Prairie Winds: Faith, Family, and the Western Frontier - With Dr. Joel Bunkowski

Prairie Winds: Faith, Family, and the Western Frontier - With Dr. Joel Bunkowski

Episode 204 - Prairie Winds: Faith, Family, and the Western Frontier - With Dr. Joel Bunkowski In this episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast, Your host Geoffrey Whitt interviews Dr. Joel Bunkowski while on location at the Johnny Cash Hideaway Farm. The interview takes place with principal photography for Prairie Winds nearly complete after about a month on set. Prairie Winds is a strong, Christian, Little House on the Prairie – inspired project, which was in development even before the Netflix reboot was announced. He and co-creator / writer / director George Escobar developed original characters, painstakingly refined the script, and assembled a mission-minded cast and crew from across North America. Prairie Winds is planned as a series of 20 feature films designed for theatrical release and family-friendly viewing, with a freemium, gospel-first distribution model. Highlights Include: * Welcoming a Return Guest * Location: Johnny Cash Farm * Prairie Winds Origin Story * Creating New IP * Polishing the Script * Living on Set * Mission First Filmmaking * The Vision: Twenty Films * How to Support and Follow * Firing on All Cylinders * Closing and Farewell Bio: Dr. Joel W. Bunkowske, Esq. is one of the world's most educated, experienced, and successful corporate and entertainment lawyers. He is an award-winning attorney with over 30 years of experience in the music, television, and film industries. He is the recipient of Grammy, Dove, and Gold Record Awards for his legal work in the music and film industries. He has worked with Academy Award-nominated actors, Grammy and Dove award-winning recording artists, and legendary producers. His areas of practice include corporate law; film, television, and music Chief of Legal and Business Affairs; film production, finance, and distribution; contracts, dispute resolution, and University teaching. Dr. Joel has worked extensively in the film, music, and television industries doing corporate law, finance, distribution, consulting, producing, executive producing, directing, and contracts for hundreds of projects worldwide with Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, Sony, Paramount Pictures, ABC, NBC, FOX, Capitol Records, EMI, Curb Records, Word Records and many more. Dr. Bunkowske has done extensive venture capital deal structuring for film companies, record companies, and a $180 million foundation. He is Co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of 3 Days Studios, and Producer of the Prairie Winds https://3daysstudios.com/ [https://3daysstudios.com/] https://www.facebook.com/PrairieWinds.TV [https://www.facebook.com/PrairieWinds.TV] Edited by Geoffrey Whitt If you would like to support the production of this podcast, you can do so at https://www.faffpodcast.com/support [https://www.faffpodcast.com/support ] The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. We interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors. Get Email Notifications: https://faffpodcast.com/email [ https://faffpodcast.com/email] Enter the Faith & Family Filmmakers Awards festival: https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards [https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards] FAFF Association Weekly Zoom Meetups for Filmmakers: https://www.faffassociation.com/events [https://www.faffassociation.com/events] Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V] Produced by Geoffrey Whitt for Faith and Family Filmmakers Association https://www.faffassociation.com/ [https://www.faffassociation.com/] Faith and Family Filmmakers Association is sponsored by Rediscover Television https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ [https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ ] Copyright 2024 Ivan Ann Productions

