EXCLUSIVE: Holiday faith drama The One, starring screen legend Martin Sheen (The West Wing) and actress-singer Jana Kramer (One Tree Hill), has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Hawk Hill Pictures, which will release the movie in theaters nationwide on November 5, 2026.
The release date coincides with National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, bringing attention to the film’s story of an 18-year-old navigating homelessness after aging out of the Chicago foster system.
Filmed in Oklahoma with incentives from The Film in Oklahoma Act, pic is directed by Lisa Arnold and produced by Erin Elizabeth Cook (who also co-stars), and Adam Ropp. Also starring are Olivia Sanabia Nick Zano, and Indigenous musician and actor Noah Redclay. The movie also marks the feature-film debut of Ashlyn Tomlin, daughter of singer Chris Tomlin.
The synopsis reads: “When 18-year-old Hawk ages out of the Chicago foster system, he sets out to see the lighting of the country’s largest Christmas tree, the One. Carrying only his guitar, he faces potential homelessness, undiagnosed PTSD, and a harsh winter alone until he crosses paths with Jefferson, a mysterious traveler, and Alexis, a runaway teenager grieving the loss of her twin sister. Together, they embark on an unexpected journey of faith, hope and healing.”
“From the moment we encountered this story, we were captivated,” said Jen Katzfey, President of Hawk Hill Pictures. “It is inspiring, beautifully acted, and shines an important light on a subject that deserves to be seen and heard. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this powerful film exclusively to theaters and give audiences the opportunity to experience it on the big screen.”
In conjunction with the movie’s release, the filmmakers have partnered with For Others, the nonprofit founded by Tomlin and his wife, that works to raise awareness of the child welfare crisis in America.
