2011 Share the Story Contest Judges
The Judging Process
A three-tiered judging process began once all submissions were uploaded following the January 10 deadline.
First Level– All entries were screened by a committee for appropriateness of content and copyright infringement as part of the preliminary judging process.
Second Level– Entries were divided by category and reviewed by industry professionals and those involved in youth and young adult ministry. These committees selected their top nominations for each category based on the judging criteria below.
Final Level— A panel of distinguished judges was divided among the award categories. They reviewed the top entries and used the judging criteria to select winners for each category.
Judging Criteria
The over-riding purpose of films submitted to the “Share the Story” Contest was to effectively illustrate the Catholic story, leading viewers to a clearer, fuller understanding of the Catholic faith.
The films were judged using the following criteria and weight:
–How Fully, Compellingly the Film Conveys the Story of Its Subject Matter (40%)
–Effectiveness in Reaching Youth and Young Adults (30%)
–Originality & Creativity in Presentation (20%)
–Level of Technicality (10%)
Final Judging Panel
(Scroll down for biographies and photos, as well as a list of the second-round judges.)
Doug Barry Co-Host of EWTN’s Life on the Rock
Sr. Helena Burns, FSP Media Educator & Movie Reviewer for Catholic New World
Fr. Dominic De Lay , OP Writer/Director, Mud Puddle Films
Dan DeMatte Youth Minister, Star of the TV mini-series “God or the Girl”
Fred Fosnacht CEO of MyCatholicVoice
Jason Jones American Film Producer and International Humanitarian Advocate
Rob Kaczmark Partner and Production Manager of Spirit Juice Studios
Matthew Kelly Author and Founder of DynamicCatholic.com
Steve McEveety Executive Producer/Producer for movies such as The Passion of the Christ and Braveheart
Michael McNaught Program Director of the LA Religious Education Congress Film Showcase
Derek Natzke Video Producer for Life Teen, Inc.
Fr. Robert P. Reed President of The CatholicTV Network
Dr. Brian Reynolds, Ed.D. President of Catholic Youth Foundation USA
Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB CEO of Salt and Light TV
Brian Singer-Towns President, St. Mary’s Press
Greg Willits Co-Host of Sirius XM’s The Catholics Next Door
Fr. Don Woznicki Founder/Executive director of New Ethos
Judging Panels
Doug Barry – Co-Host of EWTN’s Life on the Rock
Doug Barry is the Founder and Director of the Catholic apostolate RADIX, as well as a husband and father. Since 1992 Mr. Barry has traveled throughout the United States along with journeying to several other countries, spreading and defending the Catholic faith. He is well known for his one-man performance of the Passion of the Christ as well as co-hosting EWTN’s Life on the Rock with Fr. Mark Mary, MFVA.
Sr. Helena Burns – Media Educator & Movie Reviewer for Catholic New World
Sr. Helena Burns, FSP, is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation founded to communicate God’s Word through the media. She is finishing her M.A. in Media Literacy Education; has a B.A. in theology and philosophy from St. John’s University, NYC; studied screenwriting at UCLA; and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Youth Ministry. Sister Burns is the movie reviewer for “The Catholic New World,” Chicago’s Archdiocesan newspaper. She is currently writing and producing a documentary on the life of Blessed James Alberione. (MediaApostle.com.) Sister Burns has been giving media workshops to youth and adults all over the U.S. and Canada since the 90’s, and believes that media can be a primary tool for sharing God’s love and salvation.
Fr. Dominic Delay, OP – Writer/Director, Mud Puddle Films
Fr. Dominic DeLay is Founder and President of Mud Puddle Films, which creates “contemplative cinema that opens minds to mystery, hearts to hope.” His most recent film is Inside Darkness, a thriller about three presidential candidates trapped in a dark cell. His DVD of award-winning short films is popular with discussion groups. His current project is Zola Jumped In, about a 15-year-old girl who, when the little brother she raised is killed, turns to a gang, a neighborhood church, and pregnancy for a sense of belonging and purpose. Father Dominic’s MFA in film production is from Chapman University in Orange County. He received his B.A. in music from Occidental College in Los Angeles, his Master of Divinity and M.A. in Theology and the Arts from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He is a Dominican friar living in Los Angeles, where he belongs to Film Independent and Filmmakers Alliance.
Dan DeMatte – Youth Minister, Star of the TV Mini-Series “God or the Girl”
Dan DeMatte starred in A&E’s television show God or the Girl in 2006 about four young men discerning a call to the priesthood, or for Mr. DeMatte, married life. Now a youth minister and motivational speaker, he also serves as program director for the Catholic Youth Summer Camp near Columbus, OH. CYSC is a high adventure camp that also provides Catholic instruction and inspiration for youth. Mr. DeMatte is now married and a father of two.