Hard Faith Fest LA 2026 - with Spencer Folmar

Episode 203 - Hard Faith Fest LA 2026 - with Spencer Folmar In this special bonus episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast, your host Geoffrey Whitt welcomes Spencer Folmar who shares the details about the upcoming Hard Faith Film Festival in Los Angeles. Spencer shares the origins of Hard Faith Films and defines “Hard Faith” as faith-centered storytelling that addresses difficult, realistic topics often avoided in traditional faith films. Hard Faith Fest 2026 runs June 25–28 at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena with the theme “Do Not Fear,” featuring four days of screenings (50+ projects), workshops, panels, musical performances, a ticketed Pitch Fest, after parties, an awards show (40+ awards), and Sunday worship and prayer. Get all the details about the festival and updates at hardfaithfest.com [http://hardfaithfest.com]. We have a special listener discount code: HFF26LA50 will give you 50% off a four-day pass. Highlights include: * Origins of Hard Faith * Defining Hard Faith * Overview of Spencers Films * Festival Theme Do Not Fear * Festival Growth and Venue * Travel and Hotel Tips * Four Day Schedule Breakdown * Speaker Lineup * Partnership and Invitation * Dates, Website, Socials, and Discount Code Hard Faith Fest is dedicated to showcasing films that tell stories of liberation, resilience, and the human experience. Our mission is to provide a platform for independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and artists to share their unique perspectives and connect with a diverse audience. Through the power of storytelling, we aim to inspire, educate, and provoke meaningful conversations. https://www.hardfaithfest.com [https://www.hardfaithfest.com] Use Discount Code HFF26LA50 to get 50% off a four-day pass. The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors. If you would like to support the production of this podcast, you can do so at https://www.faffpodcast.com/support [https://www.faffpodcast.com/support ] Get Email Notifications: https://faffpodcast.com/email [ https://faffpodcast.com/email] Enter the Faith & Family Filmmakers Awards festival: https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards [https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards] FAFF Association Weekly Zoom Meetups for Filmmakers: https://www.faffassociation.com/events [https://www.faffassociation.com/events] Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V] Produced by Geoffrey Whitt for Faith and Family Filmmakers Association https://www.faffassociation.com/ [https://www.faffassociation.com/] Faith and Family Filmmakers Association is sponsored by Rediscover Television https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ [https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ ]

Shooting Truth: International Documentary Filmmaking - with Craig D. Forrest

Episode 202 - Shooting Truth: International Documentary Filmmaking - with Craig D. Forrest This interview is also published in video format. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/tCH65oYvzTE [https://youtu.be/tCH65oYvzTE] In this episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast, Matt Chastain welcomes award-winning documentary filmmaker Dr. Craig D. Forrest to discuss his career spanning 250+ overseas assignments across 161 countries and six continents for major TV /news outlets and faith-based groups. Forrest contrasts common Christian media topics with the darker realities he has filmed, including voodoo, demonic oppression, sex trafficking, war, famine, and terrorism. Craig worked at PTL and INSP, lived in Belgium as a missionary, sharpened live TV skills at Trinity Broadcasting Network, and gained “film school” experience traveling worldwide for World Vision.The conversation covers documentary vs. narrative storytelling, today’s accessibility via smartphones, his book “Night Train to Cairo,” and practical ways to live out faith in secular productions through prayer, Scripture, and Christian community. This engaging conversation provides insightful reflections on how filmmakers can navigate the crossroads of faith and media, while maintaining an uncompromised creative vision. Highlights Include: ● Why Tell the Hard Stories ● Craig’s Early Beginnings and Career ● World Vision and Going Global ● Old School Cameras and Editing ● Voodoo, Haiti, and Spiritual Warfare ● Living With Cultural Divide ● Documentary Versus Narrative ● Shoot With Your Phone ● Spielberg - Shoot What You Want to Watch ● Marvel Studio's Stan Lee ● Faith on Secular Sets Bio: Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Craig D. Forrest, has traveled on-location to 161 countries and 6 continents producing, directing & shooting projects for leading TV networks & cable channels, plus numerous humanitarian and faith-based groups.With over 250+ overseas assignments he has covered subjects as diverse as voodoo, Santeria, tribal warfare, sex trafficking, Islamic terrorism, famine, poverty, war zones, politics, sports, new age cults, demonic possession & the supernatural. email: craigdforrest@gmail.com web: CraigForrest.com [http://www.craigforrest.com/] Instagram = @craigdforrest twitter: @craigdforrest threads: @craigdforrest books: https://www.craigforrest.com/books [https://www.craigforrest.com/books] Edited by Wally De La Fuente The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors. If you would like to support the production of this podcast, you can do so at https://www.faffpodcast.com/support [https://www.faffpodcast.com/support ] Get Email Notifications: https://faffpodcast.com/email [ https://faffpodcast.com/email] Enter the Faith & Family Filmmakers Awards festival: https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards [https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards] FAFF Association Weekly Zoom Meetups for Filmmakers: https://www.faffassociation.com/events [https://www.faffassociation.com/events] Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V] Produced by Geoffrey Whitt for Faith and Family Filmmakers Association https://www.faffassociation.com/ [https://www.faffassociation.com/] Faith and Family Filmmakers Association is sponsored by Rediscover Television https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ [https://www.rediscoverfamily.tv/ ] Copyright 2026 Ivan Ann Production

