Provo, UT—February 7, 2024—Updated May 3, 2024

Angel Studios, the studio behind the global blockbuster SOUND OF FREEDOM, has acquired worldwide rights to the feature film POSSUM TROT. 

Based on the true story of a small church in East Texas, POSSUM TROT is executive produced by Letitia Wright (BLACK PANTHER, Founder of 3.16 Productions), Nika King and Joe Knittig, directed by Joshua Weigel (THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS), written by Joshua and Rebekah Weigel (THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS), and produced by Joshua and Rebekah Weigel (Peacetree Productions).

“The Martin family and this community have shown us a solution to the foster crisis. They’re fighters and we believe this film will catalyze others to courageously follow their lead,” said Director Joshua Weigel. “I’m honored they asked us to tell their story, and that Angel Studios is bringing POSSUM TROT to the world."

POSSUM TROT shares the true story of Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin, and their tiny Bennett Chapel church, in the town of Possum Trot in the woods of East Texas. Twenty two families linked arms and courageously adopted seventy seven of the most difficult-to-place children in the local foster care system, igniting a national movement for vulnerable children that continues today. 

POSSUM TROT stars Nika King (Euphoria, Greenleaf), Demetrius Grosse (RAMPAGE, Justified), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, Outer Banks, RUNNING SCARED), and Diaana Babnicova (DON’T BREATHE 2).

“POSSUM TROT is a rare film that merges an incredible true story with the power to transform a critical issue facing our communities. Our Angel Guild was deeply moved by the story,” said Jared Geesey, Chief Distribution Officer of Angel Studios. “Last July 4, SOUND OF FREEDOM brought issues of trafficking to the attention of millions, and we know that a staggering percentage of children from foster care become targets for trafficking. We hope to continue to build on that awareness and shine light on the next step this Independence Day.” 

View the featurette here:

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About Angel Studios:  Angel Studios is the home of stories that amplify light. Through the Angel Guild, tens of thousands of  “Angel” investors choose which titles the studio will distribute next. Angel Studios allows creators and audiences to form passionate communities around their creative projects, making the story behind the story as important as the final project itself. The Chosen and Dry Bar Comedy—two of Angel Studios’ projects—have earned billions of views around the world, and now SOUND OF FREEDOM has become a global box-office hit. Learn more at Angel.com

About Peacetree Productions: Josh and Rebekah Weigel started Peacetree Productions to create socially and spiritually significant entertainment that transforms lives and inspires action. Peacetree Productions produced the highly acclaimed short film, THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS, which became a viral phenomenon with over 100M views and received over 35 film festival awards, including the Clint Eastwood Filmmaker Award presented by Clint Eastwood at the Carmel Int’l Film Festival. After POSSUM TROT, the highly anticipated feature length adaptation of THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS is on deck for Peacetree Productions. 

About 3.16 Productions was created by Letitia Wright in 2020 with a mission to create impactful film and TV content with a focus on cinematic excellence. To date, 3.16 has curated an exciting slate of meaningful, purpose-led short films and features including SURROUNDED alongside Bron Studios, Black Hand Productions & Mandalay Pictures and the award-winning short THINGS I NEVER TOLD MY FATHER which picked up 'Best International' at the New York Shorts International Film Festival and showcased at the Pan African Film Festival. Up next on 3.16’s slate is POSSUM TROT and boxing biopic IN THE SHADOWS.