Where Faith Inspires Film - and Film Inspires the World

Since opening for submissions on July 2, 2024, the Knoxville International Christian Film Festival (KICFF) has grown into one of the most exciting and welcoming destinations for Christian filmmakers around the world. What began as a vision to celebrate faith-driven storytelling has, by God’s grace, quickly become a thriving international community where filmmakers, screenwriters, and musicians connect, encourage one another, and share projects that inspire audiences with truth, hope, and purpose.

In less than two years, KICFF has hosted three live award showcases in the beautiful backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains—one in partnership with TN FilmCommUNITY and two with RiseUP Tennessee. During these events, KICFF has honored award-winning filmmakers from across the United States, including participants from 27 states, as well as creatives from 14 countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. From California to Connecticut, from Canada to Malta, and from Sweden to Vietnam, the festival has become a gathering place for storytellers whose work reflects excellence and faith.

KICFF’s reach has expanded far beyond the festival stage. Through the support of its flagship television partner, Watchmen Broadcasting WBPI TV49 in North Augusta, South Carolina, and Abundant TV, KICFF launched its award-winning weekly television series, KICFF Presents. Hosted by Executive Director Rob Ekno and supported by an outstanding production team including Monique Cramer, Ava Hawk, Randa Blackley, and David Theberge, the show features award-winning films and music videos, red carpet interviews, post-award conversations, and exclusive discussions with filmmakers from around the world.

KICFF Presents premieres Saturdays at 3:00 PM Eastern on WBPI TV49 and streams worldwide at WBPI.org. The program also airs Thursdays at 8:30 PM Eastern on Abundant TV, with additional broadcasts throughout the week. Past episodes are available on YouTube via KICFF Presents, allowing audiences everywhere to experience the creativity and testimonies of filmmakers whose work is changing lives.

What started as an online-only festival has become something far greater than its founders imagined. The rapid growth of KICFF, the global participation it has attracted, and the relationships that continue to flourish all point to one unmistakable truth: this festival is a God-designed appointment. As KICFF continues to expand, its mission remains steadfast—to honor Jesus Christ by celebrating stories that uplift, inspire, and impact the world for His glory.

The Origin of the KICFF 

Following what he believed was “a mighty nudge from God,” Rob Ekno, a multi-award-winning screenwriter, author, and broadcaster who called Hollywood home for three decades, founded the Knoxville International Christian Film Festival (KICFF). A Screen Actors Guild member since 1995, Ekno served on the 30th Annual SAG Awards Motion Picture Nominating Committee and performed in various faith-based films starring talents such as Dean Cain and Eddie McClintock. Alongside his writing partners Sarah Irvine and John Lynch, Ekno earned Best Writer and Best Screenplay at the 2024 Christian Film Festival in Newport News, VA, for their faith-based script Cruising Toward Heaven, inspired by Rob’s second book, Is It God or Coincidence?…Coming to Grips with the Unexpected Wonders in Life, a finalist in the 2022 Best Book Awards and Audible bestselling audiobook.

Ekno’s third book, Cruising Toward Heaven…Navigating From Rough Seas to Miraculous Adventures, won the Gold Medal in the Addiction & Recovery category at the 2024 International Impact Book Awards in Phoenix, AZ. This memoir inspired the faith-based screenplay Beyond Addicted, co-written with Irvine, which also received Best Script recognition at the 2024 Christian Film Festival, with Ekno honored for Best Message. Their third script, Stepping Into Glory, inspired by Rob’s Gold Medal-winning book, was named a quarterfinalist at the 2024 Faith in Film International Film Festival in Tucson, AZ. In 2023, Rob was recognized as “Most Dedicated Speaker of the Year” by Thought-Leader, and his latest book, The Book You’re Dying NOT to Write, earned him a finalist nomination for 2025 Author of the Year in Personal Development.

Rob’s broadcasting career is equally distinguished, with accolades from the Associated Press for revitalizing a newsroom and for his work as a reporter. He served as a regional reporter for CBS Radio Network and the Associated Press Radio Network, and as executive producer and weekend host of the nationally syndicated The Sports Final in Boston. Ekno also held Public/Media Relations Director roles for two professional sports teams. In Hollywood, he spent nearly 15 years producing and hosting live TV programs aired nationally and internationally, executive producing at two TV shopping networks, and appearing weekly on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, including a role on Phil Hartman’s final show—a relationship Rob details in his third book.

Driven to deepen his relationship with God, Ekno hosted the faith-based podcast In Your Face for nearly four years on Indie 104.com, producing 269 episodes available on iHeart and Apple Podcasts. The show focused on inspiring, motivating, and challenging listeners to achieve their best for themselves, their country, and God, featuring interviews with Hollywood celebrities, producers, and guests sharing stories of faith, survival, and life transformation.

After a life-changing event in 2014, Rob divided his time between Hollywood and Southeast Alaska, discovering the opportunity to deepen his spiritual connection while exploring Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes. This experience inspired his fourth Gold Medal-winning book, chronicling his evolving relationship with God. In early 2024, responding to another profound calling, Rob moved to East Tennessee. At a Red Carpet event shortly thereafter, a stranger urged him to return to Knoxville to create a platform for Christian creatives—an improbable coincidence that affirmed God’s plan. Reflecting on this guidance, Rob realized that his entire journey had prepared him for this moment. With faith, vision, and a team of talented colleagues, the Knoxville International Christian Film Festival was born.