UP Presents King's Faith Starring Lynn Whitfield, James McDaniel, Crawford Wilson
Emmy® Award-Winning Actress Lynn Whitfield (Eve's Bayou, The Josephine Baker Story), Crawford Wilson ("Judging Amy," "Zoey 101"), James Mcdaniel (Malcolm X, "NYPD Blue") and Kayla Compton ("Entourage") Star in the Up Television Premiere -- King's Faith
Premieres Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 at 7:00 and 9:30 P.M. EDT Exclusively on Up
Contact: Chelsye J. Burrows, 770-692-4559, cburrows@UPtv.com; David Gardner, 770-692-9939, dgardner@UPtv.com; both with UP
ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- UP, America's favorite channel for uplifting entertainment, presents the UP Television Premiere movie King's Faith (@KingsFaith), a hopeful, second-chance drama starring Emmy® and NAACP Image Award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield (Eve's Bayou, The Josephine Baker Story), Crawford Wilson ("Judging Amy," "Zoey 101"), Emmy®-nominated and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actor James McDaniel (Malcolm X, "NYPD Blue") and Kayla Compton ("Entourage"). Produced by Faith Street Film Partners, Nicholas DiBella (Cherry Crush, Glimmer) produced, directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Root (Cherry Crush, Restless Heart). King's Faith will premiere on UP on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Eighteen-year-old Brendan King (Crawford Wilson) is a foster kid who grew up on the wrong side of the law, graduating from fights on the playground to drug-dealing and gun-running as a member of a multi-racial gang named "Avenue D." Arrested in a federal raid at 15 and imprisoned for three years, Brendan has found a relationship with God, and with it, he hopes to turn his life around. Upon his release, he moves in with a new foster family, Vanessa (Lynn Whitfield) and Mike (James McDaniel) Stubbs, who struggle over the new parental responsibilities after previously losing a son of their own. Meanwhile, Brendan vows to keep things on track between his new suburban school, after-school job and court-ordered community service. Driving home one afternoon, he stumbles upon a car accident and saves a girl trapped inside the burning wreck. The girl, Natalie Jenkins (Kayla Compton), turns out to be quite popular in town, so the accident rapidly makes local news. The notoriety thrusts them both into the spotlight -- Brendan as a former gang member turned hero, and Natalie for drug possession. Later, when Natalie is sentenced to community service, she finds a friend in Brendan, along with the faith to confront a troubling secret. Soon, Brendan begins to find some acceptance in his new world. But will it last? Members of his old gang appear looking to settle an old score, leading to a devastating chain of events for everyone that could destroy all the good that Brendan has accomplished.
"We all struggle at times to fit in while continuing to stand up for our convictions," said Leslie Glenn Chesloff, evp, programming, UP. "King's Faith takes viewers on a dramatic, emotional journey as a young man attempts to leave his turbulent gang life behind in order to build a more hopeful future for himself, his new family and those around him."
UP presents a Faith Street Film Partners production. King's Faith stars Lynn Whitfield, Crawford Wilson, James McDaniel and Kayla Compton. Produced, Directed and Co-Written by Nicholas DiBella. Executive Produced by James Pavone and Kirk Dueker. Co-Executive Produced by Paul Root, Mark Costello and Steve Bartolotta. Casting by Karen Margiotta. Director of Photography is Christopher Hart. Edited by Anthony De Luca and Nicholas DiBella. Original Music by Steve Bartolotta and Andy Ryckaert. Screenplay by Nicholas DiBella and Paul Root.
For photos and more information, please go to www.UPtv.com/KingsFaithPressRoom.
Follow our cast at:
About UP
UP, (www.UPtv.com) based in Atlanta, is America's favorite network for uplifting family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The UP brand is reflected in "Uplift Someone," the network's successful pro-social initiative. UP can be seen in more than 61 million homes on major cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Charter Communications, as well as DIRECTV on channel 338, DISH Network on channel 188, and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow UP on Facebook & Twitter facebook.com/UPtv & @UPtv.
About Faith Street Film Partners, LLC
Faith Street Film Partners, LLC was formed in 2010 by Nicholas DiBella, Paul Root, Mark Costello and Marc Wax to produce King's Faith. Our mission is to create a well-crafted story with sufficient audience interest while also securing and enhancing profitability to our investors. The company is designed to provide funding and resources for development of the movie King's Faith. It will produce the motion picture, secure collaborative domestic and international distributor relationships, and otherwise pave the way for the production of an inspirational and profitable motion picture.
