said she wanted to come and present an award, as did Dean Cain,” Baehr added. “We have more stars, more executives, more foundations, and more representatives of the faith community. We've never had this many stars before!”
Deidre Behar contributed to this report
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/who-will-win-the-faith-values-movieguide-awards