'Unbroken', 'Heaven Is for Real,' 'God's Not Dead' and UP Win Big at Faith-Friendly Awards

Heaven Is for Real and Unbroken took top prizes at the Faith & Values Awards which rewards programming based not only on their entertainment and artistic quality but also their uplifting messaging and Bible-honoring content.

Unbroken, a film about World War II prisoner Louis Zamperini that was directed by Angelina Jolie, was deemed the best film of 2014 for mature audiences while Heaven Is for Real was named the best movie for families.

The 23rd annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala was hosted by Bill Engvall and drew executives from most major — and lots of minor — studios. The event will be broadcast on ReelzChannel on Feb. 21 and again two days later.

The most notable snubs of the evening were the total absence of Noah and Exodus: Gods and Kings, two movies based on the Bible that were controversial in some circles for being insufficiently faithful to the source material.

Unlike the Oscars and most similar affairs, the Faith & Values Awards chooses not only a winner in its top two categories but also nine runners-up that receive trophies.

In the 'family' category, the nine additional movies were: Son of God, God's Not Dead, Big Hero 6, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dolphin Tale 2, Penguins of Madagascar, Bears, Muppets Most Wanted and Planes: Fire and Rescue.

In the 'mature' category, the nine other movies were: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Giver, The Good Lie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Divergent and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Also unlike other awards shows, the Faith & Values Awards doles out a few cash prizes, supported by a grant from the Templeton Foundation. This year, its $100,000 Epiphany Prize for movies went to God's Not Dead and its $100,000 Epiphany Prize for television went to UP's Love Finds You in Sugarcreek.

There's also a Faith & Freedom Award for movies and television, with the former going to The Giver and the latter to The Gabby Douglas Story.

Presenters included actor Corbin Bernsen, Duck Dynasty personalities Sadie and Korie Robertson and, as has been the case for a few years, several Disney Channel stars: Madison Pettis (Jake and the Never Land Pirates), Shane Harper (Good Luck Charlie); Olivia Holt (Kickin' It), Austin North (I Didn't Do it) and Karan Brar (Jessie).

Stevie Wonder appeared with several other artists in a musical tribute to gospel singer Andrae Crouch, who died in January.

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Going Hollywood: 'Duck Dynasty' stars 'honored' to be part of Faith & Values Awards

The annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards celebrates productions focusing on American patriotism, Christian beliefs and the traditional family. Now in its 22nd year, the gala ceremony – being held Friday evening at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles – is welcoming “Duck Dynasty” stars Willie and Korie Robertson into the fold.

"We're excited to attend an awards show that honors and recognizes actors, directors, writers, producers and executives providing a positive message in film and programming," Korie Robertson told Fox News. "We are honored to present an award and to see Willie's work recognized as a nominee."

Gala founder Dr. Ted Baehr said the Movieguide Awards are equally as thrilled to have the Robertsons as guests and nominees.

"I think they were pretty beaten down by the media following Phil’s interview last year, and went through a period of extreme angst," Baehr said. "But they’re so excited to be coming and they’re bringing the family."

Willie has a Grace Prize TV nomination for his role in “Last Man Standing: Back to School,” while “Duck Dynasty: Till Duck Do Us Part” is also in the running for the Faith and Freedom TV awards and the Epiphany Prize TV award.

Furthermore, Willie and Korie will together present an award for the Best Family Movie. Nominees in that category include “Frozen,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” and “Oz, The Great and Powerful,” while the “Best Mature Audience Films” is acknowledging “Captain Phillips,” “Gravity” and “Iron Man 3.” On the small screen, “Blue Bloods,” “Remember Sunday” and “Christmas in Conway” will face off against “Duck Dynasty” for the Faith & Freedom Award and the hit History Channel series “The Bible”” is up for both a TV Grace Award and the TV Epiphany Prize.

Other confirmed presenters include Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, Andy Garcia, James Denton, Ali Landry and Holly Robinson, while Ritchie Sambora, Billy Ray Cyrus and AJ Michalka from “Grace Unplugged” will perform.

“This past year has been the greatest year we’ve ever had for movies with faith and values; these are being lifted up everywhere," added Baehr. "But we really try to focus on more than celebrating the actors is the people behind-the-scenes – the writers, directors and produce who make these movies and shows happen. These are the people who are too often forgotten.”

The 22nd Annual Movieguide Faith &Values Awards airs March 1 and 2 on the Reelz Channel.