Spiritual Cinema Circle
Frequently Asked Questions
Each month you will receive four films: generally a mixture of full-length feature films, short films and documentaries. These movies are delivered on a DVD and are carefully chosen by Stephen Simon and our acquisitions team. As a member of the Circle, you will also receive a monthly newsletter with film images, descriptions, filmmaker interviews and reflection questions for you to ponder.
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Can I get my movies on VHS Cassettes rather than on DVD?
The Circle uses DVDs exclusively because the picture is better. The quality is practically flawless compared to the grainier VHS option. In addition, DVDs are more environmentally friendly and are less expensive to ship. Additionally, DVDs can be played on a variety of devices. Over the past few years, the cost of DVD players has dropped dramatically. You can now purchase a good quality DVD player for under $100.
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Are the movies I receive feature-length? Shorts? Documentaries?
All of the above. We promise to deliver you the best of Spiritual Cinema. This will come in the form of four films each month, generally consisting of a feature and a selection of shorts and documentaries.
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Can I give input into the kinds of movies I like?
Yes. In order to provide you with the best movies, we need to know what you like! For this reason, we ask our members to visit our "Rate Movies" page every month within the Members area of the website to give us feedback.
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Can I pick the movies I want each month?
We have a professional acquisitions team that hand selects the films each month for you. They watch thousands of films and select only the very best for you. In addition, we feel a sense of community develops when we all watch the same films each month. Our members-only website will allow you to talk with members and filmmakers around the world about Spiritual Cinema and your monthly film selections.
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How much does it cost to join Spiritual Cinema Circle?
As a new member, you can sign up for a one-month free trial and you only pay shipping. After your first month, you'll continue to receive great movies for just $21 a month plus shipping ($4.95 domestic or $7.95 international). If you are unsatisfied, you may cancel at any time and for any reason, but the films you have received up to that point are yours to keep.
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What is the difference between being a member and an affiliate?
As a member of The Spiritual Cinema Circle, you pay $21 a month plus shipping to receive 4 inspirational and uplifting movies every month.
As an affiliate of The Spiritual Cinema Circle, you earn commissions by referring new members to Spiritual Cinema Circle. Learn more here.
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Some of the best films made every year are never seen. That’s because independent filmmakers may have a difficult time securing a national distribution deal when they are relatively new and unknown. Spiritual Cinema Circle gladly steps in as one of the only major distributors of spiritual cinema around the world. We are happy to support independent filmmakers interested in art that uplifts and inspires. When you join as a member, a portion of your monthly membership goes to support these filmmakers.
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Are the movies suitable for children?
While Spiritual Cinema Circle films are intended for adults, many of them are family friendly and can be enjoyed with your loved ones. Some of our films may contain mild language or mature content that is not recommended for children. A monthly print newsletter included with each DVD will generally denote if a film requires parental guidance.
If you’re looking for spiritual film for children, consider our award-winning Kids Cinema Circle Collection. This DVD contains five films suitable for children of all ages. These uplifting and inspiring films highlight important virtues such as courage, confidence, kindness, love, generosity and so much more.
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Why couldn’t I just rent these at the video store?
While you may find an occasional uplifting film at the video store, many Spiritual Cinema Circle films have never been seen outside of film festivals! You’ll receive exclusive films with extraordinary messages. In addition, the video store does not contain the variety of international films that Spiritual Cinema Circle does. We hand select our films not only from the United States, but from many other countries around the world. You’ll be exposed to the brightest independent filmmakers around the globe. Some of our most recent short films originate from Italy, Ireland, England, Lebanon, Mexico, India, and more. There are independent filmmakers everywhere waiting to share their uplifting messages with you.
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Does Stephen Simon actually help choose the movies? Can I choose the movies I receive?
Yes, Stephen helps choose every movie! When he co-founded The Circle, his mission was to share spiritual cinema with the world…and it still is today. Our acquisitions team carefully reviews each potential film with Stephen, and together, they discuss which films best represent the content you’d like to see. You’ll have the chance to rate the movies on our members site to let us know your thoughts on each film. We take these ratings to heart. We want to learn what moves you, and what you’d like to see more of.
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Is there a minimum number of DVDs I have to buy like a club?
No, there is no minimum number of DVDs you must purchase. We’re so sure you’ll love Spiritual Cinema Circle that we’ll provide you a FREE 30-day trial. If you aren’t completely satisfied, you may cancel at any time and for any reason.
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Are the packages made from plastic?
Spiritual Cinema Circle’s monthly DVDs arrive at your home in 100% recycled packaging. You can feel good about your membership because it doesn’t impact the environment with harmful plastics or other non-biodegradable materials used elsewhere.
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How do I know which films I will receive?
Our monthly film offerings are advertised on our website. Please note that we update our monthly film offerings on the 15th of each month. Visit the "Our Films" tab to learn more about our current films and to see a preview trailer.
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What is the best way to resolve an issue I am having?
Please contact Customer Service as soon as possible by phone or email provided at the top of this page. This includes reporting a late or missing shipment, receiving the wrong or duplicate volume, a defective DVD, or if you have any questions about billing, for example. It will expedite matters if you include the name and address on the account, or the email address with which you subscribed to the program.
