More to the story

Ever since its release in spring 2024, "Color of Threads" has continued to grow acclaim as it is featured at various festivals and local screening events. The short film, with its faith-building message, was previously shown at the Sonscreen Film Festival, Walla Walla University Homecoming Weekend 2024, and most recently, Walla Walla Movie Crush, where it was voted among the top ten audience choice awardees out of 100 submitted films.

"Color of Threads" follows five women who move to Pendleton, Oregon, in 1909, and fight to secure a job and a future in the turbulent post-Civil War climate of the American frontier. Associate professor of communication and Center for Media Ministry (CMM) director Lynelle Ellis says the film explores the themes of learning to love others and overcoming difficulties of the past: "a true message of God's redemptive love."

"Color of Threads" was created as a series' proof of concept. Entering it into numerous festivals increases interest in the film in the hopes of it being acquired for production. Ellis says, "I believe the film's message is resonating with audiences and it will continue to help fulfill the mission of the CMM as it is screened at festivals around the country." The film has already received such positive affirmation from viewers, and Ellis is quite optimistic about the film's chances of being developed into a full series.

Sonscreen Film Festival and Walla Walla Movie Crush are just the start of public, competitive showings that "Color of Threads" will be participating in. In late July through early August, the film will be shared at the San Antonio Film Festival, and it will be shown at both the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience and Gig Harbor Film Festival this fall. It has also been entered into an additional 20 festivals whose selection decisions will be announced throughout the next year.

The film was produced by the CMM, a program whose mission is to provide meaningful, world changing content through the art of filmmaking. It was written by WWU alumna Josie Henderson and the production process was a learning opportunity for 14 WWU communication students, who worked alongside filmmaking experts. Read more about students' involvement in the film here.

For more information about the CMM, go to wallawalla.edu/cmm. For further details about "Color of Threads" and future screening events, visit colorofthreads.com.

Posted July 25, 2024