KICFF moving at god’s speed

Following what he believed was "a mighty nudge from God," Rob Ekno, a multi-award-winning screenwriter, author, and broadcaster, who called Hollywood, CA home for three decades, founded KICFF.  Ekno has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1995, and most recently was a member of the 30th Annual SAG Awards Motion Picture Nominating Committee. He has also performed in various faith-based films starring talents such as Dean Cain and Eddie McClintock.

Ekno, and his writing partners, Sarah Irvine and John Lynch, were honored with BEST WRITER and BEST SCREENPLAY for their faith-based script, “Cruising Toward Heaven,” at the 2024 Christian Film Festival in Newport News, VA.  The script was 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.

"Cruising Toward Heaven…Navigating From Rough Seas To Miraculous Adventures,” Ekno’s third book, won the Gold Medal at the 2024 International Impact Book Awards in Phoenix, AZ in the “Addiction & Recovery” category.  That memoir was the inspiration for the faith-based script "Beyond Addicted,” which Ekno co-wrote with Irvine. The script received BEST SCRIPT recognition at the 2024 Christian Film Festival. Ekno’s acceptance speech at the festival earned him distinction for BEST MESSAGE.

“Stepping Into Glory,” the third faith-based script written by Ekno & Irvine, which was inspired by Rob's Gold Medal-winning book, “Cruising Toward Heaven…A Spiritual Odyssey Into Life-Saving Rescues,” was named a Quarter-Finalist in the 2024 Faith in Film International Film Festival in Tucson, AZ. 

In 2023, Ekno was awarded “Most Dedicated Speaker Of The Year,” by Thought-Leader, after a nationwide competition. Rob’s speech, “The Book You’re Dying NOT To Write,” is also the title of his current book, as well as the name of an inspirational documentary that is in pre-production.

Ekno has been blessed to experience numerous accolades during his lengthy broadcasting career which includes an award from the Associated Press for turning an antiquated newsroom into a prominent news outlet. Rob received another AP award for his diligent work as a reporter.  Ekno was also a regional reporter for the CBS Radio Network and the Associated Press Radio Network.  Additionally,  he served as the executive producer and weekend host of the nationally syndicated “The Sports Final,” broadcasting from Boston. Rob also held the positions of Public/Media Relations Director for two professional sports teams.

Not long after arriving in Hollywood, Ekno began what became a nearly 15-year venture of producing and hosting live TV programs that aired across America; some globally.  During that time, Rob served as the executive producer at two TV shopping networks.  He was also seen weekly for four seasons on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio.  Ekno was the only actor in addition to the regular cast to have a part on Phil Hartman’s last show. Rob highlights his inspiring relationship with Phil in a chapter in his third book.

When it came time for Ekno to elevate his relationship with God, he used his spirited voice to host the faith-based podcast “In Your Face,” which aired weekdays for nearly four years on the award-winning Indie 104.com. The theme of the hour long podcast, which Ekno executive produced, was “to inspire, motivate, and challenge each of us to become the best we can be for ourselves, our country, and most importantly…God.”  Rob interviewed Hollywood celebrities, movie producers, and guests across the country who shared incredible stories of faith, survival, and life-changing transformations. Two-hundred-sixty-nine episodes of “In Your Face” are available on iHeart and Apple podcasts.

After a personal life-changing event, starting in the spring of 2014, Ekno found himself spending time between Hollywood's bright lights and Southeast Alaska's impeccable landscape, wondering what plans God had for his future. Once intimately having experienced Alaskas picturesque scenery and amazing wildlife, Rob quickly realized that the Lord was providing him the opportunity to truly build a deep and powerful bond with Him.  Taking full advantage of this blessing, Ekno spent countless hours over the next ten years exploring unique and extraordinary areas of Alaska, encountering God’s greatness in new and remarkable ways. This led Rob to write his fourth book, a Gold Medal winner, about his ever-evolving relationship with his Creator.

In early 2024, feeling an extremely robust calling from God to make another dramatic change in his life, Ekno left Tinsel Town’s neon lights and eventually landed in "God’s Country" in East Tennessee.  Soon after, while attending an out-of-state Red Carpet event, someone that Rob had just met, emphatically told him that he needed to immediately return to Knoxville and open yet another avenue for creative Christians to showcase their works.  Realizing the “improbable coincidence” of receiving that compelling message, Ekno quickly went into action as he began recollecting his life’s path and how, unknowingly to him, God had long been preparing him for this moment.

Ironically, only a week earlier, Ekno had asked a trusted friend why she thought that God had asked him to leave Hollywood for Knoxville.  Her answer, “I believe that God is going to elevate you to new heights as a man that He’s never taken you before."

Having had a quick flashback of his prior experiences, Ekno realized that it was no mistake that God had asked that “stranger” to deliver the news of his next assignment.  So, with the Good Lord leading the way, along with the help of some tremendously talented and faithful colleagues, the 2024 Inaugural Knoxville International Christian Film Festival became a reality, with winners notifed on December 1, 2024. God has already shown that He’s opening BIG doors for Season 2 beginning February 1, 2025.