Ry Levey Directed Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music to premiere at Cleveland International Film Festival And Julien Dubuque international Film Festival
Cleveland OH/Dubuque IA – The powerful new documentary Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music will celebrate its World Premiere in Competition at the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival, taking place April 9–18, 2026, followed by its Iowa Premiere at the 15th Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, running April 18–25, 2026.
Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music uncovers the untold stories of million selling Christian music artists who bravely came out, only to have their careers cancelled or cut short by the industry they helped define. Alongside these silenced icons, the film spotlights a new generation of openly queer musicians reshaping faith based music by bypassing traditional Christian radio and breaking through on platforms like iTunes and Spotify, where they are topping Christian charts and reaching audiences hungry for authenticity.
At the intersection of faith, identity, and artistry, the documentary examines how queer voices are challenging long standing power structures while creating a more inclusive soundtrack for the faithful amid rising hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities.
Now celebrating its 50th edition, the Cleveland International Film Festival is one of the longest running and most respected film festivals in North America. Founded in 1977, the festival has built a reputation for championing bold, socially engaged storytelling and introducing audiences to films that spark conversation, reflection, and cultural impact.
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, now in its 15th year, has rapidly grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected showcases for independent cinema. Founded in 2012, the festival brings filmmakers from around the world to historic downtown Dubuque for a weeklong celebration of storytelling, screenings, industry panels, and cultural events.
Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music is an RBL Films / Orama Filmworks production. The film is directed by Ry Levey and produced by Ry Levey, James Carson, and Cheryl Staurulakis. It is executive produced by Cheryl Staurulakis for Orama Filmworks, with co executive producers Brett Butler and Jason Butler for Substance Production.
The documentary features Billy Newton-Davis, Marsha Stevens-Pino, Ray Boltz, Semler, Trey Pearson, Flamy Grant, Ricky Braddy, Diedre Gray, Ronté Pierce, Jess Grace Garcia, Azariah Southworth, Jason Warner, DeMarco DeCiccio, Ross Murray, and Derek Webb.
Additional festival screenings, theatrical release plans, and impact initiatives will be announced following the Cleveland premiere.
https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/song-silenced-coming-out-in-christian-music-2026/