A State of the Union: Bringing Kolbe Home

From the first pitch to investors and distributors, the advice was consistent:

“You’re insane.”

But for us, this was a calling from God. 

Against all odds, we brought the film to completion. On September 12, we premiered Triumph of the Heart in theaters nationwide, following a sold-out 1,200-seat premiere at the University of Texas at Dallas. 

Audiences across the country wept, lives shifted, and critics raved.

And for that — for all that this story has accomplished already — we’re deeply grateful. But we’ve not emerged without bruises. 

The story of this journey is the story of overcoming one “impossible” challenge after another.

From a record-breaking Catholic Kickstarter, to 70 sold-out sneak previews, to $1M+ raised through 450 group buyouts in our “Bring It to Your City” campaign,  we proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is a market for great, artistic, high-quality Christian storytelling. 

Attendees give Triumph of the Heart a standing ovation at the US Premier at University of Texas in Dallas

But unfortunately, this was not enough for most theater chains. Just days before the weekend box office, our leading theatrical partner had only confirmed 45 of 200 requested screens. Additionally, other theater chains also proved inhospitable, leaving tens of thousands of ticket holders in chaos. 

We’re grateful that AMC took notice and began to collaborate. However, screenings continued to be plagued by ticketing delays, technical issues, and lost files. We even had multiple events with 135 paying ticket holders booked into 50-seat rooms, resulting in many ticket holders being turned away.

We wept with hosts who poured their hearts into filling theaters, only to face cancellations, rescheduling, or being moved around the theater multiple times on the day of.

In the end, we refunded over $100k. That stung, but the deeper pain was knowing you, our fierce advocates, missed the chance to experience this story. Our $915,000 box office, while notable for a $500k film, fell well short of its potential. That’s not what we dreamed together.

But here’s the truth: you’re part of a revolution. The theater system resists independant, faith based voices like ours, but your support is cracking that open. Economic tides will drive change, and we’re leading the way. For now, we’re bringing Triumph home to churches, universities, and community spaces where this story of hope belongs. We’re bringing the movie back home.

This story should be used as a tool for turning the eyes of a lost and hopeless culture to the hope that only Christ can bring. This film was not just meant to be seen, but also discussed. That’s why we will partner with communities to host screening events that spark conversation about suffering, the glory of the human spirit, and, most especially, about Jesus.

So, before we begin streaming at the end of October, we invite you to consider hosting a screening in your church, event venue, or auditorium.

Gather your community together and share the story of how one man’s love brought hope to one of the darkest places on earth. These venues may not have the theater glitz, but the Holy Spirit has a history of showing up in the humblest of places.

Moreover, bringing the film to these non-theatrical locations will open a pathway to a more transparent way to view the film, allowing our audience to continue supporting in-person showings confidently. We’ll continue to fight to share the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe with all those who want and need to hear it. We’ll also continue to fight to repay our investors, even if it takes a year or two. And we’re committed to paving the way for even more artists who believe in beauty, meaning, and hope to have a fighting chance to tell stories that deserve to be told.

Sign up today to be a priority host of Triumph of the Heart in October.

 Let’s make this story live on.

With courage and grit,
The Triumph Team

We are grateful for the collaboration of these partners:

Real Life Catholic

We are grateful to Chris Stefanick and Real Life Catholic for their promotion of Triumph of the Heart. Click here to watch a video of Chris at Auschwitz reflecting on St. Maximilian Kolbe's sacrifice. 

Real Life Catholic is a Denver-based ministry bringing the Gospel to the modern world. Learn more about their mission by visiting reallifecatholic.com. You can also sign up for Real Life Catholic's The Daily Anchor to get daily bite-sized spiritual reflections from Chris Stefanick straight to your inbox every morning.

LifeTeen

We’re excited to share a free youth resource for the new film Triumph of the Heart.

Created in partnership with Life Teen, an international Catholic ministry that serves hundreds of thousands of teens, parishes, and families each year, this resource is designed to help you go deeper with the message of the movie. Whether you’re gathering with your youth group or reflecting at home with your family, inside, you’ll find practical guidance, engaging discussion questions, and prayerful activities that will bring St. Maximilian Kolbe’s story of sacrificial love into real-life conversations.

Getting started is simple: [Download the Free Resource Here]

We hope this resource blesses you and sparks meaningful conversations after experiencing Triumph of the Heart. For more information about Life Teen and other youth resources, visit lifeteen.com