Alexander Ludwig, Emma Roberts to Star in Hal, Drama Inspired by Founding of Convoy of Hope

Alexander Ludwig (Vikings) and Emma Roberts (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) are set to star in Hal, a feature drama inspired by the true story behind the founding of humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope.

Mark Williams (Ozark, The Accountant) is directing the film from a script by Mark Edwin Robinson. Produced by Zero Gravity Management, the project centers on Hal Donaldson, a journalist shaped by early adversity who believes his voice and his work as a storyteller are his means of making sense of the world. When he meets Doree, a gifted musician, their relationship becomes a grounding force as Hal’s career takes him into regions defined by hardship and crisis.

As he encounters inequality and human suffering firsthand, Hal begins to question the limits of simply documenting events. The distinction between bearing witness and taking action gradually dissolves, pushing him toward a purpose that demands more than reporting alone. That journey ultimately sets the stage for the creation of Convoy of Hope.

Founded in 1994, Convoy of Hope has since delivered hundreds of millions of meals and helped provide clean water to millions of people worldwide. Active in dozens of countries, the organization is known for its large-scale disaster response efforts, long-term community development initiatives and ability to forge public-private partnerships to reach vulnerable populations.