One of the most respected and well-read entertainment outlets is Variety. When the publication announced its inaugural “Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors,” Christians in Hollywood–and those who cover it–marked their calendars and prepared for the festivities.
Variety’s news release states that the event, presented by the Coalition for Faith & Media, was set to “celebrate individuals who are supporting often underrepresented themes of faith in storytelling and entertainment. ”
Jeff Simpson, a trustee of the Coalition for Faith and Media and CEO of Deseret Management Corp, opened the ceremony with an inspirational speech about why these awards are crucial to balancing Hollywood and highlighted the importance of diverse portrayals of faith in the media.
Simpson noted that the lives of people of faith are richer than the victims or stereotypes they are so often depicted as in entertainment.
“It’s more for us than simply a faith genre story,” Simpson said. “It’s a story about how people of faith are depicted in everyday circumstances. We believe that there’s a tremendous opportunity to expand our narratives to connect with global audiences in a more meaningful way.”
The people of faith, “Visionary Honorees,” receiving these inaugural awards included:
- Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, founders, JuVee Productions
- “Bob Marley: One Love,” accepted by Ziggy Marley, humanitarian, producer and musician, with an introduction by the Coalition for Faith and Media
- Erica Lipez, executive producer, writer and showrunner, “We Were the Lucky Ones”
- Jessica Matten, actor (“Dark Winds,” “Rez Ball”) producer and philanthropist
- Arian Moayed, actor, (“Succession”, “Inventing Anna”, “A Doll’s House”), EP of “Motherland” and co-founder, Waterwell
- Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy-Winning Actor, “Abbott Elementary”
- Jay Shetty, best-selling author, Podcast Host, “On Purpose”
Typically, award shows lift people up for their talent and the treasure they bestow on the rest of us through their medium. At Variety’s Faith & Spirituality in Entertainment Honors, the vessels were honored for their skills, but the Molders of that clay were given the ultimate designation of thanks, gratitude, and honor.
The Purpose of Variety’s Faith & Spirituality in Entertainment Honors
Ultimately, the event was to place a spotlight on faith.
The Coalition for Faith & Media shares enlightening statistics about how faith-based characters are depicted in mainstream media, which set the foundation for why Variety’s Faith & Spirituality in Entertainment Honors are way overdue.
- 84% of humanity identifies with a religion, yet only 20% of journalists feel the need to understand the nuances of faith
- 61% of U.S. adults think the media perpetuates “faith-based stereotypes”
- 59% see a need for a more diverse set of religious perspectives in the media
- And 43% think the media’s approach to faith and religion creates unease and anxiety
When the Visionary Honorees were brought up to the stage, the acceptance speeches and the presentation messages were a blessing for everyone in the room. For example, when Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, were awarded for their studio, JuVee Productions, it was a moment of praise instead of anticipation.
Edwina Findley Dickerson welcomed them to the stage, whose career has included the revered TV series Treme, The Wire, Veep, and Chicago Med. Her presentation set the mood for the glorious evening.
“As Viola often quotes, ‘The two most important things in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why,’” Findley Dickerson said. “It is our God dream, our divine dream, to live abundantly and to die empty, assured that when this life is done, we will have fulfilled the heights of our purpose.”
Davis, known for waxing eloquently, spoke about the evening’s honor by touching upon the seed God gave to plant in the rough terrain known as Hollywood.
“Years ago, we planted a seed in Hollywood, and we just kept watering that seed,” Davis said. “The roots got deeper and deeper, and that seed produced a tree that produced fruit. That fruit is JuVee Productions.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, who is experiencing a career renaissance with her hilarious portrayal of Barbara Howard in ABC’s mockumentary hit “Abbott Elementary,” probably encapsulated the meaning of the night with her acceptance speech. Her topic was the remarkable power of faith, which is a manner of living life despite what we see elsewhere on screen.
“Tonight, it is faith that allows me to share this stage with so many faithful storytellers who are lifting up narratives that often go unheard,” Ralph said. “Real faith is not about easy answers or glossy portrayals. It is about the messy, the beautiful, the complicated journey that we all take to find meaning, connection, and purpose.”
There is a purpose for faith in all aspects of life, but maybe none is more important than entertainment, which influences hundreds of millions daily. Big screen or small screen, music or sport, people want someone to guide them and influence them. They may not understand the need for a loving Savior, but they do understand a fear of the dark and how to escape it.
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 NIV)
Thanks to events like Variety’s honors for people of faith in entertainment, Hollywood is brightening up, and fear is being eradicated.
See you at the movies.
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