HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - s4story -- Award-winning recording artist, educator, actor, and filmmaker Carl Brister today announced the upcoming global premiere of his most ambitious project to date: "Hello", a cinematic reinterpretation of Lionel Richie's timeless love song. The cinematic music short film is set to premiere worldwide on Friday, July 17, 2026, on YouTube.

Inspired by the film's power statement - "I want to wake up every day with you being the one I say hello to" - the short film explores love and its vulnerability through a rich, narrative-driven presentation. It transforms one of popular music's most beloved classics into an emotionally powerful story about the moments we too often take for granted.

Told through the experiences of military service members and the families who love them, "Hello" examines the obstacles people must overcome to embrace human connection when they find it. The film reminds us that behind every uniform, and behind every relationship, is a human heart longing to love and be loved.

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"One of the central ideas in 'Hello' is captured in two lines from the film: 'I want to wake up every day with you being the one I say hello to,' and 'Behind every uniform, there's a human heart,'" says Carl Brister.

" 'Hello' reminds us that love, and simply having the opportunity to say 'hello' to the people we cherish each day, is a gift we often take for granted. I'm proud this story honors military service members and the families whose sacrifices often include missed moments, missed milestones, and time they can never get back. At its heart, 'Hello' is a tribute to love, resilience, sacrifice, and the hope of making it home to say 'hello' again."

Directed by visionary filmmaker Fredy Mfuko, "Hello" marks the third creative collaboration between Mfuko and Brister, following their acclaimed work on Will Be Spring Again and Colorblind. Filmed on location across scenic New Jersey landmarks — including Verona Park and Weequahic Park - the production brings Carl Brister's powerful cinematic vision to life.

The reimagined musical arrangement was developed by Carl Brister in collaboration with acclaimed guitarist Ricky Persaud Jr., whose expressive guitar performance helps shape the emotional landscape of the film while honoring the spirit of Lionel Richie's original composition. The film stars Carl Brister alongside actress Natasha M. Gallop, who together give powerful and vulnerable performances that capture the joy, uncertainty, sacrifice, and hope found in enduring love.

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More than a music video, "Hello" is a cinematic reminder that love often asks us to wait, to sacrifice, and to believe. The film is dedicated to the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces and to the families whose love, strength, and unwavering support make that service possible.

Carl Brister is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, educator, and Founder & CEO of Music Village, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community through music and the arts. His work has been featured by NBC's Access Hollywood, BET, ABC's Here and Now, Aspire, and Music Choice. Through music, education, and cinematic storytelling, Brister creates experiences that inspire connection, belonging,and hope.

For more information on Carl Brister and "Hello", please visit:

Carl Brister's Official Website: www.CarlBrister.com
The Music Village: www.MusicVillage.live
Instagram: instagram.com/CarlBristerOfficial
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlBristerOfficial