‘Up to 90% of children who were victims of sex trafficking had been involved with child welfare services.’
– U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT to Launch In Theaters Everywhere Starting July 4
Film Shares a Powerful True Story of a Community that Committed to Fight for Vulnerable Kids in their Region.
(Provo, UT – May 21, 2024) Angel Studios is honored to announce that SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT will launch in wide theatrical release starting July 4, 2024. The film is directed by Joshua Weigel and stars Nika King (Euphoria), Demetrius Grosse (Justified, The Rookie), and Elizabeth Mitchell (Outer Banks, Lost). The film was executive produced by Letitia Wright (Marvel’s Black Panther, The Silent Twins, Surrounded) for 3.16 Productions, and written and produced by Joshua and Rebekah Weigel for Peacetree Productions.
“I was told about the Martin family in Possum Trot, Texas a few years ago. Immediately I was moved by their compassion and love towards helping children within the foster care system,” said Wright. “I found a similar feeling of purpose and desire for change alongside the director and writer who have known the Martins for many years. This film will connect to hearts all over the world and will bring real impact and change for children not only in America but across the world.”
Inspired by the powerful true story, SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would take. By doing the impossible –adopting 77 children– this East Texas community called “Possum Trot” proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won.
“SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT is the sound of a courageous little church standing up and fighting for children who are being exploited and abused,” said writer/producer Rebekah Weigel. “There are more than 100,000 kids languishing in the foster system in America that need a family, and their deep cry for healing will be heard through this film. It’s time to follow this community’s lead, across this nation and around the world. We are so excited to partner with Angel Studios to ignite the movement to end the foster crisis.”
“Last year, Angel Studios started on a mission to help kids by shining a light on child trafficking. This year, SOUND OF HOPE shines a light on a solution,” shares Jared Geesey, Chief Distribution Officer of Angel Studios, “An issue this big deserves a big release date. With hundreds of thousands of local churches and civic organizations in America, there are more than enough resources to ensure every child has a safe and loving home.”
SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT will be in theaters nationwide July 4, 2024.
About Angel Studios: Angel Studios brings stories that amplify light to mainstream audiences. Through the Angel Guild, 260,000 members choose which film and television projects the studio will market and distribute. The studio enables creators and audiences to form passionate communities around creative projects, making the story behind the story as important as the final project. 104,000 Angel Guild members in 155 countries have invested nearly $80M in projects distributed by the studio to date. Angel Studios is behind the global box office hit, SOUND OF FREEDOM, which has earned $250 million in global box office. Learn more at Angel.com.
About Peacetree Productions: Joshua and Rebekah Weigel’s Peacetree Productions exists to create socially and spiritually significant entertainment that transforms lives and inspires action. Peacetree Productions produced the highly acclaimed and internationally beloved short film, THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS, which became a viral phenomenon with over 100M views and received over 35 film festival awards, including the Clint Eastwood Filmmaker Award presented by Clint Eastwood at the Carmel Int’l Film Festival. After THE SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot, the highly anticipated feature length adaptation of THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS is on deck for Peacetree Productions. Learn more at peacetreeproductions.com
About 3.16 Productions: 3.16 Productions was created by Letitia Wright in 2020 with a mission to create impactful film and TV content with a focus on cinematic excellence. To date, Threesixteen has curated an exciting slate of meaningful, purpose-led short films and features including SURROUNDED alongside Bron Studios, Black Hand Productions & Mandalay Pictures and the award-winning short THINGS I NEVER TOLD MY FATHER which picked up ‘Best International’ at the New York Shorts International Film Festival and showcased at the Pan African Film Festival. Up next on 3.16’s slate is boxing biopic IN THE SHADOWS.
*** States’ Prevention of Child Sex Trafficking in Foster Care report HERE