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When you sign up you will receive your first DVD within 7 to 10 business days; 10 to 14 business days for International.
Subsequent shipments will be grouped together with all members to ship the first part of each month in an attempt to get members their volumes at the same time. This is to encourage and facilitate community chats in the member’s forum.
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Will your DVDs play on any DVD player, including a computer?
Spiritual Cinema Circle has many international subscribers and we want you to know our DVDs are region or code-free. If you are located outside of the United States, you may need to check your DVD player to determine if it is able to play region-free DVDs. Our DVDs will play on almost any DVD player or computer. For computer viewing, we recommend the software Real Player, available at www.real.com. It can be downloaded for free on a computer with Internet access.
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Do your films include Closed Captioning?
Since 2007, all of our films have been either closed captioned or subtitled in English. Closed captioning is accessible through your television set or television remote control. Subtitles are easily accessible through our DVD menus, which do not require you to do any special programming with regard to your television. Beginning in May, 2008, we will offer subtitles only; the close caption option is being discontinued.
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Can we order volumes that were issued prior to my becoming a member?
Active subscribers may purchase past volumes, assuming they are available for sale. Availability depends on our contract with each filmmaker, rather than inventory levels. Some contracts allow us permission to sell volumes during the issue month only, while others allow us permission to sell volumes at any time. Presently, you may check with Customer Service to see if a particular title is available for sale and also to place your order. Please contact Customer Service for more information by phone or email provided at the top of this page.
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Why isn't an advertised film title on the DVD that I received?
We typically offer all of our members the same four films each month. Occasionally, our contractual agreements with each filmmaker require us to distribute a domestic feature film and a different international feature film. Any time we advertise our films of the month, we denote which are domestic-only with “(D)” and which are international-only with “(I)”, and “(W)” for Worldwide.
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How can I easily remove the DVD from the eco-friendly case?
Pressing on the center does not release the DVD like the plastic ones do. Try lifting the DVD from the case corners one at a time; one of the corners will release much easier than the others.
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Tech FAQ: Why can't I log into the members website?
Please make sure you have the most up-to-date password by clicking on the Forgot Password link from the Member Log In tab. Your email address is your user name. Be sure to enter it without capital letters and without any unnecessary spaces at the end. Enter your password exactly as it appears in the confirmation email you received. Your password is case sensitive so it must be entered exactly as you see it and without any unnecessary spaces at the end. If you are unsuccessful, please contact Customer Service preferably by email at info@SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and tell them you have tried these suggestions and still can't log on. We will research the issue and notify you when it is resolved.
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Tech FAQ: Can I change my mailing address or credit card number online?
At this time, you can only change your information by contacting Customer Service. We recommend using the phone or fax to update credit card information. See top of page for contact information.
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Tech FAQ: How do I change my email address?
Please contact Customer Service, preferably by email, and they will change your email address. See top of page for contact information. Please include your “old” email address and your “new” email address. You will receive a confirmation email within two weeks.
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Tech FAQ: How do I change my profile alias?
Log into the members website at Members.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and click the Profile tab at the top. Simply put a different name in the Forum Alias box. We recommend that you do not use your email address because this will appear on your forum postings.
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Tech FAQ: How do I change my password?
Log into the members website at Members.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and click the Profile tab at the top. Click on the link to the right entitled Change Your Password.
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Tech FAQ: How can I rate films easily?
Log into the members website at Members.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and click on "Rate Films" tab at the top. There are several links to navigate to the films you want to rate. Click on a film title and click on the number of stars you want to give it. Enter your comments, if desired, and hit the "Submit" button. Hit the “back” button which will return to the beginning of the area you chose. When you are in “All Films” click the “Next” button to get to the next page of films when you are done with that page. Note: you can avoid using the “back” button by right-clicking on the film you want to rate and choose “open in a new window”. After you have rated the film and submitted your review, if desired, close that window. You will then be back at the previous window, exactly at the place you left.
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Tech FAQ: How do I add a picture to my profile in the members-only website?
Log into the members website at Members.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and click on the Profile tab at the top. Click the Browse button located in the middle of the page to find a picture on your computer. Choose the photo file on your computer you would like to upload to your profile. Image files must be under 100k and no larger than 200 pixels x 200 pixels. It is best to edit the size of your photo file and store it in an easily accessible location on your computer before trying to attach it to your SCC member profile. Please Note: Photos and images that contain nudity, violence, offensive material or copyrighted images will be removed.
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Tech FAQ: How do I add or edit my signature that appears at the end of my forum postings?
Log into the members website at Members.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com and click on the Profile tab at the top. Scroll down the page to the Signature block. Simply type any message you like in the box. It will appear at the end of each of your postings. Your name, nickname, or favorite inspirational saying is just a suggestion for this area. We recommend that you do not include personal contact information here. You can leave this area blank and type a signature at the end of your posting each time if you prefer. Click the Hide Signatures box below the Signature block if you prefer this to not be visible on your postings.
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