Hope Channel International’s The Hopeful is breaking new ground in faith-based media, earning recognition with prestigious award nominations that highlight its excellence as both a cinematic achievement and a tool for evangelism.

Recently, The Hopeful was nominated for three ICVM Crown Awards – Best Evangelistic Film, Best Soundtrack, and Best Editor – honoring its power to inspire audiences and share the gospel. The Crown Awards, the pinnacle of Christian media recognition, will announce winners during the NRB Christian Media Convention in February, where industry leaders gather to celebrate storytelling excellence.

The film also received international acclaim as a nominee for Best Direction of a Feature Film at the Australian Directors Guild Awards, placing it alongside major productions like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” This milestone underscores The Hopeful’s ability to reach both faith-based and secular audiences, further advancing Hope Channel’s vision to bring the message of eternal hope to 1 billion people by 2030.

Kevin Christenson, director of Hope Studios and executive producer of The Hopeful, said, “In a post-modern, secular society often resistant to overt preaching, excellence in storytelling and recognition in the public sphere opens doors for deeper conversations. By raising the quality standards of our media to a level that resonates with the very people we are called to reach – as evidenced by the recognition ‘The Hopeful’ has received in spaces where the bar for quality is set exceptionally high – we earn the right to be heard and inspire audiences to explore the eternal hope we represent."

A Film With Global Impact

Since its release in April 2024, where it debuted in 900 theaters across the United States and ranked in the top 10 at the box office over two days, The Hopeful has reached audiences far and wide. Few Christian films achieve such global distribution, a success made possible by the collaboration between Hope Channel International and worldwide divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In the South Pacific Division, the film was the centerpiece of an all-member evangelistic campaign, achieving notable results. It premiered at No. 2 among new releases in New Zealand and No. 5 in Australia, with screenings extended for seven weeks due to high demand. Approximately 60% of ticket sales were purchased by individuals outside the Adventist Church or connected through adjacent networks, showing the film’s ability to engage both Adventist and non-Adventist audiences alike.

“These nominations and the film’s international success speak to how God is advancing His mission through the power of media and how Hope Channel has transformed into a comprehensive media ministry,” said Vyacheslav Demyan, president of Hope Channel International. “Hope Channel is more than TV. The majority of the 84 channels in our network are digital, and now, we boldly enter the space of films and cinema evangelism.”

Share “The Hopeful” This Holiday Season

This holiday season, Hope Channel encourages individuals and communities to share the story of Jesus through screenings of The Hopeful at local churches. Recognized as an award-nominated film, it serves as both an inspiring narrative and a valuable outreach tool.

Various supplementary resources are available to enhance the film's impact. The book Hope is on the Way can be purchased in hard copy and e-reader formats on Amazon, while Steps to Christ: The Hopeful Edition is sold through AdventSource. The film's soundtrack can be streamed on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, and an interactive Bible study guide is offered on Hope.Study to assist viewers in further exploring their faith. 

About Hope Studios

Hope Studios, the cinematic arm of Hope Channel International, crafts and shares stories across the globe through our footprint in over one hundred countries. With content rooted in faith and values, its mission transcends entertainment. Hope Studios strives to inspire positive change through the universal language of storytelling.

About Hope Channel International

Hope Channel International is a Seventh-day Adventist global media evangelism network that connects every heart globally with eternal hope through media that inspires. Hope Channel produces and distributes content in 100+ languages in more than 80 countries around the world, with each locally operated channel creating tailored messages to meet the spiritual needs of their communities.

This article was provided by Hope Channel International.