A film by Grove City College alumnus William Hearn ’26 that wrestles with the challenges and questions surrounding America’s future is arriving just in time for the nation’s 250 anniversary.
“The Impossible Dream” is being released June 27 on YouTube. The film tells the stories of real Americans, their struggles and triumphs, and the faith that animates them. It asks what the American dream is, whether it still exists today, and what must be done to make sure it lives on.
The film started as pitch to The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College from Hearn, who was one of IFF’s student fellows. He wanted to make a feature length film that “helps to articulate the American Dream” from practical, scholarly, and historic perspectives, according to IFF Communications and Events Coordinator Olivia McGalla ’23, who also serves as a producer on “The Impossible Dream.”
IFF and Hearn’s Forge Media Group produced and financed the film, which had its premiere in April as part of the IFF’s annual conference on the United States’ 250th anniversary. That national milestone and a growing public sense that the American dream might be out of reach prompted Hearn’s cinematic efforts.
“I think we're at a pivotal point where, according to Pew Research, roughly half of Americans believe the American Dream is dead. That seems like a tipping point where people are losing faith in the principles and mission of America. My goal with this film is to convince people that the American Dream is more achievable than they realize. That's really the heart of the film,” Hearn said.
“The film’s title is a play on the fact that many people today think the American Dream is impossible. But America is the one place where the impossible is possible,” he said.
“The Impossible Dream” features interviews with farmers, entrepreneurs, social media influencers, political commentators, and others who illuminate and exemplify the American dream and show that the hope and beliefs that built this nation are still alive today.
“Because it's the 250th birthday of the country, we wanted to lean into stories of everyday Americans and celebrate them. At the end of the day, that's what the country is really about. My ultimate goal is for the viewers to leave the film feeling a sense of hope and encouragement.”
Grove City College professor of Political Science Paul Kengor, an executive producer of the film, said Hearn is a talented and gifted filmmaker.
“He’s also representative of the kind of talent and students of character that come to Grove City College and that we produce at Grove City,” said Kengor, who serves as IFF’s executive director and chief academic fellow.
“This documentary is a splendid work. Sometimes it takes a 20-something young person to remind Americans of all ages how and why their country is exceptional and that the American dream is alive and well in 2026. Leave it to a Grove City College student to explain that to the world,” he said.
Hearn and his wife and business partner Madison Hearn wrote and directed the film, which also credits Grove City College Professor of History Dr. Jason Edwards as a writer and IFF Senior Director Robert Rider as a producer.
Hearn has led the production of multiple documentaries around the world and is CEO of Homer Cinema, a branding and media company, and Forge Media Group, which he created to produce “The Impossible Dream.”
“The goal of Forge Media Group is to tell the stories that Hollywood won't touch,” he said. “Conservatives and Christians have largely given up the arena of film and media to the left, and I think we need to tell the stories that Americans actually care about.”
To learn more about “The Impossible Dream,” visit 250film.com.