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

Business Wire

10-06-2025

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.
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.