New Independent Film Initiative Will Recognize Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar with its Annual "Champions Award"

WACO, Texas - March 24, 2022 - PRLog -- The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival announces today that it will honor Disney+'s creators of "The Proud Family," Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar, with its annual "Champions Award" at the 2023 event. With its mission of being "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all," every year, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival recognizes its Class of "Champions Award" recipients, who are examples of innovators and good disruptors in the film, TV, media, performing arts, music, and the entertainment industries.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Bruce and Ralph at our 2023 film festival. Both are Hollywood trailblazers and 'The Proud Family' is an outstanding and groundbreaking animated television series and more," states Dr. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Founder and Lead Producer of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. "Next year, we truly look forward to celebrating the career achievements of Bruce and Ralph as well as sharing 'The Proud Family' series and movie with our film festival community in Central Texas and beyond."

Multiple award-winning animation artist, Bruce W. Smith, is creator and executive producer of Disney+'s "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder," the long-anticipated revival of the animated series, "The Proud Family." An accomplished director, producer, and animator, Mr. Smith has been part of the animation industry for over three decades. During his tenure at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Mr. Smith supervised animation on many animated feature films including "The Princess and the Frog," "Winnie the Pooh," "Tarzan," and "The Emperor's New Groove." His gift for unique character design led him into visual development for the Studio's other projects such as "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Frozen."

Ralph Farquhar is executive producer of Disney+'s "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder," the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series, "The Proud Family." Mr. Farquhar began his career writing for the classic ABC series, "Happy Days." After which, he quickly advanced into the producing ranks as supervising producer for "Married... with Children" and then moved on to develop, executive produce, and create several award-winning series including "South Central," "Moesha" and "The Parkers," and executive-produced, "Real Husbands of Hollywood," for which he earned an NAACP Image Award. He also wrote the cult classic hip-hop feature film, "Krush Groove."

Past "Champions Award" recipients of the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival include Actor, Kevin Sorbo, who is best known for his role as "Hercules" in the TV series, "Hercules, the Legendary Journeys;" TV personality, Gina Neely, from "Down Home with the Neely's" on the Food Network; Hollywood Executives, Victor Hawks and Courtney Parker; Amazon Prime's "Reacher" star, Malcolm Goodwin; Music Veteran, Vivian Scott Chew, and "Dancing with the Stars" Musical Director, Ray Chew; and Actor, John Schneider, from "The Dukes of Hazzard" and Tyler Perry's "The Haves and Have Nots." The 2023 "Champions Award" reception will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in Waco, Texas.

The dates for the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival are February 2-4, 2023. The sponsors for the 4^th Annual Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival include the festival's Founding Partner, TFNB Bank Your Bank for Life. The 3^rd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic sponsor is Greg May Honda. The H.O.T. Tennis Mixer sponsor is the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Media Partners are KWTX-TV Ch10/CBS, CW12, Telemundo and Prophecy Media Group, which owns radio stations, Power 108 FM, and La Ley 104.1 FM.

For more information on the film festival, visit WacoFilmFest.org.

ABOUT THE WACO FAMILY & FAITH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is presented by the GB Lindsey Family Charitable Fund, which is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that honors the memory of Gloria J. Lindsey. Mrs. Lindsey was an elementary school educator for over 40 years. In her honor, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival passionately supports educational and artistic programs for children and young adults.

The mission for the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is that it is "dedicated to EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all!" Ultimately, the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival works to be able to make a global impact and change the face of storytelling and the storytellers in the film and entertainment industry. It is also the work of this festival to bring people together from all walks of life and serve them with narratives, community performances, educational workshops, and more, that open hearts and minds as well as feeds the soul.

For more information on the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, visit www.WacoFilmFest.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.