An Actor’s Path Through Film and Faith - with Stelio Savante

Episode 201 - An Actor’s Path Through Film and Faith - with Stelio Savante This interview is also published in video format. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/HLsbyCMOcpI?si=Be48471mJH3QXJ-E [https://youtu.be/HLsbyCMOcpI?si=Be48471mJH3QXJ-E] In this episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, Matt Chastain interviews actor/producer Stelio Savante about his career (including The Chosen as Moses), moving from South Africa and changing his accent, and how faith shapes his work. Stelio discusses why higher-quality Christian films are reaching wider audiences, what he looks for in directors, and his path to working with Dallas Jenkins. He highlights Hazel’s Heart (now on Angel), explaining what drew him to the true survival story of Hazel Miner. Stelio also discusses indie distribution realities, the film’s partnership with Samuel Goldwyn and Angel, and shares practical advice on filmmaking, budgeting, distribution, and spiritual discernment. Highlights Include: * From South Africa to Hollywood: Losing (and Finding) Accents * Honoring Real-Life Stories on Screen * Working Actor vs. Celebrity * From Broken Home to Salvation * Ministry Through Film * Faith films are Finally Getting Good * Why "Faith-Based" is Limiting * What Makes a Great Director * Working with Dallas Jenkins * Hazel's Heart * Fatherhood, Redemption & Real American Stories * God-Ordained Projects: When the Story Finds You * Learning the Directors's Vision * How They Shot the Blizzard * Filming Horses Indoors * Distribution & Theatrical Reality * Advice for Filmmakers * Faith, Discernment and Spiritual Integrity Bio: South African actor Stelio Savante is a multilingual SAG award nominee & US citizen with over 140 international credits over the last four decades. A steady product of leading, large supporting, & recurring roles in television, & international theatrically released features that have accumulated almost $400 million in world-wide box office, & leading roles in billion dollar grossing video game franchises. He is known for his roles as a South African/Israeli journalist and undercover Mossad agent opposite Jim Caviezel and Claudia Karvan in the political thriller Infidel, a Portuguese mayor opposite Matt Dillon in the Hawaiian drama Running for Grace, a small town deputy directly opposite Anne Heche, in her final film performance in the noir What Remains, and a rogue policeman in the South African epic drama Colors of Heaven. In 2007 he became the first male South African-born Screen Actors Guild award nominee (Best Ensemble in a Comedy) for his recurring role on Ugly Betty followed by roles in the studio films My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. He is also known for the roles of Moses in the biblical series The Chosen, and the voice of Ajax in the popular video games Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Call of Duty: Mobile. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steliosavante [https://www.facebook.com/steliosavante] X: https://x.com/StelioSavante [https://x.com/StelioSavante] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steliosavante/ [https://www.instagram.com/steliosavante/] IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767445/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_in_0_q_Stelio%2520Savante [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767445/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_in_0_q_Stelio%2520Savante] Hazel’s Heart on Angel: https://www.angel.com/movies/hazels-heart [https://www.angel.com/movies/hazels-heart]. The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors. If you would like to support the production of this podcast, you can do so at https://www.faffpodcast.com/support [https://www.faffpodcast.com/support] Get Email Notifications: https://faffpodcast.com/email [https://faffpodcast.com/email] Enter the Faith & Family Filmmakers Awards festival: https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards [https://filmfreeway.com/FAFFawards] FAFF Association Weekly Zoom Meetups for Filmmakers: https://www.faffassociation.com/events [https://www.faffassociation.com/events] Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V] Produced by Geoffrey Whitt for Faith and Family Filmmakers Association https://www.faffassociation.com/ Edited by Jaclyn Whitt and Wally De La Fuente Copyright 2026 Ivan Ann Productions

