Stephen Simon is a veteran producer whose distinguished career includes the Presidency of two major production companies and the development and production of a myriad of well-known films such as: "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Electric Horseman," "Somewhere in Time," the Academy Award winning "What Dreams May Come", and the Emmy-nominated Lifetime movie "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story." He is also author of the definitive work "The Force is With You: Mystical Movie Messages that Inspire Our Lives," published by Walsch Books, an imprint of Hampton Roads. Simon is also co-founder of The Spiritual Cinema Circle.
Recognizing the powerful effect - both positive and negative - that the media has upon our culture, Simon has become the leading spokesperson for a new genre he has coined as "Spiritual Cinema." Spiritual Cinema examines who we are and why we are here and illuminates the human condition through stories and images that inspire us to explore that what we can be as a humanity when we operate at our very best. Spiritual Cinema reflects our beliefs and values and illustrates their impact upon our lives and our society. In this context, spiritual refers not to religion but to the unseen divine essence that is life force itself. History has revealed that individuals or cultures that lose their connection to this essence become devoid of love, respect and compassion.
To firmly establish Spiritual Cinema as a formidable force within the entertainment industry, Simon recently produced and directed the feature film "Indigo," which won the Coveted Audience Choice Award in its debut at the December, 2003 Santa Fe Film Festival and which is set for release in 2005. While "Indigo" embraces the values and principles of Spiritual Cinema, the financing and production of this film is a truly miraculous story of faith and vision. Collaborating with author and noted peace emissary James Twyman, whose "Beloved Community" helped to finance the production; and Neale Donald Walsch, author of the "Conversations With God" series, who co-wrote the screenplay and starred in the film; Simon firmly stakes his claim as a trailblazer in the annals of motion picture history.
Stephen cofounded The Spiritual Cinema Circle, www.spiritualcinemacircle.com which has become a worldwide phenomenon since its launch on April 1, 2004. The Circle distributes 3-5 DVDS per month of Spiritual Cinema to a worldwide audience in over 60 countries and has recently been featured in major publications such as Newsweek and Entertainment Weekly. The Circle is the first distribution company exclusively dedicated to Spiritual Cinema.
An explosive grass roots movement called "Spiritual Cinema Communities," which is evolving as a result of Simon's seminars and courses, has contributed to the word-of mouth promotion of spiritual films. Numerous invitations to screen "Indigo" at prestigious film festivals serve as a clear demonstration of support for his sacred vision. Simon is again collaborating with Neale Donald Walsch in the development and production of the motion picture "Conversations With God," based on Neale's book and starring, Neale, as himself. The film is slated for production in late 2005.
As a speaker and presenter, Simon is challenging and provocative as he shares insights gained through his experiences as a filmmaker, storyteller and student of the paradoxes of the human condition. Media and entertainment have moved beyond culture to become a driving force in the global economy. With anecdotes from his prolific career in the entertainment industry, he illustrates the impact of environments and experiences that ignite passion and inspire genius. Media and business represent an important connection for humans, making us feel a part of something larger than ourselves. With integrity and authenticity, both can contribute to the enrichment of the spirit.
Stephen Simon is co-founder and president of "Moving Messages: The Institute for Spiritual Entertainment, Inc." an educational, development and distribution non-profit corporation for feature films, television shows, documentary, educational and training programs. Its mission is to use traditional and new media to express ideas that illumine and inspire individual and social transformation. With a focus on spirituality and film, he teaches several seminars and writes a nationally syndicated column called "The Movie Mystic. He is a graduate of UCLA and Loyola Law School and was admitted to the California Bar in 1974. He practiced law from 1974 to 1976.
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