Where There is Darkness screening at New Hope Film Festival, Pennsylvania

New Hope Film Festival to screen award-winning true crime documentary Where There is Darkness later this month.

Where There is Darkness, a feature-length documentary by Stella Mar Films, is coming to New Hope Film Festival on July 26. Since completion last year, the film has been selected by over 50 film festivals and has won more than 30 awards.

The true-crime docudrama combines archive footage, re-enactments and eyewitness accounts to tell the story of Fr. Rene Robert, a beloved priest who went missing from St. Augustine, Florida in 2016.

The film tells the story of Fr. Rene’s ministry and work with the poor in St. Augustine, whilst also delving into the dark childhood of Steven Murray, the man who kidnapped him.

Documenting the nationwide search for Fr. Rene and a series of shocking revelations, the film culminates in the discovery of a 20-year-old letter in which Fr. Rene seems to predict his fate and forgive Steven.

Stella Mar Films are delighted to have the documentary screened at the New Hope Film Festival and Sean Bloomfield, the writer and director of Where There is Darkness, will be there to present the film and answer questions from the audience.

Audiences describe the film as both “riveting” and “challenging.” One recent viewer commented that seeing the Where There Is Darkness “was the most emotionally powerful experience I’ve ever had in a movie theater.”

The filmmakers hope that the film will captivate viewers at the festival as well.