faith-based

Great American Media adds a faith-driven genre

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Great American Media has always been filled with inspirational stories. The company was created to bring wholesome, family friendly shows to the small screen. Their latest addition to their offerings is a new faith genre they call The Golden Thread.

Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media, said, “At Great American Media, we believe faith is not something that appears only in moments of crisis. The Golden Thread reflects the reality that faith is part of the entire journey of life. It’s present in the joyful moments, the difficult seasons, and the everyday experiences in between. These stories will entertain while demonstrating that faith is the very fabric of our lives, and is woven throughout life’s journey, guiding decisions, relationships, and purpose along the way.”

Unlike other shows where the character finds or rediscovers his or her faith, the stories in The Golden Thread have faith woven through the entire story. It lifts up the characters throughout their journeys.

The company describes this as a new kind of storytelling.

Why is this a good time to bring these faith-based and inspired films to the world? With all the turmoil around the globe and the stress building inside us, this is the perfect time to do this. Reminding viewers how faith is ever present and important in these times of upheaval is just what is needed, and that faith is woven through our lives in many ways.

Abbott,  the former CEO of Crown Media, wanted to bring more stories to the public that were grounded in old-fashioned morals and virtues. That was the impetus for co-founding Great American Media in 2021.

As Abbott told the Bold and Blunt podcast, “There’s a tremendous passion from the audience and they  just want to be entertained and they don’t want the social engineering and the indoctrination that has become such a part of the culture of entertainment.” He is insistent that Great American Media will always offer content families can enjoy together.

Blessings in Disguise is the first film under this new banner. It premieres on Great American Pure Flix beginning March 26, 2026, and Great American Family and GFAM+ beginning March 28, 2026. For our feature on this movie, click here.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

 

‘Blessings in Disguise’ is filled with inspiration and love

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The inaugural film in the new faith-based films from Great American Media is a sweet story about faith, love, and following your heart. Blessings in Disguise stars Shae Robins as Katie, a woman from a small town who has been trying to make it as a fashion designer in the big city. Unfortunately, along the way, she lost what really matters.

After her first fashion show proved to be uninspired, Katie returns to her home town to figure out her next move. Her mother is happy to have her home, but this woman is still dealing with the loss of her own mother and husband. Neither of these woman have a focus for their lives.

Luke (Casey Elliott), Katie’s ex-boyfriend, is still in town, and the two reunite – as friends. And when Katie decides to re-open her grandmother’s little dress shop, it is Luke she asks for help.

Katie is determined to redeem her reputation in the fashion world, and immediately sets out to design a new line of clothing. What will make her clothes stand out from all the others in the world? It is in her grandmother’s shop where she finds inspiration and her true calling in life.

Sewing in quotes and lines from the Bible to inspire and lift up the wearers of the clothes is what her grandmother always did. Her faith led her in her business. And now Katie learns just how much that faith and the inspirational lines in the Bible mean to not only her, but to the community and the world. These little blessings are unique. Sewn into the garments they add a touch of love, extra care, motivation, and encouragement to whomever wears them. These are the blessings in disguise.

While Katie is struggling to meet her deadline for a new fashion line, Luke is right by her side. And his steadfast belief that things will turn out all right if she just follows her beliefs, is the additional thread that binds her new path in her career to her life with meaning and love.

Blessings in Disguise begins streaming on Great American Pure Flix beginning March 26, 2026, and premieres on Great American Family and GFAM+ beginning March 28, 2026. 

This new faith-based genre titled The Golden Thread from Great American Media, is meant to inspire, entertain, and bring hope and love to viewers.  More movies will be rolling out under this new banner.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Great American Media

‘The Engagement Plan’ mixes city people with country folk and is a fun story for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Wade (Jack Schumacher) is a structured man. He has his days and life perfectly set out, day by day, and often hour by hour. His plan for proposing to his girlfriend Kayla (Mia Pollini) is all set and things couldn’t be better. Then everything gets changed.  Instead of both of their families spending the week together at the Waldorf, getting to know each other, they are going to be spending it at Maggie’s family’s farm in the country. Will Jack’s proposal still go off without a hitch? The Engagement Plan is still on, but a little different than originally planned. 

Jack and his father Dash (Judd Nelson) and mother Margot (Eva LaRue) are city folks. Jack has been groomed to join the family business which brings structure to their clients. Will they fit into the farm life out in the country?

Kayla’s folks are religious and rely on God’s guidance for everything in their lives. Mama Marilyn (Faith Ford) is kind and understanding however her husband Ed (Ted McGinley) is a little wary of Jack. He knows his daughter and simply wants to make sure she is taking the right path in her life. While her old boyfriend Cam (Eric Lutz) is working on the farm alongside Ed, things could get a little complicated. Actually, that’s putting it mildly. But as they allude to in the show, God will lead them in the right direction.

Jack’s first day on the farm, trying to impress Ed, is a doozy. His first step is right into a pile of poo, to put it mildly. Then being electrocuted by a fence doesn’t make the day any better. The best part, however, is calving a cow. That he manages to do to perfection without any help from anyone. This one act impresses Ed. And the icing on the cake is when Ed overhears a private conversation between Jack and Kayla. It’s then when he knows Jack is the right match for his daughter.

But that isn’t the end of the story. Don’t forget about Cam who still loves Kayla and wants her back. His involvement with the couple could derail everything. 

This is a fun comedy with charm as Jack faces many trials and tribulations on the way to proposing. The film is faith-based and the characters are endearing,  fun, and always looking out for one another. 

With Jack, Kayla’s family gets an education in structure, and with Kayla’s family Jack gets an education in life, nature, and just letting life happen naturally. Can he let go of his “plans” and give his life less rigidity? That’s the question. 

This is a “feel good” movie for the entire family. The perfect diamond, the perfect plan at the Waldorf, the perfect setting (for both the diamond and the location) might get bungled, but if the couple are meant to be together, they will find a way. 

The Engagement Plan has it’s Original World Premiere on Great American Pure Flix August 29, 2024 and on Great American Family on September 7, 2024. The movie was filmed on location in South Carolina, in all its splendor with its beautiful natural settings. The film is appropriate for all ages.

 

Images courtesy Great American Media 2024.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.