Three crosses silhouetted on a hilltop against a golden sunset, soldiers and mourners gathered below — a still from the film

A FEATURE FILMThe Thiefon the Cross

A condemned man, a dying Savior, and one final offer of mercy. The untold story of the thief whose last day on earth became his first day in Heaven.

Currently raising funds for production to meet an Easter 2028 theatrical release.

Funding Raised$4.5M of $8M →Proof of Concept Filmed in MoroccoFrom the book Heaven, How I Got HereTarget release Easter 2028

Watch the trailer.

His life was filled with failure. His final hours were filled with hope.

The trailer · starts silent, tap for sound

No soul is ever too lost to be found.

Dismas is a thief consumed by hate and a thirst for revenge. His last day on earth places him a few feet from Jesus Christ, crucified beside the man whose mercy will change everything. As he battles regret, pain, and the weight of his choices, he is offered one final chance at redemption.

The story has already travelled far: a sermon, a bestselling book in fifteen languages, a stage play seen by millions. The feature film is its fullest telling yet.

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”Luke 23:43

Read the story and why it matters

Dismas, hooded and pensive in warm candlelight — a still from the film — Dismas, from the short film.

The cameras have already begun rolling.

Jesus, crowned with thorns and bloodied, in a still from the film

A story with a track record

Colin Smith's Heaven, How I Got Here has been shared more than 250,000 times in fifteen languages, has been heard on radio stations all over the world, and held a live stage performance in Chicago, the video recording of which has reached millions more in thirty languages.

Sunlight breaks over a mountain valley in Morocco at dawn — a still from the film

Short Film Proof of Concept

In the summer of 2025, a full crew travelled to Morocco to produce a 22-minute proof of concept for the soon-to-be major motion picture. Please register today for one of our upcoming briefings where you will get an exclusive private screening, and experience firsthand the emotional feature film we're inviting you to join.

The crew on location in Morocco, behind the scenes

A team that gets films made

Producer, Director, and Writer Trey Reynolds has been part of several blockbuster faith films such as Overcomer, Blue Miracle, and The Forge. The Executive Producers are led by Pastor Colin Smith and John Aiello of Open the Bible.

Meet the team

A first look at the film.

Frames from footage already shot on location in Morocco — full cast, sets, costumes, and an original score.

See the full 22-minute short? Register for a Briefing →

Dismas looking up in his final hours — a still from the film — Dismas, in his final hours.

Jesus, in a still from the film — Jesus — the dying Savior.

A Roman centurion — a still from the film — The centurion who kept the watch.

A father and son at the olive harvest — a still from the film — A father and his son, before the hate.

A Roman commander by torchlight — a still from the film — Rome's command, by torchlight.

The gates of Jerusalem at dusk — a still from the film — The gates of Jerusalem, at dusk.

From book to screen.

2011–2015
The book
A Luke 23 sermon became Heaven, How I Got Here; fifteen languages, 250,000+ copies shared. The book
The stage
The play
The book went to the stage, with Stephen Baldwin among the cast, and to radio audiences in the millions.
Fall 2025
The short
Trey Reynolds completed the feature screenplay; a full crew filmed the 22-minute proof of concept short in Morocco. See behind the scenes shots of the filming.
Next
Principal photography
Cameras roll when funding closes, targeting an Easter 2028 theatrical release.

Funding Snapshot

Where the funding stands.

The full production budget for the feature film is $8 million. While we will need to raise all $8 million, we can start filming once we get to a commitment level of $6.5 million, knowing that we will ultimately receive a rebate of roughly $1.5 million from filming in Morocco.

$4.5 million was committed in the first three months, nearly all through Donor-Advised Funds. Heaven Films is seeking the remaining commitments now. Production begins when we have met the goal.

Our team is prayerfully targeting Easter 2028 for release in theaters and then a likely move to streaming platforms thereafter, similar to the path taken by recent faith features.

How investing works: DAFs, foundations, and the full plan

$4.5M of $8M needed for production

56% committed$3.5M remaining

Full production budget$8M

Expected Morocco production rebate≈ $1.5M

Commitments needed to start filming$6.5M

Help put this story in theaters.

Join the filmmakers on a group Zoom: see more of the film, hear where the money and the schedule stand, ask anything.

Reviewing for a spouse, advisor, or foundation? Send it on with one tap.