Chonda Pierce to make Big Screen Debut

“Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark,” a one-night only cinema event will premier in select theaters around the country Tuesday, October 27, at 7 pm.

A deeply personal glimpse into the life of Chonda Pierce, the Christian humorist and best-selling female comedian of all-time, the film chronicles a series of tragic circumstances she recently faced, including the loss of her husband. Leaning on her faith in a season of heartbreak, Pierce perseveres—her signature wit intact—hoping to inspire and encourage others with her story.

"I'm nervous! I have allowed a film crew to expose very tender and private moments in my life simply hoping to continue a dialogue about faith, depression, grief and pain to promote healing for brokenhearted people,” Pierce says. “I love the Church, but it's not perfect. I love God, but life is hard. This movie ‘shows’ it all, not just ‘tells’ it all. Mental illness is not a lack of faith and loving Jesus doesn't exempt you from pain. And being a comic doesn't mean you laugh all the time!”

Immediately following the film, theater audiences will have the opportunity to view a special post-event presentation, “Finding Light in the Darkness.” Various celebrities and public figures, including Roma Downey, Kevin Sorbo, Sherri Shepherd, Monica Crowley, Corbin Bernsen and “Duck Dynasty’s” Miss Kay Robertson, are slated to discuss the impact of Pierce’s story.

“This event really brings to light the importance of having faith through life’s most difficult times,” says John Rubey, CEO, Fathom Events. “Chonda’s ability to use humor to overcome her struggles is truly inspiring and a great lesson for us all.”

“Chonda has always been able to do the impossible,” says “Laughing in the Dark” producer Kent Songer. “She’s the best-selling female comedian in history and at the pinnacle of her career she allows her fans full access into her life. She’s an amazingly brave and talented woman, and I am proud to be a part of this unique Fathom event.”

'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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Corbin Bernsen: I’d rather talk about God than Lindsay Lohan

Corbin Bernsen, famous for hit shows, “Psych” and “L.A. Law,” spoke to FOX about his career, marriage and faith.

"I have a production company called Home Theater Films which makes faith based films."

FOX 411: Are you born again?
Bernsen: That’s not where I put myself. I consider myself a Christian. It’s the kind of thing I struggle with. I have faith, I believe in God… All I know is I march to my own drummer these days. I stay true to myself and there’s a lot of people who want faith in their lives and I’m more about that. I would like to bring them into the discussion.

I am certainly on a journey of discussion. We’re have a conversation about it and in these days where there’s so much in the world that’s not working and somehow we’ve used faith and religion as a glue for society, something that’s made things work, not drive things apart, I feel there’s a need to celebrate that for the good of what it is. It gets so much bad press.

There’s an assumption if you have any faith you vote a certain way or you’re a conservative and that’s not true. There are very cool, relevant people who have faith in their lives and people who want to have faith who are afraid to enter the conversation. That’s all I care about, entering the conversation. I have four sons who are basically growing up in a world where basically they don’t believe… that’s not good either. So I’m not saying you have to believe in God or Christ, just come into the conversation for a bit…I find it far more interesting than say, talking about Lindsay Lohan.

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A Journey Home. A Faith Restored.

New film, RUST, explores crisis of faith and the importance of perseverance.
Filmed in Kipling, Saskatchewan, RUST stars Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Psych), who also wrote and directed this personal film. The real-life citizens of Kipling were cast in supporting roles.

The film becomes available on October 5 and when you watch the opening credits for RUST, one element will jump out more than the rest: the dedication, For Father. Writer/director/star Corbin Bernsen wanted everyone to know that this film was different than any other project he has worked on; it was created in memory of his dad.

The creative idea process of RUST began as Corbin was examining his life in the aftermath of Harry Bernsen's death in 2008. Part of his exploration was to look at the role of faith in his life. As Corbin said in a recent interview: "It's really put me on this interesting road and very educational, I might add, road back to understanding the role of faith in God and Christ in my life."