Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

This just in. I found this message from Isaac Ryan Brown in my in-box yesterday. He’s the young actor featured in Believe, a small Christmas film that opened last week in just 638 theaters but managed to pull in nearly a half-million dollars at the box office along with some very positive audience reaction. It’s being held over in a number of theaters this weekend.

Cast: Ryan O’Quinn (Alias ), Issac Ryan Brown (Blackish), Shawnee Smith (Anger Management, Grace Unplugged), Danielle Nicolet (The Flash), David DeLuise (Wizards of Waverly Place, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and Kevin Sizemore (Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462, Woodlawn)
Written and directed by: Billy Dickson (One Tree Hill, Ally McBeal)

Synopsis: For years, the small town of Grundy, Va. has relied on the Peyton family to provide the highlight of the year—the annual Christmas pageant. When Matthew Peyton (Ryan O’Quinn) inherits the family business, the responsibility of the Christmas pageant also falls on his shoulders.  But as financial hardships fall on the town, Matthew finds himself overwhelmed. As his business profits plummet and his workers begin to strike, Matthew is forced to make a decision between selling the family business and cancelling the beloved pageant or sticking out hardships despite his rapidly declining popularity in the community.

Through chance events, Matthew meets Clarence (Issac Ryan Brown), a boy who believes in miracles, and his mother Sharon (Danielle Nicolet). His newfound friends impact Matthew’s life in a way he never thought possible and teach him to believe and give faith a chance.

Talking about the partnership’s premiere project, Smith Global Media owner Harry Smith says “I am delighted to team with Billy Dickson, Ryan O’Quinn, and the passionate team behind Believe…We are extremely excited to bring wholesome family entertainment appealing to every genre, to audiences everywhere, this holiday season.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with the Smith Global Media team to bring Believe to family audiences everywhere,” concurs Ryan O’Quinn, executive producer and star of the film. “With their proven track record in bringing the highest quality of films and entertainment around the globe, I couldn’t be more excited to partner with them and collaborate with a group of extremely talented filmmakers.  Being able to film in my hometown was the ultimate gift.”

John W. Kennedy is a writer/development consultant specializing in teleplays, screenplays and novelizations. He can be reached at john@jwkmedia.com.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11