Hope shines bright in Hollywood as Movieguide® announces nominations for its 32nd Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala, scheduled for February 7, 2025, at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood. The prestigious event will honor films, television programs, and documentaries that promote messages of hope and inspiration, positioning itself as a counterpoint to mainstream entertainment awards that often overlook faith-based content.
Movieguide® celebrates hope-filled entertainment, offering recognition where mainstream awards fall short.
This year’s ceremony carries special significance as it will feature a heartfelt tribute to first responders who heroically served during the recent Los Angeles wildfires, connecting Hollywood glamour with real-world heroism. Viewers nationwide can experience the celebration shortly after the live event when it broadcasts on the Great American Family network, continuing a partnership that has expanded the awards’ reach in recent years.
Movieguide® founder Dr. Ted Baehr emphasized the economic viability of faith-friendly entertainment, noting that nominees like “Inside Out 2,” which grossed an impressive $2 billion globally, demonstrate that spiritual values and commercial success can coexist harmoniously. Among the notable contenders for the Epiphany Prize for Movies are “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” and “Transformers One,” showcasing the diverse range of faith-inspired storytelling. The analysis consistently shows that values-based films deliver stronger box office results than their R-rated counterparts.
“These nominations represent the growing market power of audiences hungry for meaningful, uplifting content,” Baehr stated.
The 2025 nominations arrive during a period of increased demand for morally grounded entertainment, with Christian filmmakers successfully integrating biblical principles into mainstream storytelling. Many faith-based productions are exploring streaming distribution opportunities to reach broader audiences across multiple platforms. Filmmakers are also exploring sync deals with faith-based productions, bringing spiritually enriched content to wider audiences through various media platforms. Movieguide® CEO Robby Baehr highlighted the awards’ timing, remarking, “In challenging societal moments, these stories offer viewers a refuge of peace and comfort while strengthening family bonds.”
Industry observers note that the nominations reflect a significant shift in Hollywood’s approach to faith-based themes. While traditionally relegated to niche markets, spiritually positive films now regularly achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success, challenging long-held perceptions about religious content in entertainment.
The awards serve as a beacon celebrating resilience and communal strength, providing a platform where spiritually positive and family-affirming works receive the industry recognition they deserve, ultimately offering audiences alternatives to the often secular or negative portrayals of faith in mainstream media.
