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Act One Podcast - Episode 48 - Interview with Directors Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes of the new film, DAVID.

From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling, a few stones, and unshakable faith steps forward. Pursued by power and driven by purpose, his journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage—culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the soul of a kingdom. Released by Angel Studios, DAVID is in theaters everywhere beginning December 19th, 2025.

Phil Cunningham’s passion for storytelling was ignited and fueled as a young boy growing up in the wild frontier of Zimbabwe, where day-to-day life was often interspersed with larger-than-life characters and fantastic stories. Phil was struck by the incredible power of stories to impact society and in particular the power of animation to cross race, culture, age and gender barriers better than any other medium. Over the last 25 years, Phil together with Jacqui, has built Sunrise Animation Studios in Cape Town, South Africa. The studio’s mission statement is “Inspire Through Story".

Brent Dawes has spent over two decades as the Creative Lead at Sunrise Animation Studios, where (among many other projects) he created the Jungle Beat series and directed Jungle Beat: The Movie, which Netflix acquired in 2021, where it ranked in the Top 10 movies across all genres in its first 3 weeks. Dawes is the writer and co director of the Young David Shorts and the David animated feature film.

Sunrise Animation Studios is a full-service animation studio based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded by Phil and Jacqui Cunningham, Sunrise has a passion for quality storytelling, and a belief that film and TV are the most powerful mediums for story in the modern era. The company’s mission is to inspire, entertain and enchant audiences worldwide, providing the finest in family entertainment. Sunrise is the production partner for Jungle Beat, a series of high-quality animated short episodes that have become immensely popular worldwide, having been broadcast in over 180 countries and across a range of media platforms including TV, cinema and in-flight entertainment. The brand’s YouTube channel has over 11 Million subscribers and 5 Billion views. Sunrise were also the production provider for the hit animated feature Jungle Beat: The Movie, and the Jungle Beat 2 The Past sequel, released in 2024. Sunrise is also a world leader in sports mascot creation and branding, and partners here include The Welsh Rugby Union, Juventus Football Club, The English Rugby Football Union, and current world champions, South African Rugby. "Story" and "people" remain at the heart of everything the studio does.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 47 - Interview with Director and Screenwriter, Spencer Folmar.

Spencer Folmar is the co-writer and co-director of the new film, SAINT NICK OF BETHLEHEM, starring Daniel Roebuck. Based on a true story about Allen Smith's life, this inspiring story follows a man who, after the heartbreaking loss of his son, transforms his grief into a beacon of hope for others by embodying the spirit of Santa Claus. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Angel Studios.

Spencer Folmar is a passionate filmmaker, producer, and storyteller known for creating bold, authentic films that inspire and challenge audiences. As the founder of Hard Faith Films, Spencer has committed his career to crafting stories that delve into real-world struggles while offering hope and redemption. His work stands out in the faith-based film space for its raw honesty, tackling themes often avoided in traditional Christian cinema.

Spencer’s filmography includes Generational Sins in 2017, a powerful drama exploring forgiveness and generational brokenness, and Shooting Heroin in 2020, a film about a small town taking justice into their own hands to stop the spread of drugs by whatever means possible.

Beyond directing and producing, Spencer champions independent filmmakers through the Hard Faith Film Festival, providing a platform for fresh, faith-centered voices.

Spencer’s motto, “Telling Stories That Liberate,” reflects his dedication to creating cinema that resonates deeply with viewers, sparking conversations that lead to spiritual and personal growth. His unique approach has garnered recognition as a filmmaker unafraid to explore the messiness of life while pointing to the hope found in redemption.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 46 - Interview with Producer, John Shepherd.

John Shepherd is a 30-year veteran of indie & studio film. As a producer, John’s known for such films as Emanuel (2019), The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008), Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004) and The Ultimate Gift (2006).

His latest film is Sarah’s Oil which is inspired by the remarkable true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right. The film opens in theaters everywhere on November 7th.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

Support the show