Writer of Pop Culture

Stop me if you heard this one before.

A funny thing happened the other night while attending a Phil Wickham concert in Everett, Washington. I ended up sitting down next to the writer and director of the upcoming animated movie, David which is coming to theaters this Christmas. This made this concert experience all the more special.

My wife and I were attending the Air1 Worship Now Tour that Wickham was headlining. Just before the concert started – like right before – this guy sat down next to me. With a grin he said “Hi”. I responded back in kind and that was about it. You know, the usual interactions you might have with a total stranger.

While the presenters were getting the crowd excited for the event (“Who’s excited to be here? I can’t hear you…”), I noticed that he’s sitting by himself.

“You here alone?” I asked.

“Yeah” he said with a strong accent that I couldn’t quite place, “It’s kind of an interesting story.”

And then the concert started. During an intermission, I asked the man, “So…what’s your story?”

Brent Dawes has spent over 20 years as the Creative Lead at Sunrise Animation Studios which had its start in Zimbabwe but now operates in Cape Town, South Africa. He created the Jungle Beat series and directed Jungle Beat: The Movie, which Netflix acquired in 2021. Dawes is also the writer and co-director of the animated David film.

This labor of love promises to be more than just the traditional David vs. Goliath story about a shepherd boy with really good slingshot skills. That’s the David that we all know about, but if you read further, you know that David was also a poet, a warrior and eventually a king.

Actor Brandon Engman voices David as a boy, a role that he’s already played for the prequel TV series, Young David. He is joined by Kamran Nihad who plays Goliath, Brian Stivale as Samuel, Adam Michael Gold as Saul, Miri Mesika as Nitzevet, and Mark Jacobson as Jonathan.

Earlier this month it was announced that Phil Wickham would be voicing and singing for the role of David as an adult.

Brent had never been to the Seattle area before and he explained that he wouldn’t have any time to explore the area because he would be flying back to Utah early the next morning. Since a concert setting isn’t exactly the most appropriate place to interview him, I asked him if I could send him some questions via email. He obliged.

Not wanting to “out-scooped”, I sent Brent my questions right after I got home. To my surprise, when I woke up the next morning, he had already replied! Here is what he had to say:

Remind me again how you ended up here in Everett?

“I was in Salt Lake City working with [film distributor] Angel on marketing the movie when I heard Phil was performing ‘nearby’. I had only met him on Zoom during the voice recording sessions and haven’t seen him perform live, so I took the opportunity to hop across to Everett and meet him and watch the concert. There was a little bit of ‘work speak’, but mostly [it was] just a wonderful chance to meet Phil in person and connect.”

Can you tell me a little bit about the history of this journey and how it was changed from a live action film to an animated one?

“Well, Phil Cunningham (co-director) is best to answer this, but working with him for 25 years I think I can answer it pretty accurately. Phil and his wife Jacqui are owners and founders of Sunrise Animation Studios. He grew up in Zimbabwe in Africa and fell in love with God in the raw, wild landscapes. He found a God that was adventurous and expansive and BIG.

“With David being a man after God’s own heart, Phil resonated with him deeply. He wrote a book on David called the VIIIth Son over 30 years ago. And being a man who loves big stories and adventure, Phil loved films like Gladiator and Braveheart and thought David would make an incredible movie to sit next to those. So, he started Sunrise with a goal of one day making that movie.

“It was a little over 10 years ago that Rita Mbanga (one of our producers) and Jacqui (Phil’s wife) floated the idea of it being an animation [film]. This resonated with Phil as it opened up a much broader audience for this most incredible story. A live action version would certainly not be able to be as family friendly. And animation opened it up for it to become a musical and reach a much broader audience.”

During the concert, we discussed how Phil seems like a really nice and sincere guy. What were your thoughts after meeting him in person?

“Phil is who you hope he would be. He was so generous with his time and so sincere with his words. It was so wonderful hearing his heart for the David movie (and what a joy and dream come true it’s been for him) but to also see his genuine servant heart for the movie. He didn’t come in as a big star. He came to listen, learn and serve. It was more than worth it making the trip to meet him in person!”

I just watched the music video from David where Phil sings “Follow the Light” just the other day. I really enjoyed it. What do you think of it?

“I love it! I’d be worried if I didn’t as it is such a key part to the movie. It was the last thing we solved – [showing] what happened as young David transitions to adult David. We needed to convey so much – David’s heart, Saul’s growing jealousy, David and Jonathan’s growing friendship, and David showing people to live with a new outlook – not of fear, but of connectedness, community and of course ‘following the light’.”

Can you describe the feelings you have knowing that your story will be opening in theaters in just a few weeks?

“It feels amazing and surreal that the movie is coming out so soon. I wrote the first draft over 11 years ago. So, to be at the point of it actually being finished and soon to be released is just incredible. I’m so excited for audiences to watch it, they’re truly in for something special.”

What are you hoping people will get out after watching your movie?

“My hope is that each person that watches the movie will be met where they’re at. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, secular, atheist… my hope is that it touches and speaks to them in a way that is personal to them. This is a story that has resonated with humanity for over 3000 years and it continues to do so.

“My hope is that hearts are touched, moved, inspired, challenged and encouraged. In making the movie we had two words we want the movie to achieve. Firstly, to entertain. At the very least whether you [are a believer] or not, just come to the movie and be swept away by an amazing story. Secondly to inspire. May people walk out of the movie with a hope and a spring in their step to face the challenges they may be facing.”

David will open in theaters all across the country on December 19, 2025. For a sneak peek, visit the movie’s website to watch more music clips.

Main Images: Angel and Wikimedia