S&P Awards

The Most Spiritually Literate Films of ...
1917 By Sam Mendes An uncommonly good antiwar film about two British soldiers in World War I sent on a mission of mercy. Feature
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood By Marielle Heller A moving drama about the transformative spiritual practices of Fred Rogers. Feature
A Hidden Life By Terrence Malick An immersive story of a conscientious objector to the Nazis, his wife who supported him, and the community who didn't. Feature
Abominable By Jill Culton, Todd Wilderman A magical animated film about the power of friendship and music. Animated
Aga By Milko Lazarov Visually stunning portrait of the spiritual struggles of indigenous people to survive. Feature
Always in Season By Jacqueline Olive A harrowing and revealing interrogation of the legacy of lynching in the United States. Documentary
American Factory By Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar Documentary about how culture clashes in factories highlight changes in the global economy. Documentary
American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel By Jeanine Butler, Catherine Butler An educational and intriguing exploration of progressive Christians attempting to reclaim the radical potential of their faith. Documentary
And Breathe Normally By Isold Uggadottir A moving story that showcases the need for openness and hospitality in our increasingly constricted world. International
Angels Are Made of Light By James Longley An engaging documentary about Afghanistan's youth that activates our empathy. Documentary
Another Day of Life By Raúl de la Fuente, Damian Nenow An animated documentary presenting a journalist's poignant perspectives on the horrors of war. Animated
Ash Is Purest White By Zhangke Jia An affecting epic melodrama exploring time, regret, and change. International
Blinded by the Light By Gurinder Chanda A buoyant tribute to the power of music to change lives. Feature
Dark Waters By Todd Haynes A chronicle of courageous and tenacious investigations by a lawyer into harm caused by unregulated DuPont chemicals. Feature
Diane By Kent Jones A deeply spiritual movie that provides a slice of a caregiver's life. Feature
For Sama By Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts A heart-wrenching and unflinching documentary filmed by a young mother and citizen journalist living through the siege of Aleppo, Syria. Documentary
Gift By Robin McKenna A documentary showing how art keeps moving in circles of sharing, giving, and generosity. Documentary
Harriet By Kasi Lemmons A moving biopicture of Harriet Tubman as a courageous and charismatic freedom fighter. Feature
Honeyland By Ljubomir Stefanov, Tamara Kotevska A heart-stirring eco-documentary about a nurturing female beekeeper in Macedonia. Documentary
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World By Dean Deblois A beautiful animated feature celebrating supportive friendships between humans and animals. Animated
In the Aisles (In den Gangen) By Thomas Stuber A portrait of life after hours in a warehouse supermarket that illustrates the way of tenderness. International
Jirga By Benjamin Gilmore A powerful story of a soldier seeking forgiveness and to make amends for a war crime in an Afghan village. Feature
Knock Down the House By Rachel Lears A brisk and meaningful look at four women running for Congress and hoping to change American politics. Documentary
Light of My Life By Casey Affleck An extraordinary and deeply spiritual drama about the power of stories and the parent-child bond. Feature
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice By Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman A top-drawer documentary about the longtime reigning queen of pop music. Documentary
Little Women By Greta Gerwig The classic novel creatively recast as an exploration of sisterhood and the family as a school of love. Feature
Little Woods By Nia DaCosta A bleak but edifying slice of small town drama in the midst of an opioid crisis. Feature
Los Reyes By Bettina Perut, Ivan Osnovikoff A gentle portrait of canine friendship in an urban skate park. Documentary
Mary Magdalene By Garth Davis A creative, relevant, and reverent film about Mary Magdalene, a deeply spiritual woman for all ages. Feature
Midnight Traveler By Hassan Fazili A moving story of migration captured on three iPhones. Documentary
Mother By Kristof Bilsen A touching documentary about the three virtues of a compassionate caregiver. Documentary
Non-Fiction By Olivier Assayas A dramedy about all the ways digital technology is shaking the book publishing world to its core. International
One Child Nation By Nanfu Wang A deeply personal journey through a nation’s shadowy population control policy. Documentary
Pain and Glory (Dolor y Gloria) By Pedro Almodovar A career-high glimpse into an artist’s triumphs and tribulations. International
Parasite (Gisaengchung) By Bong Joon Ho A masterpiece in filmmaking and class warfare dissection. International
Peterloo By Mike Leigh A mesmerizing historical drama about democratic fervor met with ruthless brutality. Feature
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la Jeune Fil… By Celine Sciamma A sensitive and exhilarating period piece about forbidden love. International
Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins By Janice Engel Thought-provoking documentary on the journalist whose humor challenged government incompetence and social injustices. Documentary
Rosie By Paddy Breathnach Moving drama about a suddenly homeless family dealing with the challenges of this increasingly common situation. Feature
Sea of Shadows By Richard Ladkani, Sean Bogle, Matthew Podolsky A documentary that unreels like an action thriller to tell the story of attempts to save the vaquita porpoise from extinction. Feature
Steven Universe: The Movie By Rebecca Sugar A delightful and moving animated fable about change and community. Animated
The Best of Enemies By Robin Bissell A remarkable film of hope, daring, and vision about a process whereby enemies are transformed into friends. Feature
The Biggest Little Farm By John Chester The hopeful story of a natural farm built on biodiversity and a recognition of interconnections, impermanence, and transformation. Documentary
The Cave By Feras Fayyad An emotionally rich portrait of an inspiring young doctor caring for her patients in the Syrian war. Documentary
The Farewell By Lulu Wang A sweetly moving portrait of a family facing its matriarch’s impending death. Feature
The Last Black Man in San Francisco By Joe Talbot A uniquely affecting meditation on race, gentrification, and belonging. Feature
The Lavender Scare By Josh Howard Another shocking and horrific expose of American hatred and ignorance. Documentary
The Report By Scott Z. Burns The story of the long Congressional investigation into the CIA use of torture with suspected terrorists. Feature
The River and the Wall By Ben Masters A remarkable documentary that gives us hope that young people documenting the consequences of a border wall will make a difference. Documentary
The Two Popes By Fernando Meirelles An enlightening drama about the humanity and differing visions for the church of Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. Feature
Tigers Are Not Afraid (Vuelven) By Issa López A haunting fairy tale with an urgent message. International
Toy Story 4 By Josh Cooley The latest adventure from a franchise that encourages us to find and express our purpose in life. Animated
Transit By Christian Petzold An elusive but effective exploration of migration and liminal space. International
Woman at War By Benedikt Erlingsson A watershed Icelandic film which will speak to the hearts and minds of all committed women who are working toward the creation of an ecological civilization. International
Ximei By Andrew Cohen, Gaylen Ross An affecting portrait of a fierce social justice fighter. Documentary
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