Rolling Stone Movies and Documentary+ have acquired “The Non secular Advisor,” a 23-minute documentary that can premiere at DOC NYC on November 16 on the IFC Heart. The movie, directed by Joel Fendelman and produced by James Chase Sanchez, follows Rev. Jeff Hood, a priest and death-penalty activist who serves as a religious advisor to loss of life row inmates.
Filmed over 5 days in September 2024, the documentary tracks Hood as he travels to Oklahoma to advocate for clemency for Emmanuel Littlejohn, a person scheduled for execution. The movie relies on the March 2025 Rolling Stone story “The Final Face Demise Row Inmates See” by Brenna Ehrlich (you possibly can learn it proper right here).
The documentary captures Hood’s work on two fronts: trying to stop the execution whereas concurrently making ready Littlejohn for loss of life if the clemency effort fails. Fendelman’s digital camera follows Hood by means of jail visits, prayer classes, and conferences with state officers.
Hood, an Outdated Catholic priest based mostly in Little Rock, has been arrested a number of instances for his activism towards capital punishment. In 2024, he served as religious advisor to Kenneth Smith, who was executed in Alabama utilizing nitrogen gasoline — the state’s first execution by that technique.
“Joel Fendelman has crafted a movie that examines the intersection of perception, justice, and conscience,” stated Alexandra Dale, Head of Rolling Stone Movies, in an official assertion.
Fendelman beforehand directed “Man on Hearth” in 2017. The brand new documentary was produced by A Pound of Snow Productions in affiliation with Rolling Stone Movies and Documentary+. After its premiere at DOC NYC, “The Non secular Advisor” will stream early subsequent 12 months on Rolling Stone’s web site and YouTube channel.
Rolling Stone Movies’ current work contains “Little Richard: I Am All the things,” which gained an Emmy for Excellent Arts & Tradition Documentary in 2023.
