New Ethos Film Criteria

Principle Judging Criteria:

The New Ethos film criteria is unique in that it tries not to put the artist "in a box."  New Ethos respects the special dignity of the God given vocation of artists which the late Pope John Paul II wrote in His Letter To Artists (1999), is "alert to every 'epiphany' of the inner beauty of things."  New Ethos understands that for artistic creativity, the artist, in service to beauty, needs to go "beyond what the senses perceive and, reaching beneath reality's surface, strives to interpret its hidden mystery." [Pope John Paul II - Letter To Artists].  Three principle judging criteria are considered:
  1. Diverse genres and maturity levels: The New Ethos branding is not merely "family oriented" genre (G or PG), but also could support genres with mature themes (PG-13 or R).  Pope John Paull II wrote that "even when they explore the darkest depths of the soul or the most unsettling aspects of evil, artists give voice in a way to the universal desire for redemption." [Letter to Artists, N. 10].  Sometimes the artist needs "R-rated themes" to accomplish this. [read more].
  2. Art is greater than the artist: There is a distinction between the moral and aesthetic value of the artist.  New Ethos does not judge a work of art based on the personal moral value of the artist.  An artist need not be a professed Christian, who in actualizing their productive talents, can create a work that exhibits an overarching spirit of truth, beauty, and goodness.  An artists can be a great saint, or a great sinner and in both cases, be in great service to God and humanity when actualizing his talents to unveil the inner beauty of things.
  3. No work of art is perfect: Though New Ethos awards its logo of "Excellence"we recognize that nothing is perfect save our Father in heaven.  Yet, New Ethos encourages the artist to aspire to that quality of perfection to "be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect." [Matt. 5:48].

Primary General Film Criteria:

  • Overarching spirit:  Exhibits truth, beauty, and goodness.
  • Transcendent Value:  Embodies dominant “God Moments” = A strong sense of God communicating His person to humanity through this film.  N.B. - Even if the film may contain some moral elements that are not supported by Catholic faith and morals, film can still be judged worthy.
    • "Kingdom of God is at hand" - It is alive and growing, even among the darkness.
    • "Wheat among weeds"[Mt. 13:24-30].
    • God is acting now as the living God.
  • "Hollywood Standard": The film exhibits an overall production quality.
  • Strength of film‘s message:  Warrants widespread promotion to a Catholic audience.

Other General Considerations:

  • Arouses the noble sentiments and ideals of the consumer experience;
  • Communicates valuable conceptions and contributes to a just social order in the world;
  • The ability to uplift/nourish the human spirit;
  • Content - the honesty, depth and clarity of material presented;
  • Creativity - use of imaginative and innovative approaches and techniques;
  • The emotional and intellectual impact of intended audience;
  • Its effectiveness in achieving its purpose(s).


Particular limits:

  • No entertainment product considered “offensive” will be considered:  Offensive = lowers the moral standard of the consumer, casts discredit upon natural or human law, inflames the passions, or arouses the lower instincts latent in the human heart.  Though New Ethos understands that some films warrant the use of nudity and violence (i.e., Scheindler's List), even profanity and other harsh depictions, New Ethos will not consider films with gratuitous sexuality, language, and violence, and blatant disregard for the dignity of persons.
  • God's name to be respected: Sorry, but even "one" mention of God's name in vain ("GD") will not be considered.  Sometimes just one thing can ruin a whole work of art, and this is one.