Finding Her Voice for Christmas Brings Ceola J. Griffin's Faith-Based Family Drama From Stage to Screen
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MONTEREY, Calif. - Californer -- Ceola J. Griffin, a 2024 Gospel Choice Music Awards nominee for Best Playwright of the Year, has announced the feature-film adaptation of her stage play Finding Her Voice. The faith-based holiday drama, Finding Her Voice for Christmas, is scheduled to film in Monterey and surrounding communities in November and December 2026, with a multi-platform release anticipated for the 2027 holiday season.

"Watching this story grow from the stage to Broadway On Demand and now toward a full-length feature film has been an extraordinary journey," said Griffin, the film's writer, co-director, and co-producer. "At its heart, this is a story about what can happen when truth, faith, forgiveness, and love are finally given room to enter a family's most painful places."

The Story
Seventeen-year-old Joy Jones has a God-given gift and believes she has been called to pursue it. When she encounters unexplained resistance, her questions lead toward a family secret hidden for 15 years—one that could affect her parents' marriage, her family's faith, and her understanding of her identity. As the Jones family gathers for Christmas, Joy must find the courage and faith to speak.

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Previously featured on Broadway On Demand, Griffin's stage production Finding Her Voice has been expanded for the screen while preserving its themes of faith, family, identity, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The Creative Team
Griffin is joined by acclaimed filmmaker and Monterey native Rick Irvin, who will serve as co-director, co-producer, and one of the film's lead actors. Irvin's credits include Intersection, which received 77 film-festival awards, and Heavenly Deposit, which he produced, co-directed, and appeared in. Heavenly Deposit won Best Narrative Feature Film at Jesus Cine Fest and Most Inspirational Feature Film at the Hollywood Divine International Film Festival.

"I've always wanted to make a film at home, with and around the people I grew up with," said Irvin.

Don "Dusty" Phelps will also serve as co-director and appear in the film. A longtime artistic collaborator, Phelps has served as Griffin's co-director since 2018.

The original score will be created by platinum-credited songwriter, composer, and music producer DreLovesGod, also known as Demone "Deandre" L. Griffin. He co-wrote Deborah Cox's platinum single "It's Over Now," featured on her platinum-certified album One Wish, and has composed more than 50 songs and 10 albums for Griffin's stage productions.

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Filming in Monterey
The production will connect with the region through the Dream2b Youth Film Mentorship Initiative, which is being developed to provide approximately 10 Monterey-area youth with virtual instruction, creative mentorship, and supervised exposure to filmmaking. Learn more at www.dream2b.org.

Supporting the Film
Finding Her Voice for Christmas is seeking community, corporate, faith-based, and industry partners, including production sponsors and in-kind support for locations, lodging, transportation, meals, wardrobe, equipment, products, and promotion. Learn more at www.ceolajgriffinfilms.com.

About Ceola J. Griffin Films
Ceola J. Griffin Films is an independent production company creating emotionally resonant film and television stories centered on faith, family, and social impact.