Christians in Cinema BLOG

Producer/Special Adviser/Author - Amazing Grace, Real Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia

Bob Beltz is a minister, teacher, author, filmmaker, and church-planter. In the last 7 years he has been part of the leadership team for Walden Media, a leader in producing major films from the books we love.

From “Joshua,” the first film produced by Walden Media, to The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian and Amazing Grace, Bob has been involved at some level with all the films the company has produced.

Director - The Ultimate Gift, One Night with the King

Michael has a Hollywood career that spans more than 2 decades. His screen credits include writer, cameraman, director of photography, special effects cinematography, producer, and director on both television and feature film projects.

Writer/Producer/Director/Lead - “The Theory of Everything“

David de Vos’ film credits read like something out of a science fiction novel, with an occasional drift into reality TV and theme-park shows. Fresh from a stint teaching at YWAM’s University of the Nations on the Big Island of Hawaii, we talked as he headed home at the end of a busy day.

Actress - Enchanted

Kevin Lima, the director of “Enchanted,” is a Disney fan. He should be. He executive-produced “The Wild,” directed “Tarzan,” “102 Dalmatians,” and “A Goofy Movie,” and was credited with character designer and/or animator for “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and a handful of other Disney animated films.

As a special nod to Disney’s princesses, he invited 3 of them to be involved in the making of “Enchanted.” Jodi Benson, the voice of “The Little Mermaid,” plays the role of Patrick Dempsey’s assistant. [Notice the aquarium in the office] I was able to chat with Jodi about the film and her experiences as Disney’s ambassador for feature animation.

Actor - The Great Debaters

In talking with Denzel Whitaker, I was immediately struck by his poise. The 17-year-old actor portrays James Farmer, Jr., a member of a debate team from a small black college in East Texas, who goes on to become one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

I had a few moments to talk with Denzel about the upcoming film, his family, and what he likes to do in his spare time.

Writer: For One More Day

What would you do if you had one more day with someone who has already died? Would it change you or the way you remember that person? That’s the question explored in the new movie “For One More Day.” Premiering on ABC this Sunday, December 9, 9:00 PM Eastern & Pacific, it’s the third film based on a book by author Mitch Albom. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, it follows in the tradition of “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” creating a thought-provoking film about the relationships in our lives.

Author: Love Comes Softly series

With more than 75 books written and more than 23 million copies sold, Janette Oke is one of the most prolific writers of Christian fiction. Her stories set in earlier historical times still reach the hearts of readers today because they can identify with the emotions experienced by her characters. 5 of the 8 books in her Love Comes Softly series have been made into films which promise to be as popular as her books.

Host, Producer, Driver - Drive Thru History
After attending Abilene Christian University in the Texas Panhandle, Dave Stotts hopped around a few more places before settling down in the Dallas Metroplex area. Married to Rebekah and the father of 2 sons (Seth and Luke), his time is divided between video post-production, theological studies and making history […]

Screenwriter, Producer, Editor - One Night with the King
Stephan was born in Perrytown, New York, (the location of Sleepy Hollow). His dad moved the family around every few years, and eventually wound up in Malibu, California. He attended UCLA where he played football and was part of the team that played in the Rose Bowl […]

Of all the films listed on ChristianCinema.com, we guarantee you won’t find another one like The World Is Waiting. Brothers Reece and Lance Tedford created a goofy physical comedy that was an experiment in what could be accomplished with minimal financing, cast and crew. There were no stunt doubles used, nor were any animals harmed […]

Director - “Midnight Clear”
Dallas Jenkins isn’t dreaming of a “White Christmas.” In fact, the Christmas he dreamed up is desolate, lonely and dark. It’s set in the Southwest, without any skiers swooping down pristine slopes or sleigh rides over the drifting snow. Dallas directed Midnight Clear (originally released as a short, now in post-production as […]

Writer/Producer/Director - Nobelity
What do the following have in common? Golf. Willie Nelson. Christmas angels. Nobel Peace Prize winners. Friday Night Lights. The Sopranos…. A fascinating and tenacious man named Turk Pipkin. His multi-faceted career reflects the vast interests of the man who captured the insights of nine Nobel Laureates on film. He and his wife […]

