Every so often, a story comes along that reminds us where great art really begins — not with money or machines, but with faith, imagination, and the courage to start small.

This week, that story belongs to a few dreamers from Zimbabwe who turned scraps and sheer belief into something extraordinary. What started as a humble experiment became a landmark in animation and a lasting symbol of what happens when creativity and conviction share the same spark.

Years later, their work continues through David, a new animated film (with Angel Studios) that reimagines one of Scripture's greatest stories. And just like its creators, it's built on the idea that faith doesn't wait for perfect conditions. It simply moves forward, trusting that God will guide it along the way.

Set in a dystopian world ruled by darkness, three orphans embark on a daring escape to find the fabled Sky Kingdom — a place said to hold freedom and light. Crafted with stop-motion ingenuity and found materials, this handmade classic from Sunrise Productions blends allegory and adventure into a story about faith, perseverance, and the search for hope in hard places.

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From Angel Studios and Sunrise Animation comes an epic retelling of one of Scripture's most enduring stories. With striking animation and emotional depth, David beautifully captures the courage, doubt, and faith that helped shape a shepherd into a king. Opening in theaters December 18, it's already nearing its milestone goal of 820,000 pre-sold tickets, making it the must-see family film this holiday season.

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Before Sunrise Animation became known for sweeping, faith-driven storytelling, it began as Sunrise Productions — a small group of dreamers in Zimbabwe led by Phil and Jacqui Cunningham. They weren’t filmmakers by trade, but visionaries by conviction, gathering local street artists and out-of-work creatives to chase something bigger than themselves.

Their tools were simple: recycled scraps, handmade cameras, and a belief that beauty could rise from what remained. Their timing, though, was anything but easy. Under President Mugabe’s collapsing regime, Zimbabwe faced hyperinflation, blackouts, and fear. Yet out of that scarcity came The Legend of the Sky Kingdom — Africa’s first feature-length animated film. Financed through chicken exports and smuggled across the border for post-production, it was part art, part miracle.

What could’ve stayed a small experiment became a promise. The same faith that turned scrap metal into cinema still fuels Phil and Jacqui today, most recently seen in David, their most expansive and widely anticipated film yet.

It’s proof that even a small spark of belief can light the way to unimaginable heights.

The results are in, and it’s a tie! 33.33% of you voted for each option in last week’s poll: When you want to escape for a bit, what kind of story do you reach for?

Currently expanding its slate of stories, JCFilms Studios is finding new ways to blend faith, creativity, and courage. From heartfelt family dramas to thrillers like I Survived and horror projects like The Asylum, their growing catalog shows that truth can be found across every genre.

That same spirit of openness extends behind the camera as well. Through fan casting calls, on-set opportunities, and a gamified production model, they’re inviting audiences to help shape what comes next — turning moviegoers into collaborators and even co-creators.

It’s a fresh approach that turns filmmaking into community-building, proving that imagination grows stronger when more hands share the story. And that’s something we can get behind.

_{*Plumb News is not affiliated with JCFilms Studios and does not receive compensation for featuring it. We’re highlighting it because we believe stories like this deserve support.}

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” — Luke 16:10a (ESV)

Big things rarely start big. Most begin with humble beginnings — an idea, a spark, a little bit of faith. We all want the “much” part to happen fast: the breakthrough, the recognition, the sense that what we’re doing matters. But Scripture reminds us that faithfulness starts in the quiet work no one sees.

That’s where story is built, and character takes shape. It’s the showing up, the small efforts that don’t always feel like they’re adding up, that end up laying the groundwork for something real.

Whether we’re creating, serving, or just trying to do the next right thing, those small moments matter. The world may not notice right away, but God always does.

Until next time,

THE PLUMB NEWS TEAM