Fred Fosnacht – CEO of MyCatholicVoice
Fred Fosnacht directs MyCatholicVoice, a dynamic online community interested in exploring the rich tradition of the Catholic Faith. He has 20 years of extensive business, technology and executive experience as a retired Partner in the Communications and High Tech Market Unit of Accenture. Mr. Fosnacht was responsible for several of the firm’s largest clients and leading implementation teams on some of the largest and most technically complex system implementations performed by Accenture. He has a degree in Theology from Loyola University, and is pursuing graduate studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola. He is a member of the Catholic Charities advisory board and sits on the finance council of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. His hobbies include playing guitar, recreational hiking and skiing, and dog training. He, his wife of 26 years, Mary Kay, son Andy and daughter Christine, reside in Overland Park, Kansas.
Jason Jones – American Film Producer and International Humanitarian Advocate
Jason S. Jones is the President and Founder of Whole Life America, a non-profit organization that promotes the dignity of the human person regardless of ability, age, status, race or geography. He has been very active in politics and the media throughout his career. In his progression from soldier to student activist, to staffer, to department director, to personality, to producer and finally to Founder of Whole Life America, he has maintained a laser focus on defending the value of human life. Mr. Jones’ most recent contribution to furthering a culture of life has been as a Hollywood producer. He has produced several documentaries, including serving as associate producer of Dead in the Water, which aired nationally in the fall of 2007 on EWTN. Mr. Jones was also the co-executive producer of the feature film Bella, winner of the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award. As a radio and television commentator, Jones has been frequently invited to go toe to toe with leaders and celebrities like former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders, Alan Colmes, Monty Python’s Eric Idol and the Secretary General of International Planned Parenthood. His appearances on local, nationally syndicated & international radio and television programs include ABC’s Politically Incorrect and numerous talk shows and news programs. Mr. Jones acquired his experience in media by running political campaigns at the local, state and national level. His work in the pro-life movement began while he was attending the University of Hawaii, one of the nation’s most liberal colleges, where he formed the Pro-Life Student Union.
Rob Kaczmark – Partner and Production Manager of Spirit Juice Studios
Rob Kaczmark has been involved with Catholic ministry for over 10 years, while simultaneously working in the secular film and music scene. In 2005, Mr. Kaczmark co-founded Spirit Juice Studios with Bernie Czerwinski in order to help push Catholic media projects to higher levels of quality. With his educational background in business and marketing, Rob seeks to bring Spirit Juice Studios to the forefront of Catholic media.
Matthew Kelly – Author and Founder of DynamicCatholic.com
Born in Sydney, Australia, Matthew Kelly began his work as an inspirational speaker and author in 1993 at the age of 19. Since then, over two million people from around the world have attended his talks, seminars, and retreats. Against the backdrop of his travel to fifty countries, millions more have been touched by his writings and presence on radio and television programs. His books include Why Am I Here?, The Seven Levels of Intimacy, Rediscovering Catholicism and Becoming the Best Version of Yourself.
Steve McEveety – Executive Producer/Producer for The Passion of the Christ
Steve McEveety has Executive Producer and Producer credits for a number of the world’s most celebrated films, including THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, BRAVEHEART, WE WERE SOLDIERS, The Stoning of Soraya M. and others. He has over 25 years experience as a studio executive with ICON and other production companies. His film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST was the most profitable film of 2004 and one of the most profitable films of all time. Mr. McEveety is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University.
Michael McNaught – Program Director of the LA Religious Education Congress Film Showcase
An alumnus of Loyola Marymount, Michael McNaught currently serves as Interim Director of the Center (Director Robert Hurteau is on sabbatical until January 2012). Mr. McNaught’s field of interest is interdisciplinary theology, specifically with cinema and the sciences. He is the current Program Director of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Film Showcase. Prior to the Center, Mr. McNaught was a member of the university office for liturgy and music. He has worked in production and research at Disney, ABC Television and Scholastic.
Derek Natzke – Video Producer for Life Teen, Inc.
Derek Natzke is Video Producer for Life Teen. He first discovered Life Teen as a non-Catholic junior in high school. Since his baptism his senior year, Mr. Natzke has let God control his life. When he isn’t producing videos for Life Teen, he spends time with his children and his wife who is expecting the couple’s fifth child.
Fr. Robert P. Reed – President of The CatholicTV Network
Fr. Robert Reed is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and the President of The CatholicTV® Network. He oversees the production, acquisition and broadcast of increasingly-diverse and high-quality Catholic programs from across the nation and internationally on cable, IPTV and CatholicTV.com. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Father Reed is also host of the game show WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge; the reality series House+Home; he prays The Rosary with the television audience three times daily from various locations around the world; co-hosts the network’s signature talk show, This is the Day; and celebrates Daily Mass many times throughout the month. Father Reed also provides commentary for various national and international events from installations, ordinations and papal liturgies.
