The film is the work of a new Catholic production company called Metanoia Films.

Atlanta, June 8, 2007. A new film called Bella, by a first-time director and featuring a cast virtually unknown in the U.S., is creating a lot of buzz and excitement on its way to opening in theaters this August. The Mexican actor Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard enjoyed being part of this unusual project. The movie will be screened at the Youth and Family Encounter in Atlanta in late July.

Bella tells the emotional story of two people whose lives are forever changed and come to discover that sometimes in life, it takes losing everything to truly appreciate the things that matter the most.

The film is the directorial debut of Alejandro Monteverde and recently won the Toronto Film Festival, where it was the recipient of the “People’s Choice” award. This award puts Bella in the exclusive company of such Oscar-winning films as Chariots of Fire, American Beauty, Life is Beautiful and Hotel Rwanda. The film was also recently honored by the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Mexican Embassy and the White House.            

The film is the work of a new Catholic production company called Metanoia Films. Metanoia’s self-described mission is to “make movies that matter and have the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Jon Foreman, the lead singer and guitarist of the band Switchfoot, decided to donate two songs to the movie soundtrack to help contribute to the mission of making movies that matter after screening the film.                

Bella was pitched to Hollywood and was

	“Each person involved believed that this was a special film and took a leap of faith,”

soundly rejected, so five Catholic filmmakers risked their own money to make the first film, of what they hope are many, under the Metanoia name.      

“The film is about how one day in New York City changed three people’s lives forever,” said producer Sean Wolfington, a Regnum Christi member, who helped finance the film. “They discover that sometimes it takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter”.

“Each person involved believed that this was a special film and took a leap of faith,” said Wolfington. “The lead actor, the director and the lead actress all had other projects they could have done, but they all felt they were supposed to do this film.”

After seeing the film, producer Steve McEveety (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, The Passion of the Christ) signed on as an Executive Producer to help market the film. This is his first film since leaving Mel Gibson´s Icon productions.

In light of the fact that Hollywood turned a deaf ear to Bella; the producers have embarked on a grassroots marketing effort to generate excitement. Churches have been very receptive to the film because the movie celebrates Christian values and is a love story that incorporates faith.

	“The film is about how one day in New York City changed three people’s lives forever,”

The grassroots efforts have already resulted in hundreds of theaters being pre-purchased for exclusive screenings prior to the film’s opening weekend this August. 

“I have not seen this type of audience response and support since The Passion,” said Steve McEveety. “While The Passion showed how Christ died for us, Bella shows how we should live for others.”

There is great hope among many that Bella will follow in the footsteps of Chariots of Fire, a little-known film some twenty five years ago, that went on to win the Toronto Film Festival and then an Oscar. Chariots of Fire was also the work of a first time director and also featured unknown actors.

For more information of the film, visit www.BellaTheMovie.com

For more information on the Youth and Family Encounter, visit www.YFE.org