From TV Script to Video Podcast - with Caleb Fisher

Episode 200 - From TV Script to Video Podcast - with Caleb Fisher This interview is also published in video format. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/dJO3cMfIKHk?si=SYfNYcdaxvCAdbTV [https://youtu.be/dJO3cMfIKHk?si=SYfNYcdaxvCAdbTV] In this episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, Jaclyn introduces Caleb Fisher, a longtime member of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Association. Caleb discusses his exciting project: a video podcast drama titled 'Tally Light Broadcast.' Inspired by classic sitcoms and radio dramas, Caleb shares the journey of creating this proof of concept, which blends live video and audio drama techniques. He delves into the scriptwriting process, the importance of sound effects, and the collaborative efforts with editors, actors, and sound engineers. Caleb also outlines his vision for the project’s future, including a Kickstarter campaign to fund additional episodes, and offers insights for other creators looking to bring their ideas to life in innovative ways. Highlights Include: * Pirate Hog Apparel and FAFF Merch * Discussing the Script and Inspirations * The Story Behind Tally Light Broadcast * TV Scripts to "Video Podcast" * Crafting Audio Drama: Sound and Visual Elements * Writing for Audio Drama vs. TV * Directing and Acting Challenges * Live Recording Dynamics * The Importance of "Reacting" in Acting * Casting and Technical Issues * Differences Between Audio Drama and Podcast Drama * Voice Acting Versatility * Kickstarter Campaign and Future Goals * Distribution Plans * Stepping Stones Bio: Caleb enjoyed his school years being homeschooled and feels the experience allowed him to learn at his own pace and use alternative methods of learning, while following his many interests. He is the creator, producer and co-host of YouTube channel Good Morning Fellow Foodies with his brother Seth. He's a voice actor, playing parts in multiple episodes of Project Audion, and is also an assistant with his brothers farm business Mini Acre Farm. An avid reader, Caleb enjoys words and investigating alternate ways to make communication more effective and distinct. He is currently working on several novels and articles for future publication. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TallyLightBroadcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TallyLightBroadcast] Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tallylight/tally-light-broadcast-video-drama [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tallylight/tally-light-broadcast-video-drama] Pirate Hog Apparel: https://www.piratehog.com/ The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers,  talent agents, and distributors.  It is produced and hosted by Geoffrey Whitt and Jaclyn Whitt , and is brought to you by the Faith & Family Filmmakers Association [https://faffpodcast.com/faffassociation] Support Faith & Family Filmmakers [https://faffpodcast.com/support] Our mission is to help filmmakers who share a Christian Worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. If you would like to assist with the costs of producing this podcast, you can help by leaving a tip. Get Email Notifications [https://faffpodcast.com/email] Enter the Faith & Family Screenwriting Awards festival [https://faffpodcast.com/screenwriting-awards] FAFF Association Weekly Zoom Meetups for Filmmakers: https://www.faffassociation.com/events [https://www.faffassociation.com/events ] Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V] Produced by Geoffrey Whitt for Faith and Family Filmmakers Association https://www.faffassociation.com/ [https://www.faffassociation.com/] Edited by Jaclyn Whitt and Wally De La Fuente Copyright 2024 Ivan Ann Productions