Dr. Brian Reynolds, Ed.D. – President of Catholic Youth Foundation USA
Dr. Brian Reynolds is the Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer of the Archdiocese of Louisville. He’s also President of the Catholic Youth Foundation USA, which serves the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to help promote effective and innovative youth ministry.
Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB – CEO of Salt and Light TV
Fr. Thomas Rosica is a priest of the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers). He was born in 1959 in Rochester, New York. Father Rosica was ordained a priest in the Congregation of St. Basil in 1986 in Rochester. He holds advanced degrees in Theology and Sacred Scripture from Regis College in the Toronto School of Theology [1985], the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome [1991] and the École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem [1994]. Father Rosica has lectured in Sacred Scripture at Canadian universities in Toronto, Windsor and London since 1990. From 1994-2000 he served as Executive Director of the Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto. He has been involved in Jewish-Christian and Interfaith Dialogue at the national and international levels since 1994. In June 1999, he was appointed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as the Chief Executive Officer and National Director of the World Youth Day and the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II, that took place in Toronto during July, 2002. As of July 1, 2003, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Salt and Light Television, Canada’s first national Catholic Television Network. In October 2008, he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the English-speaking Media Attaché of the Vatican Synod of Bishops on ‘The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church.’ In February 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican.
Brian Singer-Towns – President, St. Mary’s Press
Brian Singer-Towns is a published Author and an Editor of young adult [religious] books and teacher guides. Some of the published credits of Mr. Singer-Towns include The Bible: Power and Promise, The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Biblical Literacy Made Easy, and The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s Mission of Salvation. He is also the general editor of The Catholic Youth Bible and Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics.
Greg Willits – Co-Host of Sirius XM’s The Catholics Next Door
Greg Willits and his wife, Jennifer, are Creators of the award-winning Rosary Army Catholic podcast, the mega-popular That Catholic Show video series and The Catholics Next Door radio program found on Sirius Satellite Channel 159 and XM Satellite Channel 117. Prior to joining Sirius Radio’s The Catholic Channel, they served as Officers of the Star Quest Production Network. In 2007, Mr. Willits and his wife were named by the Franciscan University of Steubenville as two of seven leaders in Catholic New Media. Bringing a unique mix of real life and the Catholic faith while rearing four sons and one daughter, the couple’s look at the world covers the gamut of family living, from kids to comic books and from fast food to noisy neighbors, with regular attempts at living out their faith on a daily basis thrown in for good measure.
Fr. Don Woznicki – Founder/Director of New Ethos
In addition to parish ministry in Lake Forest, IL, Fr. Don Woznicki is a part-time Chaplain to Act One, Inc: Writing and Executive Programs (Hollywood, CA). He is also Project Leader for The Hollywood Project, which seeks to bring the Church and the Entertainment Industry together in a collaborative effort for more truth, beauty, and goodness in culture. He is also the Founder/Director of New Ethos, which supports the entertainment industry in conveying stories that reflect the challenges and struggles of humanity in all its diversity. New Ethos recognizes and applauds great storytelling in all entertainment formats (film, television, videogames, music, fashion) through a Branding mark.
Judging Panel—Second Tier
Michael Amodei, Executive Editor of Adolescent Catechesis, Ave Maria Press
Barb Bakotich, Youth Minister at St. John Vianney, Shelby Township, MI
Sara Blaser, Youth Minister at St. Mary Church, Sycamore, IL
John Brockmeier, Youth Minister at Holy Spirit/Holy Trinity, Louisville, KY
Linda Bugos-Noble, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Our Lady of Humility Church, Beach Park, IL
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Catholic author and journalist
Rich Curran, Director of Youth Ministry, St. Raphael Church, Oshkosh, WI
Jim Dillenberg, Producer, Silver Fox Video, Batavia, IL
Warren Dugen, Office of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Prince Albert
David Dziena, Acquisition Editor for Our Sunday Visitor
Deacon Bill Drobick, Director of Religious Education, Holy Spirit Church, Freemont, CA
Cory Heimann, President of Likeable Art
Jeff Jenkins, Director of Saint Meinrad’s Mader Learning Center in Indiana
Dr. Jamie Kauffman, Professor of Communications, University of Indiana Southeast
D. Scott Miller, Coordinator of Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Baltimore
David Pace, Creative Director for the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Dorothy Polchinski, Director of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Stewart Redwine, President of 36 Parables
Becky Revak, Youth Minister at St. Joseph Church in Sandpoint, ID
Sharon Schuhmann, Director of Pro-Life Ministry, Archdiocese of Louisville
Beth Simmonds, Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Christopher Church in Columbus, OH
John Smestad Jr., Director of Youth and Young Adults, Metairie, LA
Sal Solo, President of ACTS Evangelization & Worship
Peggy Stanton, Broadcast journalist
Fr. Dan Whelan, Archdiocese of Louisville
Jerry White, Director of Youth & Young Adults for the Diocese of Charleston
Mike Zak, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Patrick Church, St. Charles, IL
