The riveting film that drew standing-room only crowds at film festivals unveiled its trailer and artwork. 'Little Hope Was Arson' is a film-part detective documentary about a town in Texas whose churches were set on fire by a bunch of young men seeking revenge.

The documentary is about a wave of church burnings that swept through East Texas in 2010. Distribution company, The Orchard, and production companies theCollaborate and Goodnight Smoke, will debut the part faith film-November 21 in New York, and November 23, in the heart of East Texas where the story unfolded.

The film's release will spread to Los Angeles, and a number of other cities including several in Texas, on November 28. 'Little Hope Was Arson' addresses the ten East Texas churches set ablaze by some young men that declared war on the religious community. The fires sparked the largest manhunt in regional history. However, once the crime was solved, the real mystery began. What drove two young men to do it? What effect did it have on their families and the churches? And when a church loses its building . . . can it still stand?

"From the moment I read about these fires, I knew there was a redemptive story that could rise from these violent and tragic acts," said Theo Love, the film's director, "When churches and families face such loss-of property and relationships-it can turn attention to what really matters."

The film was produced by Trenton Waterson of theCollaborate and Love of Goodnight Smoke, 'Little Hope Was Arson' is executive produced by Bryan Storkel.

PBS' Independent Lens, with U.S. broadcast rights, will air the feature-length documentary during its 2014-15 season. Film and music distributor, The Orchard, acquired U.S. and Canadian rights other than broadcast and will release the film in theaters in multiple markets and through digital outlets.

Love, the child of foreign missionaries, was particularly attracted to the story as he was raised worshipping overseas most often without the benefit of a church building. Returned to the states, he worked in building maintenance for a California mega-church.

"It was a huge sanctuary, and I often worked in it alone at night," Love recalls, "It really made me consider the values of Western Christianity. Was that the church? Or is it the people? It was these experiences and questions that helped me to dig deeper into this heartbreaking story."

'Little Hope Was Arson' weaves thought-provoking questions throughout a gripping true-crime drama, in which communities are challenged, families brought to crisis and, ultimately, redemption sought.

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED OPENINGS

Nov. 21, 2014
New York Cinema Village

Nov. 23, 2014
Tyler, Texas Liberty Hall

Nov. 25, 2014
Oakland Calif. New Parkway Cinema

Nov. 28, 2014
Los Angeles Laemmle Noho 7
San Diego Media Arts Center
San Francisco Roxie Theater
Portland, Ore. Clinton Street Theater
Dallas Texas Theatre
Houston Drafthouse Vintage Park
Austin Drafthouse Slaughter Lane
Lubbock Drafthouse Lubbock
New Braunfels, Texas Drafthouse New Braunfels
Burlington, Iowa Capitol Theater

Dec. 5, 2014
Columbus Gateway Film Center
New Orleans Zeitgeist Arts Center
Edom, Texas Old Firehouse
Juneau, Alaska Gold Town Nickelodeon
Tallahassee, Fla. All Saints Cinema

Watch the chilling trailer below: