Every major social problem that plagues our nation today can be traced back to one root cause: Fatherlessness.

From small-town America to the heart of New York City, 

 tells the stories of people who are stepping into the lives of fatherless kids. Through adoption, mentoring, and simply paying attention, these men and women are planting hope and security. They are giving kids a future and helping them become sons and daughters.

Summary

2012 Winner Best U.S. Documentary - San Diego Christian Film Festival

2013 Offical Selection - Justice Film Festival

Recognition

Composers: Zach LaLiberte, Roger Hooper, Luke Atencio

Location Audio: Lance Lundstrom, Lucien Dowdell, Ted Topi, Terry Ohmart

Cast and Crew

Trailer

Fatherlessness

From small-town America to the heart of New York City, Becoming Sons & Daughters tells the stories of people who are stepping into the lives of fatherless kids. 

Becoming Sons and Daughters (2012)

A teen living as hikikomori for two-and-a-half years is pushed to her breaking point in an ever-shrinking room while her mother tries to restore their relationship.

2021 Winner Best Short Film - Red Rocks Film Festival

2022 Official Selection - Justice Film Festival

2022 Special Screening - Tokyo Damah Film Festival

Cultural Advisors: Teruyo Seta-Davis, Anne Marie Smoker

Set Design/Build: Matt Foreman, Mike Smith

Hikikomori

A teen living as a hikikomori for two-and-a-half years is pushed to her breaking point in an ever-shrinking room while her mother tries to restore their relationship.

Nozomi (2021)

When it’s no longer safe to stay in their home, two young kids make a desperate escape and attempt to live on their own. Based on a true story.

2019 Indy Winner Audience Choice - Shorts International Film Festival

2019 Winner Best Film - Foster for Foster Film Festival

2019 Official Selection - Heartland Film Festival

2019 Official Selection - Justice Film Festival

2019 Official Selection - Louisville's International Festival of Film

Producers: John Lerchen, MD Neely, Eric Epperson

Director of Photography: Michael J. Hartnett

Foster Care

Hard to Place (2019)

After nearly taking his own life, a young man's future depends on his grandfather's ability to face the past.

2017 Winner Best Midwest Short Film - Richard Harris International Film Festival 

2017 Official Selection - Galway Film Fleadh

2017 Official Selection - Justice Film Festival

Producers: Stephanie Whonsetler, MD Neely, Liam O'Neill, Eric Epperson

Unseen is an award-winning short film that was created in 2017 to open the door to hopeful conversations regarding mental health. Mental health and suicide can be challenging topics to talk about, especially with young people. According to the CDC, around 1 in 3 high school students (31.5%) say they’ve experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Shown to 35,000 students at CIY’s MOVE conference, youth ministers reported that over 50% of those who watched the film followed with a positive conversation regarding mental health and suicide. The film and its resources are available for free and currently being promoted in the U.S. at www.unseenfilm.org.

Kingdom Impact

Mental Health & Suicide

Unseen (2017)

There's a violent secret under the surface in Guatemala City. It affects families in every social class and in every neighborhood. Everyone knows it but everyone is silent. That's when Vicente decided to speak up. Based on the true story behind a landmark legal case, "Aullido" (Howl) displays what can happen when children are bold in the face of injustice and how those in power can stand on their behalf.

2015 Winner Best Short Film - Justice Film Festival

2016 Official Selection - Heartland Film Festival

2016 Official Selection - Peace On Earth Film Festival

2016 Official Selection - San Diego Latino Film Festival 

Producers: Stephanie Whonsetler, MD Neely, Eric Epperson

Child sexual assault is an extremely sensitive issue, and in 2015, WRKR produced Aullido in partnership with International Justice Mission. The short-film is based on a true story of Vicente, a teenager in Guatemala City, who experienced the horrors of sexual abuse first hand and the subsequent landmark legal victory that brought his perpetrator to justice. This award-winning short film is now being considered by the Guatemalan government to become an official resource of the Ministry of Education. If selected, the film will be available to more than 16,000 teachers for use in their classrooms as a tool to help students speak out against child sexual assault.

Child Sexual Assault

Based on the true story behind a landmark legal case, "Aullido" (Howl) displays what can happen when children are bold in the face of injustice and how those in power can stand on their behalf.

Aullido (2015)

It is quickly becoming the most populated country in the world, but India holds a dark secret. Men and women who make their homes in the poor villages throughout the central region of the country are forced to make decisions that no parents should ever have to make. Sell a child into slavery or watch your children starve to death.

Director of Photography: Michael Hartnett

Child Slavery

Poor villages in India are forced to make decisions that no parents should ever have to make. Sell a child into slavery or watch your children starve to death.

Tiharu (2013)

Christian persecution has been a reality for more than 2,000 years. While tragic, it is not a story of defeat. Instead, those who find themselves in the crosshairs of violence today count it a blessing to stand among the faithful throughout history. In the face of persecution, these followers of Christ fear compromise more than death itself.

Love Costs Everything maps the history of Christian persecution from the first martyrs to seven present-day stories of faith that knows no price.

Filmed in Iraq, Columbia, India, Egypt, France, and the United States, this feature-length documentary includes commentary from US Congressmen, foreign government officials, religious leaders, and scholars.

 in 2011, bringing the story of the persecuted church to a new generation in the form of a feature-length documentary. The film weaves together multiple stories from all over the world – including Baghdad, Iraq; Bogota, Colombia; central India; Paris, France; and Los Angeles, California. Facing the reality that persecution is a reality for millions of Christians around the globe, young people were challenged to raise money to send pastors out into hostile and remote parts of central India through Central India Christian Mission. Over 40 pastors were sent out, sharing the Gospel with nearly 120,000 people, and over 10,000 accepting Christ. In addition to this, funds were used to provide relief for the persecuted families; repairing homes, providing food and clothes, and helping widows of pastors who were killed.

2012 Finalist - Transforming Stories International Film Festival

2012 Official Selection - San Diego Christian Film Festival

Persecution

Love Costs Everything (2011)

Zambia’s Song is the story of Abigail and her Zambian village as they struggle in the middle of the water crisis. She is just one of the 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who lack access to clean drinking water. Zambia’s Song portrays the grit of those who strive for a better life and sing with hope in the most dire of circumstances.

 was released in 2010 and challenged young people to take action in their personal lives to provide clean water for the people of Zambia. As a result of fundraising efforts, 27 new wells were dug, and 200 bio-sand filters were installed in homes. As a result, over 7,600 people in the Mackenzie area which was featured in the film, now have access to clean water. Hygiene and sanitation training, as well as pump repairs, were also enabled by fundraising efforts.

Clean Water

Zambia’s Song is the story of Abigail and her Zambian village as they struggle in the middle of the water crisis.

Zambia's Song (2010)

Human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, is now among the fastest-growing criminal businesses in the world. BAHT tells the story of one brave survivor as she works to piece her life, and future, back together.

was first shown in 2008 at CIY’s high school conference, MOVE – which sees approximately 35,000 students attending every year. Since its release, the film has helped to raise more than $13 million dollars for partner Rapha House – which has facilities in Cambodia, Thailand and Haiti. More than 300 women have been rescued from human trafficking and provided new and safe homes through Rapha House. The women are given an education, taught a professional trade, and presented with the Gospel message. According to Stephanie Freed, Rapha House director, giving income in the year following the release of 

more than doubled from the previous year, which she directly attributes to CIY’s efforts.

CIY

PROGRAMS

STORIES

Resources

We call youth to Christ
and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church.

Summary

CIY

PROGRAMS

STORIES

Resources

We call youth to Christ and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church.

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Summary

We call youth to Christ
and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church.