Supporting roles are filled by local actors from the filming location (St. Joseph, Missouri), which helped keep the production budget modest. | Aspect | Information | |--------|-------------| | Development | The script was originally a short story published in The New Yorker (2012). Jordan Pierce adapted it into a full‑length screenplay in 2014, securing a grant from the Sundance Institute for script development. | | Financing | Primary financing came from Shahd Film Productions (a boutique indie house founded by Nadia Al‑Saadi and Rashid Karim). Additional funds were raised via a modest Kickstarter campaign (≈ $45 k) and a regional film‑tax credit from the state of Missouri. | | Filming | Principal photography lasted 28 days (July–August 2015). Locations: a historic church in St. Joseph, local high school, and the town’s Harvest Festival grounds. | | Post‑Production | Editing completed by February 2016. Original music recorded at Sunset Sound Studios (Los Angeles). The final mix was done in Dolby Atmos for a limited theatrical release. | | Distribution | Handled by IndieScope Pictures , a boutique distributor specializing in festival‑circuit releases. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (January 2016) in the “U.S. Dramatic Competition” section. It later screened at SXSW , Toronto International Film Festival , and several regional festivals before a limited theatrical run in select U.S. cities. | 6. Critical Reception | Source | Rating / Summary | |--------|------------------| | Rotten Tomatoes | 68 % (Tomatometer) – “A heartfelt coming‑of‑age drama anchored by a strong lead performance.” | | Metacritic | 62/100 – “Solid storytelling with occasional pacing hiccups, but the music elevates the film.” | | Variety (Review by Peter Debruge) | “Rivera’s nuanced portrayal of a young woman wrestling with faith and freedom makes the film’s modest ambitions feel genuinely resonant.” | | The Hollywood Reporter | Praised the cinematography for capturing the “golden‑hour glow of Midwestern landscapes,” but noted that the climax felt “predictably sentimental.” | | IndieWire | Highlighted the original soundtrack as “the film’s beating heart; the songs feel lived‑in and help bridge the gap between the sacred and the secular.” | | Audience Scores | Strong support among faith‑based viewers (average 4.2/5 on FaithFilm.com) and among indie‑film enthusiasts (average 4.0/5 on Letterboxd). |
The narrative tension escalates when Emma’s secret is uncovered by the church elders, leading to a public confrontation that forces her to choose between familial loyalty and personal authenticity. The climax occurs during the town’s annual “Harvest Festival,” where Emma takes the stage to perform her original song—an act that both shocks and liberates the community.
When a charismatic traveling music troupe stops in town, Emma becomes fascinated by their free‑spirited lifestyle and the possibilities beyond her sheltered world. She befriends , the troupe’s lead guitarist, and together they discover a shared love for songwriting. Their secret collaboration produces a set of original songs that blend gospel roots with contemporary folk‑rock.
(also referenced as “The Preacher‑39‑s Daughter” in some transliterations) 1. Overview | Item | Details | |------|---------| | Title | The Preacher’s Daughter | | Release Year | 2016 | | Country of Production | United States (independent) | | Language | English (original); several subtitled versions for international markets | | Genre | Drama / Coming‑of‑age | | Running Time | Approx. 97 minutes | | Budget | Estimated $1.5 million (independent financing) | | Box‑Office | Limited theatrical release – total gross ≈ $210,000 (U.S.) + modest overseas VOD earnings | Note: The film is not to be confused with the 2021 documentary The Preacher’s Daughter (directed by Amy J. Berg). The 2016 feature is a narrative drama produced by an independent company, Shahd Film Productions (often transliterated as “shahd fylm”). 2. Creative Team | Role | Name | |------|------| | Director | Miriam Talbot | | Screenwriter | Jordan Pierce (adapted from a short story by Liza Harper) | | Producer(s) | Nadia Al‑Saadi , Rashid Karim (Shahd Film Productions) | | Cinematographer | Ethan L. Chu | | Editor | Lena Ortega | | Music Composer | Samuel “Sam” Duvall (original score) | | Production Designer | Maya R. Patel | 3. Synopsis The Preacher’s Daughter follows Emma Collins (played by Mia Rivera ), a 17‑year‑old high‑school senior living in a small, conservative town in the American Midwest. As the only child of Reverend Jacob Collins (Johnathan Hayes), Emma grows up under the weight of the church’s expectations, a rigid moral code, and an ever‑watchful congregation.
The film ends on an ambiguous but hopeful note: Emma decides to pursue a music scholarship in Nashville, while her father, visibly shaken, begins to reconsider his own rigid stance. | Actor | Character | Brief Bio | |-------|-----------|-----------| | Mia Rivera | Emma Collins | Emerging talent, previously known for indie short Dust & Daisies (2014). | | Johnathan Hayes | Reverend Jacob Collins | Veteran character actor with extensive TV work (e.g., Blue Ridge ). | | Ethan Grant | Luca Moreno | Italian‑American musician; real‑life guitarist, brought authenticity to the musical scenes. | | Sofia Al‑Saadi | Grace Collins (Emma’s younger sister) | Daughter of producer Nadia Al‑Saadi; her cameo adds a personal touch for the production team. | | Tamara Lee | Miriam , the troupe’s manager | Provides the catalyst for Emma’s exposure to the broader world. |
