Miracle Makers Film Festival adds Aronofsky-produced feature to 2026 lineup

The Miracle Makers International Film Festival returns to Newport Beach Sept. 2-6 with a larger 2026 program that includes a special screening of Solidarity, new streaming distribution support from EKKL Entertainment and expanded Faith, Family and Intentionally Open competition categories. The festival says the additions are meant to give filmmakers more visibility, industry access and career pathways beyond the event.

Why it matters: - Miracle Makers International Film Festival is positioning its third annual edition as both a showcase and a career platform for filmmakers, creators and nonprofits. - The 2026 program adds a distribution prize that could help one Best Feature Film winner move beyond the festival circuit. - The festival is broadening its category structure to attract creators from different backgrounds and perspectives while keeping a faith-centered identity.

What happened: - The Miracle Makers International Film Festival will host its third annual event Sept. 2-6, 2026, in Newport Beach, California. - The lineup includes a special screening of Solidarity, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. - Solidarity was written, directed and edited by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Dustin Brown and executive produced by Darren Aronofsky through Protozoa Pictures. - EKKL Entertainment will offer a streaming distribution opportunity to the festival's Best Feature Film winner. - Dave Mechem, head of acquisitions at EKKL Entertainment, will speak at the festival. - The festival says submissions remain open in select categories.

The details: - MMIFF describes itself as a year-round platform connecting filmmakers, creators, ministries, nonprofits, entertainment professionals and audiences. - The festival's competition model includes Faith, Family and Intentionally Open categories. - Organizers say the format is designed to build relationships, surface new voices and support stories that drive cultural conversation. - Programming will also span film, television, web series, podcasts, content creation, YouTube, vertical films, music, books, dance, visual arts, screenwriting and emerging digital media. - Official selections announced so far include Empty Nets, Helen | Believe, The Hill, Finding Faith, Between Borders, The One, Rescued, Robbery at the Rockvale Theater, Thee Third Act and Soundman. - Featured speakers and guests announced so far include Frederick Peña, Darren Moorman, Brad Silverman, Sharon Lawrence, Nate Boyer, Mark Freiburger, Rick Altizer, David Russek, Karen Covell and Kelry Kirschenmann. - The festival will also share scenes and conversations with cast and crew from the upcoming Jimmy Stewart biopic Jimmy, from Aaron Burns & Co. - That biopic is tied to an initiative to provide one million free movie tickets to veterans. - VIP experiences will include filmmaker and celebrity interviews aboard a private yacht and gatherings at the Lincoln Experience Center. - MMIFF partners with Kids in the Spotlight, a nonprofit serving foster care-impacted and opportunity youth through filmmaking and workforce development. - Regal Cinemas and Top Financial Agency are sponsoring the festival. - The festival continues to accept sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, community partners and tax-deductible donations through Grateful Film Fund, its nonprofit fiscal sponsor founded by Rob Hollman.

Between the lines: - The EKKL Entertainment prize gives the festival a concrete industry hook that could make the event more valuable for emerging filmmakers. - The combination of faith-based and open categories suggests MMIFF is trying to widen its reach without abandoning its core audience. - The festival's mix of celebrity names, financing discussions and nonprofit partnerships points to a model built as much around networking and access as screenings.

What's next: - MMIFF says additional official selections, speakers, partnerships, panels and special events will be announced weekly before the festival. - More guests and industry professionals are expected in the coming weeks. - Festival updates, tickets and sponsorship information are available at MiracleMakersIFF.com.