'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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Legendary Send-Off for Andrae Crouch at Memorial Service

Gospel legend Andrae Crouch's life was celebrated over two days. Thousands from all over the world paid their respects on January 20 and 21st at West Angeles Church of God In Christ, Los Angeles. Music legends gave a historic send-off to the man who revolutionized Gospel music and referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and Gospel music professionals.

The celebrations included appearances and performances by Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Edwin Hawkins, Fred Hammond, Erica Campbell, Dr. Bobby Jones, Kurt Carr, Donald Lawrence, Karen Clark-Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, Byron Cage, Smokey Norful, Richard Smallwood, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims, and many more. Bishop Kenneth Ulmer officiated the funeral and Pastor Marvin Winans gave the eulogy, as well as performed. A message from Barack Obama was included in the program.

BET Network streamed both services 'live' and video tributes were shown by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Copeland and Michael W. Smith.

Andraé’s accolades include 7 Grammy Awards, 6 Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for "The Color Purple," induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he worked as a producer and arranger with many of music’s top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others. Andraé can also be heard on Michael Jackson's hit singles "Man in the Mirror," "Keep the Faith,” "Will You Be There" and “Earth Song.”