Contact: Victor Pap, 617-212-1302

CHICAGO, June 5, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The first full-length documentary on the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje to hit the Big Screen, 'The Triumph' is now slated for release in 5 countries. Working through an extensive grassroots network of 'Marian Messengers,' the film is hitting screens in Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Canada in addition to the U.S. In its first month, The Triumph has come to over 30 audiences in nearly 2 dozen cities across the globe, raising over $10,000 for parishes and ministries across the U.S. and overseas.

"The film is having a major impact on dialogue during the Year of Faith," Sean Bloomfield told South African radio hosts in an interview before the continent's premiere on Radio Veritas. People are so amazed that such a strong message of hope can also be so real -- it's really touching the audience in ways that I never anticipated."

The response seems contrary to what would be expected on a topic that draws so much controversy and is even considered taboo by many. The reactions signal the filmmakers seem to have achieved their goal in presenting a work that cannot be considered propaganda due to the extensive interviews with priests, skeptics and so thoroughly explores the scientific analysis and testimonies from those who might not even consider themselves Catholic. In hoping that people watch the film with an open mind, the filmmakers point to the significance of the facts.

"This is without a doubt one of the greatest Historical and Spiritual Phenomenons that has ever happened in the history of mankind and the great thing about it is that it is happening right now, during our time -- during your time. We felt it was very important to allow the audience to explore the phenomenon for themselves with an open mind and an open heart and then decide what to make of it," said Zaid Jazrawi. "Explore the controversy and ask yourself: Is it a hoax?"

Since 1981, Medjugorje has received over 30 million visitors and remains the largest active confessional in the world. Because the apparitions allegedly continue to this day through a number of the visionaries, the Church has not authenticated the reported experiences. This has made Medjugorje controversial and in some instances even taboo. While the Church Magesterium may not issue any kind of ruling until the purported apparitions cease, that hasn't had any effect on the growing number of 'informal' pilgrimages from across the Globe.

"The long-running and highly controversial apparitions at Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina have made Catholics worldwide stop to consider what they really believe," notes Michael O'Neill, who has studied Marian Apparitions extensively and oversees MiracleHunter.com. "Prudence in these matters is essential but it would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of Marian apparitions in the life of the Church. Throughout the history of the Church, apparition stories have been woven into the fabric of tradition and played a significant role in the lives of the faithful as evidenced by millions of conversions...and the origination of devotionals (including the rosary)."

The film's director, whose work also includes If Only We Had Listened with Immaculée Ilibagiza and the film's co-creator Zaid Jazrawi have criss-crossed the country and personally introduced the film. During the first month of the film's official release, they discovered there were potential audiences who might be unable to see the film in a theater.

"One of the people who saw the film was so moved because she had a personal connection to Cenacolo, one of the ministries featured in the film," said Mr. Jazrawi. "She said 'I want to send this film to others who might be in Cenacolo centers around the world,' and I wondered just how we could do that -- how could we bring the film to prisons, rehabilitation centers, cloistered religious and other potential audiences who might be 'hidden' or unable to see it in a theater."

"That's when we decided to launch a crowd-funding campaign designed to bring this film to those audiences and what better time to launch it than when we confirmed our 5th country," said Mr. Bloomfield. "It's an ambitious goal, but if we can bring this message of hope to every corner of the globe, why not -- that's what the New Evangelization is really about -- talking to folks who don't yet know how much God loves them."