Documentarian Ry Levey (Out in the Ring, Boutique: To Preserve and Collect) has a new documentary primed and ready to hit the festival.
Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music will have its world premiere at the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival in April. On that announcement, the official trailer and poster were revealed today.
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 global hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities.
This is an interesting one because, while it may not fall within our regular genre wheelhouse, we are reminded that we met ScreenAnarchy founder Todd Brown at a Christian college, and the common bond between us at the time was Christian music. So invested were we in the scene that Summer road trips into the U.S. for days-long music festivals were an annual occurrence.
But now we are far removed from that scene, so much so that we don’t recognize any of the subjects in Levey’s doc. It is still an interesting subject to tackle, as fundamentalist congregations seemingly yell louder than affirming ones. Check out the trailer below.
The official theatrical trailer and poster have been released for Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music, a powerful new documentary exploring the hidden cost of authenticity within the Christian music industry. The film will make its World Premiere in Competition at the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival, running April 9–18, 2026, marking a major milestone for the feature.
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 global hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities.
The release of the trailer and poster offers the first public look at the film’s intimate interviews, archival material, and contemporary performances, signaling a bold, emotionally resonant theatrical experience.
The Cleveland International Film Festival, now celebrating its 50th edition, is one of the longest-running and most respected film festivals in North America. Founded in 1977, CIFF has built a reputation for championing bold, socially engaged storytelling and introducing audiences to films that spark conversation, reflection, and cultural impact. Its competitive sections regularly highlight emerging voices and important documentaries from around the world.
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.
Additional festival screenings, theatrical release plans, and impact initiatives will be announced following the Cleveland premiere.
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