By: Jehiely Balabarca-Martinez
A faith-driven historical drama about the early Adventist movement is making waves in the film industry.
The Hopeful, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Kyle Portbury, was recently recognized with several award nominations. Winners were announced in February of 2025, placing the film alongside some of the year’s most prominent productions.
Released in April of 2024, the film tells the story of William Miller, a farmer-turned-preacher who predicted Christ’s return and sought meaning through biblical study in the aftermath of the War of 1812. His prophecy led to what became known as the “Great Disappointment” in 1844, and the movement eventually led to the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
After opening in more than 900 theaters across the United States, The Hopeful ranked among the top 10 at the box office during its debut run.
The film was nominated for three Crown Awards from the International Christian Visual Media Association (ICVM) —Best Evangelistic Film, Best Soundtrack and Best Editor—recognizing its ability to inspire and share the gospel through high-quality storytelling. It also earned a nomination for Best Direction of a Feature Film at the Australian Directors Guild Awards, putting Portbury’s work in the same category as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
In an interview with Sight Magazine, Portbury discussed how historical figures like William Miller, Ellen and James White, Joseph Bates and Joshua Himes have been mythologized over time. He emphasized that these individuals were real people with relatable emotions and experiences.
Portbury stated, “These characters … are people, if you grew up Adventist, you’ve heard of. But they almost aren’t real people anymore.”
“[In the film], you see that these people had the same hopes, fears, dreams and desires everybody does,” he explained.
Beyond critical recognition, The Hopeful has struck a chord with audiences. Students and faculty at Southern Adventist University who watched the film praised its cinematography, pacing and emotional depth.
“It wasn’t just another faith-based movie,” said Jonathan Navarro, freshman theology student. “It felt wrong, like you were actually there, experiencing what they went through.”
