Our Films
Telling great stories that make a positive difference in the world.
Belltower Pictures is dedicated to producing, promoting, and distributing high-quality films, television, and web projects that make a meaningful and positive difference in the world. We focus on telling compelling stories that inspire, uplift, and have a lasting impact on people’s lives.
Beyond storytelling, our mission includes training and empowering the next generation of filmmakers, equipping them with the skills and vision to create transformative work. We are passionate about fostering collaboration and unity, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their unique perspectives and experiences.
Through our projects, we strive to create a more connected and compassionate world, one story at a time.
Emmy Award Winner
Anahita: A Mother’s Journey
A story of courage, resilience and hope
Anahita was a police officer in Kabul. This is her first-person account of escaping from Afghanistan in August 2021 with her five children, after being tipped off that the Taliban was looking for her. Anahita tells the harrowing story of getting into the airport, climbing over barbed wire, almost being shot by the Taliban, and the challenge of keeping her children safely by her side throughout the ordeal. She arrived at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where immigration officials began her resettlement process. Shortly after arriving, Anahita discovered something that would change her life and impact her family forever.
Credits
Martin Montgomery
Director/Cinematographer/Editor
David E. Powers
Producer
Jawad Wahabzada
Producer
Emmy Award Winner
HEARD
News coverage offers steady, lurid stories of violence, gangs and drugs in public housing. But to many Americans, public housing and urban poverty are “issues” that remain out of sight and out of mind.
In HEARD, these issues take on human faces. We get to know current and former residents of the projects and hear them tell their own compelling stories. We see how they’re surviving and thriving in spite of… and often because of the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
Belltower Pictures developed and produced the film with major funding provided by VPM. HEARD is distributed nationally by American Public Television.
HEARD Bonus Features
6 bonus clips, each approximately 3 minutes
T.J. Thompson on Violence
T. J. Thompson talks about the prevalence of violence in public housing projects… and why residents don’t respond favorably to the police.
Who you gonna tell you’re afraid?
In public housing communities, where violence is a daily reality, there’s pressure to not ask for help and not admit fear. Richmond radio personality Clovia Lawrence says people from outside the community often come in to help, but don’t recognize that the greatest need of residents is genuine love.
Why is drug dealing so common in the projects?
Why do people deal drugs? For Von Johnson and his friends, dealing drugs was a way to survive, make friends and lift themselves out of poverty. They didn’t realize the long-term impact at the time. But now, Von is mentoring young boys and letting them know there’s another way.
Violence in the projects
The news has been sharing stories of violence, gangs and drugs in America’s urban housing for decades, but how do residents survive and thrive? HEARD shares the inspiring human stories within the issues.
There’s more to the story
How can a story change your perspective? Cotina Brake grew up in public housing, but she wants you to know there is so much more to the community than what you hear on the evening news.
HEARD Premiere for Storytellers
A brief clip of the September 27, 2020 premiere of the documentary HEARD, for the storytellers who appeared in the film.
By The Grace of Bob
Let there be lights, camera, action!
When his youth pastor sells him on the virtues of making a movie that will help grow his congregation and the collection plates, Brother Bob risks his standing with Church Elders, and his father’s legacy, to roll cameras. The cast and crew are a motley mash up that includes a gay costume designer, an African-American cameraman, Muslim actors and homeless extras. Through it all, though, Brother Bob and his cohorts discover that the play is NOT the thing. The community of diverse people from all backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities is the real reward, teaching Brother Bob and his church a more valuable lesson — above all, love one another.
Get Involved
Be Part of Our Next Film
Join us in creating our next impactful story. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to collaborate with.
Submit Film Ideas
Have a story that needs to be told? We’d love to hear your ideas for meaningful, impactful films.
Use Our Films
Interested in screening our films for your organization or event? Contact us for licensing information.