Hope Studios and Southern Adventist University School of Visual Art and Design Announce Start of Production on Feature Film “Slick”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 10, 2025--

Hope Studios and Southern Adventist University School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) have announced that principal photography has officially begun on the upcoming feature film "Slick,” a drama written and directed by SVAD alum Stanley Pomianowski.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250610944722/en/

The film stars Brett Varvel (American Underdog, Disciples in the Moonlight) alongside Jim Chandler ( The Farmer and The Belle, Stranger Things ), Stephanie Peterson ( Vindication, Undefiled ), Joshwa Copeland ( The Neighbor Who Saw Too Much ), LeJon Woods ( Old Fashioned ) and Bonny Breuner ( My Husband’s 7 Wives), and will be shot on location in the greater Chattanooga area through June.

In "Slick," a paroled convict strikes oil while doing community service at a church and tries to cheat them out of it—only to be disarmed by their relentless grace and kindness.

The film is produced by Nicholas Livanos, Ashton Weiss, Michael Moyer, and Ziarah Carrillo for SVAD in partnership with Hope Studios.

“We’re thrilled for the chance to create a film inspired by one of Jesus’ parables, and at the same time involve our student filmmakers in an unparalleled educational experience with seasoned professionals,” said Nicholas Livanos, Film Program Coordinator at Southern Adventist University and Producer of “Slick.” “I believe that stories are the language of human meaning, and we hope this one will be truly meaningful to audiences.”

“In today's climate of recessions, materialism, and mental health struggles with self-image, what better time to tell a story about the value God sees in us?” said Kevin Christenson, Head of Hope Studios. “We are excited to bring this universal story of grace over greed to screens all over the world. We're also thrilled to be bringing our sister organizations together -- Hope Channel International, Southern Adventist University, and Oakwood University to tell this great story.”

The film is slated for completion in 2025, with plans for theatrical distribution in 2026.

For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more, follow the film @theslickmovie on Instagram and The Slick Movie on Facebook, or visit theslickmovie.com.

About School of Visual Art and Design at Southern Adventist University:

The School of Visual Art and Design trains developing artists to enter professional life with balanced artistic perspectives that are relevant to culture while being firmly grounded in faith.

About Hope Studios:

Hope Studios, the cinematic arm of Hope Channel International, crafts and shares stories across the globe through its footprint in over one hundred countries. With content rooted in faith and values, its mission transcends entertainment. Hope Studios strives to inspire positive change through the universal language of storytelling.

Brett Varvel stars as paroled convict Dylan Marshall in the upcoming feature film, Slick.

PARIS (AP) — A Paris court is to rule on Monday in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, allegations her daughter said damaged her health and family life.

The defendants, eight men and two women aged 41 to 60, are accused of posting “numerous malicious comments” falsely claiming that President Emmanuel Macron ’s wife was born a man and linking the 24-year age gap with her husband to pedophilia. Some of the posts were viewed tens of thousands of times.

Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial in October.

Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about what she described as the “deterioration” of her mother’s life since the online harassment intensified. “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” Auzière told the court. She said the impact has extended to the entire family, including Macron’s grandchildren.

Defendant Delphine Jegousse, 51, who is known as Amandine Roy and describes herself as a medium and an author, is considered as having played a major role in spreading the rumor after she released a four-hour video on her YouTube channel in 2021.

The X account of Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, was suspended in 2024 after his name was cited in several judicial investigations.

Other defendants include an elected official, a teacher and a computer scientist. Several told the court their comments were intended as humor or satire and said they did not understand why they were being prosecuted. They face up to two years in prison if convicted.

The case follows years of conspiracy theories falsely alleging that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually the name of her brother. The Macrons have also filed a defamation suit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens.

The Macrons, who have been married since 2007, first met at the high school where he was a student and she was a teacher. Brigitte Macron, 24 years her husband’s senior, was then called Brigitte Auzière, a married mother of three.

Emmanuel Macron, 48, has been France’s president since 2017.

FILE - French President's wife Brigitte Macron arrives ahead of the ceremony outside "La Belle Equipe" bar, Thursday Nov. 13, 2025 in Paris as part of ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks. (Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP, File)