From humble shepherd to king of Israel, David stands as one of the Old Testament’s most iconic figures — and one of its most compelling heroes. His journey, marked by courage, doubt, faith, and failure, has inspired countless generations. That timeless arc is exactly what drew Sunrise Animation Studios co-founder Phil Cunningham to bring David’s story to the screen.

“He’s such a powerful character,” Cunningham says. “No matter your background, David’s life feels deeply relatable. He was imperfect, just like all of us. He questioned God. He voiced his fears. He lived with complete honesty. There’s a bit of David in everyone.”

That early fascination ultimately led Cunningham and his wife, Jacqui, to launch Sunrise Animation Studios. The couple relocated from Zimbabwe to Cape Town with a single goal in mind: to create a film about David. Development began more than a decade ago, with director Brent Dawes drafting the first script in 2015.

Now, following its theatrical debut in December, DAVID is available to stream on Angel Studios. Produced in collaboration with Sunrise Animation Studios, 2521 Entertainment, and Angel Studios, the 3D animated musical opens with David’s early bond with Israel’s first king, Saul, and his legendary victory over Goliath. From there, the story traces David’s rise from shepherd to warrior, and ultimately to rival for the throne.

Producer Rita Mbanga notes that the story naturally lends itself to music. “David authored many Psalms and even refers to himself as a singer in Scripture,” she explains. “Bringing that musical side of his life into the film was incredibly exciting.”

The voice cast features Phil Wickham as David, Brandon Engman as young David, Adam Michael Gold as King Saul, Miri Mesika as David’s mother Nitzevet, Mark Jacobson as Jonathan, and Brian Stivale as Samuel. Cunningham and Dawes direct from a screenplay by Dawes, Kyle Portbury, and Sam Wilson.

Dawes hopes audiences approach the film with open hearts. “Some viewers will arrive full of anticipation, others skeptical because of past experiences with faith-based media. My hope is that everyone leaves feeling surprised, moved, and inspired.”

Rather than attempting to cover David’s entire life, the filmmakers chose to focus on one central relationship: David and Saul. While the David-and-Goliath story is widely known, Dawes believes the emotional core lies in what follows.

“The real depth begins after Goliath,” he says. “Exploring the growing tension between David and Saul — and David’s confusion within that conflict — became the backbone of the film.”

As David gains popularity and Saul’s insecurity intensifies, their once-close relationship fractures. Instead of presenting Saul as a simple villain, the creative team aimed for nuance.

“Saul is a deeply complex character,” Cunningham explains. “You see two contrasting leadership styles. Saul begins with charisma and promise, but slowly shifts toward fear and control. David leads through humility, love, and trust. Saul’s arc mirrors many real-world leaders who start well, then become consumed by power.”

Dawes adds that Saul’s downfall feels especially tragic given the loyalty of David and Jonathan. “He had extraordinary people supporting him, yet allowed ego and fear to take over.”

That internal decay is reflected visually in Saul’s character design, which evolves as his mental state deteriorates. The animation team also paid close attention to hair and texture, striking a balance between stylization and realism to preserve a tactile, human feel.

“We didn’t want plastic-looking characters,” Cunningham says. “We wanted presence and personality. The Bible describes David as striking and expressive, so we emphasized those details.”

Authenticity extended to the environments as well. The production team made several research trips to Israel, studying landscapes, archaeology, and native wildlife. They visited the Valley of Elah expecting barren terrain, only to find vibrant springtime fields filled with red anemones — a discovery that reshaped the film’s visual palette.

“It completely changed our approach,” Dawes recalls. “Suddenly, the world of the film came alive with color.”

Mbanga describes the experience as unforgettable. “From caves to deserts to poppy fields, being there gave us insight that you simply can’t replicate from afar.”

More than 500 artists from 32 countries contributed to DAVID, including veterans of major studios who had worked on projects ranging from Finding Nemo and Moana to The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Religious consultants from both Jewish and Christian traditions also advised on the production.

Cunningham credits collaboration as essential to the film’s success. “There’s an African proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. This project only exists because of collective effort.”

Ultimately, the filmmakers set out to create more than a visually stunning experience. Their goal was a story that resonates across cultures and beliefs.

“People often feel they must be perfect before approaching God,” Cunningham says. “David challenges that idea. He comes with doubt, fear, and questions. His life gives permission to be human.”

The team hopes David’s journey encourages audiences to embrace authenticity, courage, and faith — reminding viewers that greatness doesn’t come from perfection, but from wholehearted living.