“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu

Happy Holidays from CDI – Film Updates

I’m up on a beautiful Sunday sipping hazelnut coffee and looking at all the joy from Alpena, MI audiences who started watching Wild Faith Christmas yesterday. We had a fun premiere on Thursday with only a last minute time change from the theater being the only small issue. People don’t always realize we don’t control the theaters. We can’t make a theater play us but your voice means dollars to them so they listen. The night before the event was wonderful due to one of our sponsors taking us to a great place for fish. I enjoyed some walleye. Also got to play some old school pinball which was fun. The night of the event was so enjoyable to me. We saw the impact of the film out west with western genre fans we did not know. Thursday we got to share with many of the good folks who helped on the film. From the first laugh to the last joyful tear the audience made my heart soar. The hugs, handshakes and words of endearment reminded me why I do this. It is hard at every phase from funding to final credits where names can be misspelled or accidentally forgotten.

The film will play until the 20th unless they extend it. We will start getting other theatrical dates soon. I will enjoy watching and listening to the audiences where I can. Don’t forget if you want more Emmett, Edmond, Ben, Hester watch the first film they were featured in Wild Faith. Tens of millions have enjoyed the first film and I believe they will love the second one.

If you want more holiday viewing from CDI you can stream Silent Night in Algona, a beautiful based on the true story drama set during WW2. Also CDI did three biblical features Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer. Watch in that order. You will get to see me play a camp commander and Jesus. Harsens Island Revenge while not a holiday film is a great watch and it just went to streaming and dvd.

Post work is underway with Dennis Therrian working on the musical score for our dark comedy Rom Coms Must Die. Also the final edit and special fx on The Secret of the Kingdom Chip are being worked on too. So 2026 will see two more CDI films released and more production is in the planning stages.

This week I have several development projects underway. Our film mentioned above The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is still in talks with a few final funders but I plan to wrap that up by the years end. That will allow me to focus more on new production. So if you want to discuss involvement feel free to reach out. That goes for businesses and products wanting to join our long list of sponsors and product partners.

Wrap up: I’m going to sip some more coffee and maybe unpack my luggage from my trip North. I might do a little yard clean up now since more leaves have fallen. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I have much to be thankful for. I’m thankful to all of you around the globe who stop by to share time. We reflect upon the art of the world that we watch and create. In a time of year that can be stressful give each other grace. We are not perfect and never will be. Remember friendship and family are valuable gifts and health is always wealth. Take care of yourself too which can often be by not stressing the small stuff. I look forward to the next premiere of Wild Faith Christmas. I look forward to some end of year meetings at the office fort sitting by the wood stove and sipping something warm. Until next week be good to one another. Coffee cheers! DJ



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