Last week at the International Christian Media Convention, we were reminded of something both encouraging and revealing.

There were countless companies creating thoughtful, values-driven entertainment for kids 12 and under. But beyond that age, especially older teens and young adults, the field narrowed quickly.

It raises a question worth sitting with: Can faith-based storytelling grow up without losing its convictions?

We’re not saying edgy for the sake of shock value. But stories that engage culture honestly, especially in genres the Church has often avoided because they don't fit the all-audiences model.

This week, we're highlighting projects that sit in different lanes of that spectrum. The goal isn't division. It's range. Can both coexist under one banner, or do we need clearer lanes as faith-based storytelling stretches into new territory?

If we want to reach the young people furthest from God, we may need to expand not just our budgets... but our imagination.

Originally launched as an award-winning series before expanding into a feature, the film follows a teen internet sleuth whose first day of high school is upended by a cryptic call from her missing father. Crafted as a family-friendly adventure for younger audiences, what begins as a search for answers becomes a treasure hunt involving espionage and unlikely courage, exploring how faith steadies you when the world feels far bigger than expected.

WHERE TO WATCH →

In the Scott Teems’ remake of Stephen King’s classic novel, a young girl with uncontrollable pyrokinetic powers is forced to run with her father as shadowy forces try to weaponize what makes her different. Built as a genre thriller for older teens and young adults, the film leans into tension and fear, but underneath the flames is a quieter question about power, protection, and what love looks like when the world feels dangerous.

WHERE TO WATCH →

Huff Media Production’s Dot Conner: Webtective recently received three nominations at the 53rd Annual Crown Awards, taking home Bronze for Best Cinematography and Silver for Best Soundtrack, with Andrew Huff also nominated for Best Director. Hosted by the International Christian Visual Media organization, the Crown Awards honor excellence in faith-based film and television, spotlighting projects that pair conviction with craft.

The recognition matters. It isn’t just about awards — it’s about what’s possible. Stories built for younger audiences don’t have to trade craft for clarity. They can be technically strong, creatively ambitious, and mission-driven at the same time.

If faith-based storytelling is going to expand its range, projects like Dot Conner: Webtective suggest that credibility begins with excellence. From its beginnings as a proof-of-concept series to its evolution into a feature supported through equity crowdfunding, the film models a deliberate path forward: build an audience, demonstrate demand, then grow.

Moments like this don’t just celebrate what’s been made... they create permission for what could be next.

_{*Disclosure: Ian Eyre, Plumb News’ Editor-in-Chief, served as stunt coordinator on “Dot Conner: Webtective.” As always, we maintain independent editorial standards.}

The results are in! 67% of you voted for Not really in last week’s poll: Do most modern love stories get love right?

Most indie films don’t struggle because the story isn’t there. More often, they struggle because momentum is assumed instead of built. For Dot Conner: Webtective, the path began small. Before becoming a feature, it started as a proof-of-concept series — a space to experiment, refine, and see whether audiences would lean in.

Producer Jae Huff, CEO of Huff Media Productions, admits they assumed the hardest part would be making the film. With a wide theatrical window and a family-friendly, faith-based lane, distribution seemed promising. But turnout isn’t automatic, even when the opportunity looks right on paper. It still takes attention and time.

That experience sharpened the P.R.O.V.E. Method:

The takeaway isn’t to think smaller. It’s to move deliberately, letting real audience response shape the next step. If faith-based storytelling is going to expand its range, it doesn’t usually happen all at once. It grows gradually, as attention is earned along the way.

_{*Plumb News is not affiliated with “Dot Conner: Webtective” and does not receive compensation for featuring it. We’re just highlighting it because we believe projects like this deserve support.}

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." — Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)

Faith was never meant to exist in isolation or withdraw from culture. It was meant to step toward it — carefully, thoughtfully, and aware of who is watching and listening.

To walk in wisdom with popular culture requires more than conviction. It requires discernment and a willingness to speak in ways that can actually be heard.

For storytellers, that calling is both creative and strategic. Not every audience needs the same tone. Not every space demands the same approach. But each deserves clarity shaped by grace.

If we hope to reach those furthest from God, cultural engagement is not compromise. It’s our calling. Making the most of the time we've been given means learning not just what to say, but how to say it.

Until next time,

THE PLUMB NEWS TEAM