Houston, who passed away in February at the age of 48, worked on the movie as executive producer alongside megachurch pastor TD Jakes.
Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film by the same name that starred Aretha Franklin.
In the updated version, Houston plays the mother of three daughters with the looks and the singing talent to make it big. When drugs start to get in the way, they have to learn for themselves just how much fame and stardom can cost.
In addition to sharp wit, Houston's character imparts some mother's wisdom that seems to reflect her own off-screen life - "Was my life not enough of a cautionary tale for you?" she is heard asking her daughters.
The role comes 20 years after the movie she is still best known for - The Bodyguard.
The short trailer shows Houston singing a gospel song in the film. Although it's not the soaring voice that made her a global superstar, Houston conveys the same heartfelt compassion she was loved for - her gospel soundtrack for The Preacher's Wife became one of the biggest selling gospel albums of all time.
And from comments she made about the film, it seems her final project was a happy one.
"Part of the fun of making this movie is definitely the costumes and the hairstyles," she said.
"The movie is set in 1963, and we had a great wardrobe, hair and makeup person and I loved wearing the outfits.'
The film, which also stars Jordin Sparks and Ceelo Green, is to be dedicated to Houston's memory.
See the trailer here.