Rolling Stone Films and Documentary+ have acquired “The Spiritual Advisor,” a 23-minute documentary that will premiere at DOC NYC on November 16 at the IFC Center. The film, directed by Joel Fendelman and produced by James Chase Sanchez, follows Rev. Jeff Hood, a priest and death-penalty activist who serves as a spiritual advisor to death row inmates.
Filmed over five days in September 2024, the documentary tracks Hood as he travels to Oklahoma to advocate for clemency for Emmanuel Littlejohn, a man scheduled for execution. The film is based on the March 2025 Rolling Stone story “The Last Face Death Row Inmates See” by Brenna Ehrlich (you can read it right here).
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The documentary captures Hood’s work on two fronts: attempting to prevent the execution while simultaneously preparing Littlejohn for death if the clemency effort fails. Fendelman’s camera follows Hood through prison visits, prayer sessions, and meetings with state officials.
Hood, an Old Catholic priest based in Little Rock, has been arrested multiple times for his activism against capital punishment. In 2024, he served as spiritual advisor to Kenneth Smith, who was executed in Alabama using nitrogen gas — the state’s first execution by that method.
“Joel Fendelman has crafted a film that examines the intersection of belief, justice, and conscience,” said Alexandra Dale, Head of Rolling Stone Films, in an official statement.
Fendelman previously directed “Man on Fire” in 2017. The new documentary was produced by A Pound of Snow Productions in association with Rolling Stone Films and Documentary+. After its premiere at DOC NYC, “The Spiritual Advisor” will stream early next year on Rolling Stone’s website and YouTube channel and on Documentary+.
Rolling Stone Films’ recent work includes “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” which won an Emmy for Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary in 2023.
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