HARD FAITH FEST | JUNE 23-27 2027 | 5 DAY EVENT
Los Angeles, CA
THIS YEAR'S THEME - All is Vanity

The Hard Faith™ Film Festival celebrates authentic Christian art and storytelling. Held annually in Los Angeles, CA, the festival attracts filmmakers and audiences from around the world to showcase films that explore the human condition through a Christian perspective.

The festival embodies Hard Faith theology, featuring real-world settings and flawed characters who find hope and redemption. Attendees can participate in workshops, panels, pitch fest, and an awards show, all designed to inspire and connect the Christian art community.

Join us at the Hard Faith Film Festival to experience impactful cinema and engage with a community that values meaningful storytelling and Christian faith. New to our fourth year is a music contest with life performances.

Thank you to all of our sponsors: Hollywood Prayer Network, Creative Icons, Vanguard Consultants, and Events by McKenna!

Awards & Prizes

First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Audience Award
Honorable Mention

Rules & Terms

WHAT IS HARD FAITH™
We recently trademarked the term “Hard Faith” in order to express what we feel is missing in filmmaking: a third way between “faith-based films” which are heavy on God-content made for Christian first audiences and mainstream films which are entertaining but often not bold enough to talk about the significance of God and the importance of faith in our lives. We don’t want to make either mistake, but instead seek to make films that acknowledge both the realities that God exists and life is hard. Imagine if Johnny Cash was making films in the 21st century and that’s what we want to be doing.
​
“Hard Faith” plays off a few different meanings. First, the honest reality that faith is often difficult and inconsistent. I have had many struggles with faith and yet I take peace in reading some of the church fathers and who also wrestled with God. I think that this is healthy and there needs to be a space especially in the arts to have this honest admission. Second, faith is hard in such an often contradictory and absurd and dark world full of unspeakable horrors. We need a faith that is strong and resilient to persevere in truly hard and realistic times. Faith is hard, and often after going through a life of suffering we develop a resilient and, yes, Hard Faith that can accept very imperfect lives and people with grace.
79 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Erin Elizabeth Cook

    What a wonderful Festival!! The panels were great, the films were high quality, and the hosts, McKenna and Spencer, truly make their Filmmakers feel special. We were thrilled to have our CA Premiere of The One at Hard Faith and so happy that Martin Sheen was able to attend and support such a beautiful mission alongside me.

    July 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Erin, thank you so much for these incredibly kind words. We were truly honored to have the California Premiere of The One at Hard Faith and so grateful you trusted us with such a special film. Having you with us — and having Martin Sheen there to support the film and the mission — meant so much to us. We are cheering you on and so thankful you were part of this year’s festival!

  • Samuel Taylor

    THE HARD FAITH FESTIVAL is an hands-clapping, spiritually-engaging festival that is beautifully orchestrated by the loving, welcoming embrace of Spencer Pomar, the founding "ANGEL' on this anointed faith-base celebration!

    My mind, my heart and spirit has been greatly blessed, inspired and energized by the presence of all the hospitable angels, praying, singing and celebrating in one accord!

    July 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Samuel. This means the world to us. We are so grateful you were part of Hard Faith Festival and that the experience blessed, inspired, and encouraged you. Your words are such a gift, and we are thankful you felt the love, prayer, worship, and celebration that make this community so special.

    With gratitude,
    Spencer and McKenna Folmar

  • Patrick McNerney

    We were very honored to have our film, The Sanguine, as an official selection at this festival. Communication was great as well as the in person festival. I'd highly recommend this festival to any film maker looking for a solid festival to submit to!

    July 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Patrick, thank you so much. We were honored to have The Sanguine as an official selection and grateful you were part of Hard Faith Fest. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

  • Suzy Hastedt

    Hard Faith Film Festival was one of the most encouraging festival experiences I’ve had. The organizers created an environment where filmmakers genuinely connected, supported one another, and celebrated each other’s work. I was grateful for the opportunity to present my screenplay, and it led to meaningful conversations with producers, writers, and fellow filmmakers that continued throughout the weekend. The feedback and thoughtful questions I received were invaluable. If you’re looking for a festival that prioritizes community, encouragement, and authentic relationships while celebrating faith-based storytelling, I highly recommend Hard Faith. I left inspired, energized, and with friendships and industry connections that I know will last well beyond the festival.

    July 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Suzy, thank you so much for these incredibly kind and thoughtful words. We were honored to have you present your screenplay at Hard Faith Film Festival, and it means so much to hear that the weekend led to real encouragement, meaningful conversations, and lasting connections. That is exactly the kind of community we pray this festival helps build. We are so grateful you were part of it and cannot wait to see where your story goes from here.

  • Brandon Cannon

    What can I say about Hard Faith other than it gave me a platform to share my work in a way that most faith based film festivals will not. I have been serving in my criminal justice career for over 23 years and I write stories most people can’t because they haven’t lived in my shoes far as the things I have seen and done in my career and I bring a real life authenticity to my films that are dark and gritty but yet shine Gods light all the way through. Hard Faith allows me to showcase my talents as a filmmaker. I drive 2100 miles this year from North Georgia to the festival where my film “ Set Free” won best film trailer! Thank you to Spencer Folmar and his awesome wife McKenna for being such. Tremendous human beings and for the work they do with this amazing festival! All the crew and judges that made it possible, thank you all as well. Lord willing I will see you all this December in NY as I have just submitted our film Set Free for best feature!!! God Bless!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Brandon!

    Thank you so much for these powerful words. This is exactly why Hard Faith exists.

    We are honored to provide a space for stories that carry real life, real pain, real redemption, and the light of Christ into places many are afraid to look. Your voice, your testimony, and your work matter deeply, and we were grateful to have you and Set Free with us this year.

    Congratulations again on winning Best Film Trailer. Driving 2,100 miles from North Georgia means more than we can say, and we do not take that kind of sacrifice lightly.

    Thank you for being part of the Hard Faith family. We are cheering you on and would love to see you in New York this December, Lord willing.

    God bless,

    Spencer and McKenna
    Hard Faith Fest