Variety’s Faith & Media Impact Report 2025: Nominations Are Open

On December 3, Variety will unveil its latest Faith & Media Impact Report, highlighting a dynamic and rapidly growing niche within the entertainment landscape. The report spotlights a diverse group of creators from various religious backgrounds who are developing spiritually-infused and innovative content for mainstream viewership. It aims to honor the contributions of film and television professionals—from directors and writers to studio executives—who, over the last year, have championed authentic narratives rooted in the world's major faiths. This initiative reflects a broader industry trend of audiences gravitating toward programming that offers substance and moral reflection.

This year's distinguished honorees will join an esteemed list of past recipients, continuing a legacy of acknowledging key influencers in faith-based media. Previous awardees include two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali—who earned widespread acclaim for his role in the landmark film "Moonlight"—alongside Jesse Eisenberg, the directing team of Jon Erwin and Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, Sarah and Erin Foster, Sterlin Harjo, and Charley Humbard. The 2024 honorees will be featured in Variety’s December 3 issue and celebrated at the second annual Variety Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors, an event presented by the Coalition for Faith and Media (CFAM).

In addition to the Impact Report, the ceremony will feature the presentation of the 2025 Visionary Awards, which are also backed by CFAM. These honors are bestowed upon individuals who actively advance the integration of faith into entertainment, recognizing nuanced and inclusive portrayals of spiritual life. Past recipients include the celebrated actress and producer Viola Davis and her production partner Julius Tennon, writer Erica Lipez, actor Arian Moayed, Emmy-winning performer Sheryl Lee Ralph, and storyteller Jay Shetty. According to media scholar Dr. Anya Sharma, "Honoring these creators is essential—it validates an often-ignored audience segment while motivating the industry to pursue more complex, spiritually resonant narratives."

The Coalition for Faith and Media (CFAM), the event’s organizing body, is an alliance dedicated to fostering constructive dialogue and collaboration between media leaders and diverse religious communities. The submission period for both the Impact Report and the Visionary Awards concludes on October 29. Candidates or their representatives can access submission guidelines and upload materials via the official online portal.

This heightened focus on faith-oriented media coincides with a notable shift in audience preferences, as viewers increasingly seek out entertainment that aligns with their values and explores deeper questions of meaning. Industry analytics confirm a consistent upward trend in demand for spiritually themed storytelling, suggesting this segment not only has substantial growth prospects but also the power to shape cultural conversations for years to come.