VANCOUVER, British Columbia - iSportsWire -- In its first-ever wide theatrical release, Unveils Studios' independently produced biblical epic Daniel and the Fiery Furnace opened in sixth place at the North American box office, earning an estimated $3.3 million over the September 18–20 weekend, exceeding the film's $2 million production budget.

Written and directed by Canadian filmmakers Matthew and Daniel Kooman of Vancouver Island the independent Unveil Studios film outpaced far larger studio titles to land in the top 10. It finished as the No. 1 independent film and the No. 1 faith-based film in North America for the weekend.

The result is a rare underdog story in the film world. Made on a fraction of a typical studio budget and financed primarily through one of the largest independent faith-based crowdfunding campaigns of all time, Daniel and the Fiery Furnace recouped its production cost before its first Monday in theatres.

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Opening Weekend at a Glance

• North American box office rank: 6th
• Opening weekend gross: $3.3 million
• Production budget: $2 million
• No. 1 independent film in North America
• No. 1 faith-based film in North America
• Canadian playdates: approximately 50 Canadian screens on opening weekend
• U.S. Screenings: approximately 1,500 US screens on opening weekend

"We made this film because we believed audiences want to see beloved stories from the Bible brought to the big screen and  hunger for stories of faith under fire," said directors Matthew and Daniel Kooman. "To watch a crowd-funded Canadian picture open ahead of much bigger studio films is humbling. People showed up. That's the miracle on our side of the screen."

Lead actor Mena Massoud (Aladdin), who portrays the prophet Daniel, is Egyptian-Canadian — born in Cairo and raised in the Greater Toronto Area. The film is produced by the Kooman brothers alongside Travis Mann (executive producer of I Can Only Imagine and Reagan) and Massoud. Michael W. Smith serves as executive producer. EKKL Entertainment is the distributor.

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Daniel and the Fiery Furnace tells the origin story of the prophet Daniel in exile in Babylon. When a ruthless king demands absolute worship under penalty of death, three faithful men — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — refuse to bow and are cast into a blazing furnace. Their defiance becomes a miracle seen around the world.

The film continues in theatres this week, including Landmark Cinemas and Cineplex theatre locations across Canada.

For the latest screening information and to purchase tickets, visit the official film website Daniel.Movie and local theatre listings.