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Variety’s Faith & Media Impact Report 2026: Nominations Are Open
Variety has announced that nominations are now open for its 2026 Faith & Media Impact Report, an annual recognition programme celebrating storytellers in entertainment who authentically portray faith and spirituality across various world religions. The initiative honours a diverse group of industry professionals—including directors, writers, creators, and studio executives—who have produced compelling media content featuring spiritual perspectives for mainstream audiences.
Selected honourees will be profiled in Variety's December 2 issue and celebrated at the third annual Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors ceremony, organised in partnership with the Coalition for Faith and Media. The event will also present the 2026 Visionary Awards, which specifically recognise nuanced and broadly appealing portrayals of faith and spirituality in entertainment. Nominations close 2 October, with previous years recognising figures such as Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Jay Shetty.
In short
- Variety opens nominations for its 2026 Faith & Media Impact Report, recognising storytellers who authentically portray faith and spirituality across entertainment (deadline 2 October)
- Honourees will be featured in Variety's December issue and celebrated at the third annual Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors ceremony
- Programme honours diverse entertainment professionals—directors, writers, creators, executives—for compelling, nuanced storytelling across major world faiths
Explained simply
Variety's Faith & Media Impact Report is an annual recognition programme designed to celebrate storytellers in the entertainment industry who authentically portray faith and spirituality across the world's religions. The initiative acknowledges that how faith is depicted in mainstream films, television and other media shapes public understanding and perception of different spiritual traditions.
The programme honours a broad range of industry professionals, from directors and writers to studio executives and creators, whose work has brought nuanced and compelling portrayals of faith to mainstream audiences. By recognising this work, the report aims to encourage more authentic and respectful representation of spirituality in entertainment.
Selected honourees are profiled in Variety magazine and celebrated at an annual ceremony held in partnership with the Coalition for Faith and Media, which presents awards for particularly outstanding portrayals of faith and spirituality. Previous years have recognised prominent figures including Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Jay Shetty.