A new Christmas film shot in Winnipeg and directed by The Chosen's Dallas Jenkins was recognized over the weekend at the 2025 Movieguide Awards.
Based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings, the Herdmans, who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant.
The film shows viewers how the mischievous stars unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever took home the award for Best Family Film of 2024.
Meanwhile, Joel Smallbone won the Grace Movie Award for his portrayal of his father in Unsung Hero.
"Unsung Hero is a testimony of not only my parents' faith, obviously first and foremost, but it's a testament of people rallying around something greater than themselves. It's a testament of family. It's a testament of what happened behind the camera," said Joel as he accepted the award. "I believe that we can make the best art in the world that is driven by faith. I believe it with everything in me and I believe that day is coming, but what I want people to say about us is 'Man, that was a great film, but you know what the best part for me was, what happened behind the camera. They loved each other and they cheered each other on.' Thank you for this."
Jesse Hutch, a Canadian actor from Alberta, was presented with the Grace Prize Award for TV.
"It feels a bit as though God is encouraging me. kinda felt like a way for me to take a compliment from the Lord because sometimes you question what you're doing. So this is kinda a little something that to me feels like the Lord saying 'Please keep going,'" said Hutch.
The 2025 Movieguide Awards were announced on Thursday, March6, 2025.