--- title: Missions Upside Down gains momentum with national and international recognition date: 2025-07-10T14:21:00-05:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/missions-upside-down-gains-momentum-with-national-and-international-recognition" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Research and Scholarship](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=research-and-scholarship) Jul 10, 2025 # Missions Upside Down gains momentum with national and international recognition Missions Upside Down (MUD), a six-part series offering practical insights into Christian missions, has been acknowledged by a range of film festivals and competitions. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/04-SEQ-080524_colored_092024_0034.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=e16e96b1&v=6a58b7c89160f474e59e201f1f20d6e5df20fc1ae7825244f60b6d338967b745) ![]()Just months after its release, [Missions Upside Down](https://missionsupsidedown.com/) (MUD) is already making a significant impact—receiving accolades from both secular competitions and Christian film festivals. The six-part video series, created to equip Christians with a broader perspective and practical resources for missions, went live earlier this year and continues to draw recognition for its quality and impact. MUD has been recognized not only for its high production values but also for its bold, refreshing take on global missions. With content that is both compelling and valuable, MUD is quickly becoming a standout resource in faith-based media. #### Competition Recognition and Awards MUD has earned multiple awards across well-respected competitions judged by peers and media professionals from around the country and world: - [**Viddy Awards**](https://viddyawards.com/): gold in “Religious/Spiritual," gold in “Pro Bono" - [**The Telly Awards**](https://www.tellyawards.com/): silver in “Religion and Spirituality," bronze in “Education and Discovery” - [**The Communicator Awards**](https://www.communicatorawards.com/home/): Award of Excellence in “Series—Religion/Spiritual," Award of Excellence in “Web Video Series" - [**Hermes Creative Awards**](https://hermesawards.com/): platinum in “Curriculum—The Great Commission” “These are all secular competitions with judges from across the country and world,” says Mark Volkers, instructor of digital media production at Dordt and co-producer of MUD. “This recognition speaks volumes about the quality of the work.” #### **Film Festival Recognition and Awards** The series has also been recognized at several Christian film festivals: - **Christian Online Film Festival:** Award Winner: Web Series or Episode - **Faith in Film: International Film Festival and Screenwriting Competition:** Official Selection - **Religion Faith International Film Festival:** Award of Outstanding Excellence for Editing - **Hard Faith Film Festival:** Award of Excellence for Cinematography - **Roma Spiritual Film Festival:** Official Selection - **International Christian Film and Music Festival:** Official Selection “In these festivals, being chosen as an ‘Official Selection’ already puts you among a very select group,” says Volkers. “From there, additional awards—like Best Editing or People’s Choice—are decided by festival judges.” ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/PXL_20230726_002941159.MP.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=ef75db39&v=ff1953085361fa13c3f14a6dc56d39f8b2280e123c8561c043d3a88ac457e9a5) According to Aaron Baart, chief of staff at Dordt and co-producer of MUD, the series stands out not only for its technical execution but also for the challenging questions it raises. “The cinematography, production value, and editing are being noticed and appreciated by professionals in the field. But in terms of content, we’re reclaiming the importance of missions while examining the traditional paradigm—especially the model of sending Western missionaries abroad. It’s that shift in framing that people seem to be finding most compelling.” With a growing list of honors and a message that resonates across generations and cultures, *Missions Upside Down* is proving itself a timely and thought-provoking contribution to the global conversation on missions and God’s redemptive plan for all corners of the world. To learn more, view the series and resources, or find a full list of MUD’s recognitions and awards, visit . --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2025-iTIP-award-Chelsea-Lerud-Jeff-Zomer.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.4591-0.2736&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=a8523d5b&v=1ab77dd20ba4a816af02f3e3b6504832560b660f98b69414d161680671a52643) Notable Jul 14, 2025 ## Award recognizes American State Bank Sports Complex for service Recognized for its excellent service and growing statewide reputation as a premier indoor event facility, the American State Bank Sports Complex in Sioux Center, Iowa received the 2025 iTIP Service Excellence award. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/award-recognizes-american-state-bank-sports-complex-for-service) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/DSC_6085.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=f848487c&v=75b509db5b63681de1f3a2d6fe269c9440065de17ef036d192b4ea62bd8d7488) Academics Jul 08, 2025 ## Dordt professor emeritus of theology recognized as one of Calvin Theological Seminary’s distinguished alumni Recognized for his global impact in Reformed teaching and ministry, Rev. Dr. Jay Shim, professor emeritus of theology at Dordt University, was named a 2025 distinguished alumnus by Calvin Theological Seminary. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-professor-emeritus-of-theology-recognized-as-one-of-calvin-theological-seminarys-distinguished-alumni) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>