LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Multifaceted powerhouse Mission Pictures International (MPI) will release a strong list of inspirational feature films in 2011, with “Marcelino” to be screened at some of the industry’s most prestigious film festivals, including the Mirabile Dictu-International Catholic Film Festival and Festival de Cannes.
“Marcelino," the story of a young orphan boy and his greatest triumph, will premiere as the opening film at the Mirabile Dictu-International Catholic Film Festival on May 12, 2011 at The Vatican. As an infant, Marcelino is abandoned and left on the steps of a monastery. Seeing the unlikelihood of finding a family for the young orphan boy, the monks decide to raise him as their own. One day while playing in the attic, 6 year old Marcelino discovers a statue with a face full of love and befriends it. Thinking the statue looks hungry, Marcelino sneaks bread and wine back into the attic. Just as he gives his offering, the statue miraculously comes to life and accepts the gift. Later the monks discover that the statue is alive as well and that it is Jesus. Moved by the boy's gift of faith, Jesus grants Marcelino's deepest wish, to be reunited with his mother.
This October, Mission Pictures International will release “Jerusalem Countdown,” starring David A.R. White and Lee Majors. “Jerusalem Countdown” highlights the reality of an inevitable conflict between Israel and Islam. Other upcoming projects for Mission Pictures International include “What If,” starring Kevin Sorbo and Kristy Swanson, “My Last Day Without You,” starring Ken Duken from Inglourious Basterds and “Christmas with a Capital C,” starring Ted McGinley, Nancy Stafford, and Daniel Baldwin.
In addition to feature films, MPI will announce multiple television movies from bestselling Authors Janette Oke and Beverly Lewis. “The Shunning,” based on the celebrated first novel of a best-selling book series from author Beverly Lewis, aired on the Hallmark Channel on April 16th. Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield starred in the television movie.
MPI has also released past successful films including “Letters to God,” “To Save a Life,” “The Way Home” and “Like Dandelion Dust,” with Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino. “Letters to God” and “Like Dandelion Dust” will also be theatrically released in Mexico this fall.
ABOUT MISSION PICTURES INTERNATIONAL
Mission Pictures International is a foreign sales, finance, and distribution company that specializes in high quality family and faith-based entertainment for mainstream audiences worldwide.
Founded in 2008 by Cindy Bond and Chevonne O'Shaughnessy, MPI's primary focus and commitment is to create and build a trusted and vibrant brand of entertaining and life-affirming feature film and television programming. With their unique vision, passion and expertise, they are able to strategically and effectively maximize their brand within the global marketplace. They achieve this goal by combining the power of mainstream buyers, distributors and output deals with their international Christian retailers, distributors and global ministry relationships.