This episode is a part of our December Testimony series. A series of short testimonies of times that God showed up upon set or in ways related to the film-industry.
In this episode, Tyler Sansom, a film director, producer and pastor from southern Indiana, shares the profound impact of his film, 'I Can.' Released nationwide, the film inspired a Pay It Forward campaign allowing at-risk kids to see it for free. Tyler recounts the touching story of an 11-year-old girl, Shelby, who was deeply affected by the film just before her mother’s unexpected passing. Her coach Zach organized a softball tournament in her honor, which spurred the establishment of a scholarship in her name. Tragically, Zach also passed away shortly after, leading to the creation of the ICAN Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping people overcome difficult 'I can't' moments. Tyler emphasizes the unforeseen, far-reaching effects of dedicating one's talents to God's service.
Bio:
Tyler is a pastor and filmmaker based out of Corydon, IN. He is married to his amazing wife, Sarah. They have a 22 year old daughter and a 2 year old granddaughter.
The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors.
Support Faith & Family Filmmakers Our mission is to help filmmakers who share a Christian Worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. If you would like to assist with the costs of producing this podcast, you can help by leaving a tip.
I am a film director and pastor in southern Indiana, really close to Louisville, Kentucky.
Tyler Sansom:
And on my last film called I Can, a lot of things happened where God definitely showed up.
Tyler Sansom:
But after the movie came out in theaters is when we really got to see something that only God could have made happen.
Tyler Sansom:
We released the movie Nationwide theatrically, and we had a pay it forward campaign that would allow at risk kids and orphans to see the movie for free, Nationwide.
Tyler Sansom:
And so one of the teams of softball players that got to see the film that were at risk was a group from Nashville, Tennessee.
Tyler Sansom:
They had a mom reach out to us and ask if they could have some of the Pay It Forward tickets.
Tyler Sansom:
So we sent them their way.
Tyler Sansom:
They went and watched the movie.
Tyler Sansom:
And their coach, a guy named Zach, he recorded each player sharing what they learned from the film.
Tyler Sansom:
And he sent it to us.
Tyler Sansom:
It was one of the sweetest things ever.
Tyler Sansom:
One of the players name was Shelby, and her mom was actually the one that reached out to us.
Tyler Sansom:
And one of her big takeaways is that God is always with us even when bad things happen.
Tyler Sansom:
Even when things like death happen, God is with us.
Tyler Sansom:
And unfortunately, about two weeks after the movie came out, Shelby's mom passed away unexpectedly.
Tyler Sansom:
And we had that clip to kind of look back on.
Tyler Sansom:
Even in dad's situation, Scott is still there.
Tyler Sansom:
For Shelby, though, that was a really hard thing to process as an 11 year old girl.
Tyler Sansom:
Her coach, Zach, decided that he was going to do something to help, and so he organized a softball tournament, and it was the first ever ICAN softball tournament in her honor.
Tyler Sansom:
And, uh, about 35 teams from all over the country came to Nashville and played in the ICAN softball tournament, and, uh, a scholarship was awarded.
Tyler Sansom:
founded, uh, in Shelby's name.
Tyler Sansom:
So she not only got help, uh, to go to school, but other people, uh, will be able to do that ongoing.
Tyler Sansom:
Now the story gets crazy because a few months after that, Zach, the coach, um, who was one of the most Christ like men that I ever got to meet, he had an unexpected fall at work off of a lift and passed away at a very young age.
Tyler Sansom:
He left behind his wife and five children, one of which was a newborn.
Tyler Sansom:
So our team that made ICANN knew we wanted to do something, and that inspired us to create something called the ICANN Foundation, which actually is launching this upcoming January.
Tyler Sansom:
It's a 501c3 nonprofit organization that's designed to help Kids all over the country, uh, and people, uh, all over the country that have had I can't moments.
Tyler Sansom:
And part of that will include a scholarship named after Zach, the coach from Nashville, that inspired all of us.
Tyler Sansom:
I only tell you this testimony for two reasons.
Tyler Sansom:
One, God will do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine with our offerings to Him, and that includes, um, using our gifts in filmmaking.
Tyler Sansom:
Amen.
Tyler Sansom:
But two, um, don't ever think that what you are making can't have an eternal kingdom impact beyond just someone seeing the film.
Tyler Sansom:
When we made, I Can, I would've never imagined that we'd be starting a nonprofit organization that will far outlive the film, and I couldn't be more excited about what God is doing through that.
