“Aim The Heart and Then The Camera”

For Christian filmmakers, the goal isn't simply to make better films. It's to become the kind of filmmaker whose work flows from a heart surrendered to Christ.

This is at the heart of Episode 9, where Doug Weiss talks with pastor, author, and Christian Film Foundation director Ed Grifenhagen about his journey into Christian filmmaking, the mission of the Christian Film Foundation, the Kendrick Brothers' Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul and the new Heart of the Filmmaker Academy.

Ed Grifenhagen is a pastor, author, and director of the Christian Film Foundation. His work combines ministry, business experience, filmmaking, and a passion for equipping Christian filmmakers.

He is also the author of 365 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know, a 365-day devotional exploring Hebrew words, Scripture, and how the Old Testament points to Christ.

Show Notes

Christian Film Foundation: https://www.christianfilmfoundation.org/

Heart of the Filmmaker Academy: https://www.heartofthefilmmaker.com/

365 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know Book: https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Words-Every-Christian-Should/dp/1424570476/

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://www.faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Subscribe to the Faith Film Fests Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Faith Film Fests Podcast, leave a review and rating. Episodes feature conversations with filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry leaders who are helping faith-based films reach audiences around the world.

Learn more at https://www.faithfilmfests.com/

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://www.josephmcdade.com/

What does it really take to build a successful independent film today? It starts long before the cameras roll.

In this episode of the Faith Film Fests Podcast, Doug Weiss sits down with filmmakers Garrett Batty and Daren Smith, co-hosts of the Truly Independent Podcast, for a conversation about audience-first filmmaking, theatrical distribution, financing, and the future of independent faith-based films.

Garrett and Daren share practical lessons from producing films, along with insights on fundraising, distribution strategies, and why today's filmmakers have more opportunities than ever before. If you're producing a faith-based film or planning your next project, this episode is filled with actionable advice you won't want to miss.

Show Notes:

Truly Independent Podcast: https://www.threecoinpro.com/podcast

Garrett Batty

Three Coin Productions: https://www.threecoinpro.com/

Help Them See Foundation: https://helpthemseefoundation.org

Darren Smith

Craftsman Films: https://craftsmanfilms.co

Producers Fund: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/fund/

Brotherhood Movie: https://brotherhoodmovie.com/

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Subscribe to the Faith Film Fests Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Faith Film Fests Podcast, leave a review and rating. Episodes feature conversations with filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry leaders who are helping faith-based films reach audiences around the world.

Learn more at https://faithfilmfests.com.

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at

https://josephmcdade.com/#music

In this episode of the Faith Film Fests' Podcast, Doug Weiss sits down with filmmaker, author, and consultant Ron Newcomb to discuss what it takes to succeed as an independent filmmaker outside the traditional Hollywood system.

Drawing from more than 27 years of experience, Ron shares his journey from aspiring actor and police officer to filmmaker, educator, and founder of several resources designed to help filmmakers avoid costly mistakes.

The conversation explores the importance of treating filmmaking as a business, validating a film concept before production, raising investment capital, pitching effectively, and developing a clear distribution strategy from the very beginning.

Ron also introduces several new tools and initiatives, including his upcoming books Hollywood Outsider and We're All Pitching Something, along with the upcoming VIP Film & TV Summit.

Whether you're preparing your first feature or looking to improve your film business skills, this episode is packed with practical advice for building sustainable success in independent filmmaking.

Show Notes:

Ron Newcomb
https://www.ronnewcomb.com

Concept Compass
https://www.theconceptcompass.ai

VIP Film & TV Summit
https://www.vipfilmandtvsummit.com

Fellowship of Christian Filmmakers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/19370033080

Upcoming Books

Hollywood Outsider : https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books

We're All Pitching Something : https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music

We sit down with Zach Miller, founder of the new Mosaic Christian Film Festival, launching January 18–20, 2027 in Colorado just ahead of the Sundance Film Festival. Zach shares the vision behind creating a filmmaker-focused Christian film festival that emphasizes community, networking, education, and meaningful industry connections.

Show Notes:

Mosaic Christian Film Festival- https://www.mosaicchristianfilmfestival.com/

Submit Your Project to the Film Festival- https://filmfreeway.com/mosaicchristianfilmfestival

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music

We sit down and talk with Tim Shields, co-founder of the CONTENT Media Conference, about how this unique gathering is equipping Christian filmmakers through hands-on training, powerful networking, film festival exposure, and even seed funding opportunities. We also discuss the conference’s spiritual foundation and its mission to help media creators use storytelling to advance the message of Christ.

Show Notes:

Register for CONTENT Media Conference- https://www.christianmediaconference.com/

Submit Your Project to the Film Festival- https://filmfreeway.com/ContentMediaConference

Follow CONTENT Media Conference on Social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CONTENTMediaConference/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianfilmmakersnetwork/

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music

We sit down with Director, Writer and Producer Tanner Christensen to hear about the powerful true story behind Standout: The Ben KjarStory. From a lifelong editing career to his first turn in the director’s chair, Tanner reveals how he brought to life the inspiring journey of world-champion wrestler Ben Kjar—born with a rare craniofacial condition and told he’d never compete.

This episode explores faith, empathy, perseverance, and the miracles behind independent filmmaking, including a remarkable casting story and the film’s upcoming theatrical release.

🎬 Standout: The Ben Kjar Story opens in theaters January 23, 2026. https://standoutfilm.com/

Show Notes:

Buy tickets- https://standoutfilm.com/where-to-watch/#tickets

Book a screening- https://standoutfilm.com/where-to-watch/

Follow Tanner on Social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanner.christensen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanmanchrisun

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music

We sit down with Sound Designer, Writer and Director, J.R. Fountain. With over two decades of experience on 100+ films and series, his credits span a wide range of genres, such as PAW Patrol: The Movie, The Breadwinner, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and the Netflix series Locke & Key.

In this episode we discuss J.R.'s career as a sound designer, his new film The Stranger and navigating film festivals and media events.

Show Notes:

Watch The Stranger online at https://thestrangermovie.ca/

J.R.'s company- https://bigroomsound.com/

CWVFF- https://cwvff.com/

ICVM-https://icvm.com/

Truly Independent podcast- https://open.spotify.com/show/37FQTvGixzzxomLoo2mITh?si=51678d10934d4a0b

Dot Connor Webtective movie- https://www.dotconner.com/

Follow J.R. on Social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.r.fountain/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrfountain/

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music

We talk with Writer and Director, Daric Gates (Director of Production at KLOVE) about his new film Virgin Birth which just premiered on KLOVE On Demand.

Show Notes:

Watch Virgin Birth on KLOVE On Demand at https://watch.klove.com/episode/Virgin-Birth-Movie

Follow Daric on Social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daricgates/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daric-gates-225419205/

Follow Faith Film Fests

Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests

Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music