22 October 2024| Silver Spring, USA [Adventist Review]
Hope Channel International (HCI) has announced that The Hopeful, a powerful new film, is now available for global on-demand streaming through Wonder Events starting today, 22 October. Originally produced in English, the film will soon offer closed captions in additional languages, beginning with Spanish, Portuguese, and French, with more to follow in the coming months. This release aims to share a message of hope and healing, providing viewers with a meaningful opportunity to engage and spread the story of the Advent hope.
The Hopeful is a riveting historical drama that follows the journey of William Miller, a simple farmer turned influential preacher, whose predictions about Christ’s return led to the emergence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Kyle Portbury, the film explores themes of faith, perseverance, and the power of community in the face of disappointment.
Portbury described the film as “an inspirational story of courage, love, and hope for the future,” adding, “You are going to be surprised and swept away by this story of people who dared to risk it all. May their bravery inspire us in our own mission.”
The Birth of a Global Faith Movement
October 22 holds deep significance in the story of The Hopeful, as it marks the anniversary of William Miller’s predicted date for Christ’s return. Although the prediction did not come to pass, the resulting disappointment gave rise to hope, eventually leading to the formation of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church. The film captures the profound events that followed this pivotal moment. In recognition of this historic occasion, Hope Studios chose to release the film globally on 22 October, paying tribute to the enduring impact of this faith journey.
Kevin Christenson, director of Hope Studios and executive producer of The Hopeful, said, “This film has impacted tens of thousands since its release in North America and the South Pacific, sharing the good news of the Advent hope with many who might not enter a church, watch a sermon, or read a book. We are eager to see what God will do with it as it opens to everyone around the world.”
A Milestone in Our Mission
Vyacheslav Demyan, president of Hope Channel International, stated, “The global release of The Hopeful marks a significant milestone in our mission to share hope with the world. By utilising our AI-powered translation technology, we are making this inspiring story accessible to more people, in more languages, than ever before. This effort aligns with our 2030 vision of reaching 1 billion people with the message of eternal hope, and we invite everyone to help spread this powerful message within their communities and beyond.”
Pastors and individual church members can use discounted viewing code bundles as an evangelism tool to gift a rental to friends, neighbors, and co-workers, while churches can host screenings through Wonder Events to fundraise for initiatives such as Pathfinders and mission trips.
The release of The Hopeful film is also supported by various additional resources to enhance the viewing experience and engagement. The book The Hopeful: Hope Is on the Way is available in hard copy and e-reader on Amazon, and the Steps to Christ: The Hopeful Edition devotional book is available at AdventSource. The film’s music can be found on Apple Music and Spotify, and an interactive Bible study is available on Hope.Study.
About Hope Studios:
Hope Studios, the cinematic division of HCI, creates and shares impactful stories across a network spanning more than 100 countries. With content rooted in faith and values, its mission goes beyond entertainment, aiming to inspire positive change through the universal power of storytelling.
About Hope Channel International:
HCI s a global media evangelism network affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, dedicated to connecting hearts worldwide with the message of eternal hope through inspiring media. HCI produces and distributes content in over 100 languages across more than 80 countries, with each locally operated channel tailoring its messages to address the specific spiritual needs of its community.
[Photos are supplied courtesy of The Hopeful resources page].
This original version of this story first appeared on the Adventist Review website.