Phil Cooke is a busy man. He directs and produces commercials, consults with churches and non-profit organizations, blogs, and writes books! He’s very well-respected in media circles and has a finger on the pulse of Christian film-making. He’s on a crusade to raise the standard of filmmaking, and is a passionate and humorous speaker.
I’m looking […]

Jeffrey Overstreet is a man of many gifts. To Christian audiences, especially moviegoers, he is best known as a film critic and writer for Christianity Today Movies’ website. To Seattle Pacific University students, faculty and alumni, he is known as an author and editor. To his future audience of readers, he is a writer of […]

Producer - “Believers Among Us”
Brad Wilson (producer of the “Believers Among Us” series), like the rest of our Featured Filmmakers, is a multi-talented individual who has had a unique career path. From the heart of Texas to the Big Apple of New York, and now living in Los Angeles, he’s moved in and out of […]

Producer/Writer/Director/Cast & Crew - “Holly’s Story”

Located in Houston, Texas, Cross Wind Productions is not just a film production company. It’s also a mentoring and discipling ministry for youth who are interested in theater arts. Founded by Barbara Sundstrom, the organization has produced three films that depict some of the serious struggles facing youth today. […]

Producers/Writer/Director/Cinematographer - “Christmas at Maxwell’s”
The father-daughter team of Bill & Tiffany Laufer (co-creators of Christmas at Maxwell’s) is dedicated to writing and producing films that show respect for the positive values of life, celebrating peace in the midst of chaos, redemption in the midst of despair, forgiveness in the midst of hatred and freedom in […]

“Facing the Giants” - Producer/Writer/Director
Days before the national release of Facing the Giants, Alex and his wife Christina welcomed their 5th child, Caleb. He joins his brother Joshua and sisters Anna, Catherine and Joy – just in time to see their dad’s newest film. This is Alex’s 53rd interview since the film gained media attention, […]

TBN - Vice President of Administration
After meeting Paul Crouch, Jr., at a Studio Task Force dinner, I was surprised to hear that his leisure-time passion is motocross racing. He has “tons of trophies” from his racing, and twice has been injured badly enough to require a hospital visit. The last time, 7 years ago, he […]

“Israel, Islam & Armageddon” - Author/Filmmaker/NFL Defensive Back
Former NFL defensive back-turned filmmaker Ken Klein is married to Jan, his wife of 32 years. They have 3 very creative sons, and live in Eugene, Oregon, where he continues his movie-making education at the University of Oregon. Ken took some time between projects to talk with me.
Angela: […]

“Pistol Pete: The Movie” - Producer/Director/Writer
I think the best thing anyone can do is to find what God has gifted them to do and do it - with all their hearts!
Writer, producer and director Darrel Campbell is a self-described workaholic who has found what he loves to do, and a way to do it that […]

“The Azusa Street Project” - Producer/Director/Writer/Teacher
Producer, writer, director, and teacher Clay banks lives in Southern California where he has built a Spirit-led film acting studio in Hollywood. He describes himself as “unorthodox, but a good boy” (actually, that’s how his mom describes him.) His passion about his work immediately comes through in a conversation with […]

“The Moment After,” “Thr3e” - Producer/Director/Writer/Actor Kevin Downes is a California native. He grew up in Visalia, just 3 hours north of Los Angeles where many of the Christian films he has made were shot. Before writing and producing The Moment After, Kevin worked with David A.R. White on The Crossing and The End of […]

“Agents: Live the Mission” - Writer/Producer/Actor
No one is too small, too young, too old, or too anything for God to use in His plan
MISSION BRIEFING: Obtain background on Agent Nicole Romero to develop cover story
LAST SEEN: Newport Beach, California
KNOWN ASSOCIATES: Jared Romero, Christopher Go, Kathryn Go
DISCLAIMER: ChristianCinema.com disavows knowledge of any subterfuge used to capture […]

Producer, Writer, Director - “Sugar Creek Gang”
Three years ago, Owen Smith graduated from college and began his filmmaking career in earnest. In that short span of time, he has formed 2 motion picture production companies (Kalon Media and Dogwood Motion Picture Company), produced a video series of children’s books (Sugar Creek Gang), and is in […]

Catching up with Anita Renfroe is no easy task. When we did, she was s on vacation in Florida. Taking a break from sunning herself on the beach, Anita talked with us about the whirlwind that has been her life for the past 4 years…
Angela: Anita, how’s your suntan?
Anita: Actually, it’s raining right now, so […]