Local church's film creating buzz

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The premiere of the film "There's My Angel," produced in the Triangle, is now sold out.

More than 1,000 tickets were sold for next Saturday's premiere at The Carolina Theatre in Durham, according to the film's producer and director, Willie Hodges.

He said they're planning a second showing due to the high interest in the film that was created by Wake Media Films, a production company owned by Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh.

"There's My Angel" follows the story of 12-year-old boy who overcomes a horrible tragedy. The film was completely shot in Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh with local actors.

Bishop J. Jasper Wilkins Jr., the film's executive producer, is the Senior Pastor at Wake Chapel Church. Hodges is the media director at the church.

The two came up with the project as a way to reach out to the community and teach local students about filmmaking.

"You think about the young people that we are able to impact, teach them what's going on behind the camera, locally," Hodges said.

Hodges says the film depicts the dark realities of inner-city life.

"You think about all of the scenarios and situations that's going on in the world today, right now, that we are involved in," he said. "In the newspapers and television we hear about all these struggles that the inner city is having. Well, this film will give you a blueprint of how to deal with those realities."

But the film also has an uplifting message of hope, Wilkins Jr. added.

"Our goal is to help people to deal with the firestorms in their lives," he said. "No matter how dire your situation may be, there's hope for you."

Wake Media Films premieres "There's My Angel" on July 30 at 5 p.m. at the Carolina Theatre of Durham.