Telling Stories that Inspire Faith with Hollywood Producer Sean McNamara

From childhood home videos to Hollywood premieres, Sean McNamara has never stopped telling stories.

Continuing our series of interviews from the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix this summer, The Engaged Parish Podcast sat down with writer, director, and producer Sean McNamara—best known for films like Soul Surfer, The Miracle Season, and his latest upcoming release Bau: Artist At War.

Sean shares how a family trip to Ireland at age 12 sparked his love for filmmaking, why storytelling is at the heart of his craft, and how his Catholic faith has shaped the stories he chooses to bring to life. From miracle-filled dramas to historical epics, his passion is clear: telling redemptive stories that inspire audiences to see faith in action.

We also discuss why it’s so important for Catholics to support faith-based films in theaters—and how that simple act helps create more stories that lift hearts and point us back to Christ.

Watch the full interview below and hear why Sean believes storytelling is one of the Church’s most powerful tools for evangelization.