A podcast covering Christian film festivals, film distribution, and conversations with filmmakers. Also, get the latest information about film festivals, distribution and marketing insights, tips and resources on our website at https://www.faithfilmfests.com.
EP. 9- Aim The Heart and Then The Camera, with Ed Grifenhagen, Director of the Christian Film Foundation
“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 (https://www.edgrifenhagen.com) about his journey into Christian filmmaking, the mission of the Christian Film Foundation (https://www.christianfilmfoundation.org/), the Kendrick Brothers' Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul (https://flywheelignitionofthesoulmovie.com/) and the new Heart of the Filmmaker Academy (https://www.heartofthefilmmaker.com/).
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, (https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Words-Every-Christian-Should/dp/1424570476/) 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/
3 Aug 2026
EP. 8- Independent Filmmaking Insights- with filmmakers Garrett Batty and Daren Smith
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, filmmakers and 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.
They 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 ( https://www.threecoinpro.com/podcast)
Garrett Batty
Three Coin Productions: https://www.threecoinpro.com/ (https://www.threecoinpro.com/)
Help Them See Foundation: https://helpthemseefoundation.org (https://helpthemseefoundation.org)
Darren Smith
Craftsman Films: https://craftsmanfilms.co (https://craftsmanfilms.co)
Producers Fund: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/fund/ (https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/fund/)
Brotherhood Movie: https://brotherhoodmovie.com/ (https://brotherhoodmovie.com/)
Follow Faith Film Fests
Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/ (https://faithfilmfests.com/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests (https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests (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 (https://faithfilmfests.com).
Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at
https://josephmcdade.com/#music (https://josephmcdade.com/#music)
29 Jun 2026
EP. 7- Film Business Insights and Upcoming Books- with filmmaker, author, and consultant Ron Newcomb
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 (https://ronnewcomb.com)
Concept Compass
https://www.theconceptcompass.ai (https://theconceptcompass.ai)
VIP Film & TV Summit
https://www.vipfilmandtvsummit.com (https://vipfilmandtvsummit.com)
Fellowship of Christian Filmmakers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/19370033080 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/19370033080)
Upcoming Books
Hollywood Outsider : https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books (https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books)
We're All Pitching Something : https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books ( https://www.ronnewcomb.com/#books)
Follow Faith Film Fests
Web: https://faithfilmfests.com/ (https://faithfilmfests.com/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests (https://www.facebook.com/faithfilmfests)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests (https://www.instagram.com/faithfilmfests)
Music on the podcast: Free Use license from Joseph McDade at https://josephmcdade.com/music (https://josephmcdade.com/music)
12 May 2026
EP. 6- New Film Festival: Mosaic Christian Film Festival- with Zach Miller, Founder
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
15 Mar 2026
EP. 5- CONTENT Media Conference and Film Festival- Interview with Tim Shields Co-Founder
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
24 Jan 2026
EP. 4- Standout: The Ben Kjar Story- Interview with Director Tanner Christensen
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
22 Dec 2025
EP. 3- Interview with J.R. Fountain Sound Designer, Writer and Director
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
30 Nov 2025
EP. 2- Interview with Daric Gates Writer and Director of Virgin Birth for KLOVE On Demand
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
25 Oct 2025
EP. 1- Interview with Emily Giuffre Writer and Director of the Upcoming Film Christkind Kommt
We sit down with filmmaker Emily Giuffré and talk about her upcoming movie Christkind Kommt.
Show Notes:
Watch Emily's short Kindred Spirits at https://youtu.be/PUldrS7m94w?si=Ultll7T9g_kx18d8
Learn more about Christkind Kommt and donate to the the production of the film at https://www.givesendgo.com/wwiishortfilm
Emily's IMDB- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7299459/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1
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