In a time when stories of hope and resilience resonate deeply, Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho, a beautifully crafted animated feature, brings the timeless Old Testament tale to life. Premiering on major VOD platforms like Apple TV and Fandango starting June 3, 2025, this film offers a powerful journey of faith, courage, and divine triumph that captivates audiences of all ages. AMFM Magazine recently sat down with producer and co-writer Amir Kovacs to discuss the creation of this biblical epic, its personal significance, and its unexpected relevance in today’s world.
A Story 20 Years in the Making
For Kovacs, the journey to bring Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho to the screen spans over two decades. “The screenplay has been on my bookshelf for probably more than 20 years,” Kovacs shared. “Rewrites after rewrites.” The film, which took three years from pre-production to completion, recounts the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership, culminating in the miraculous fall of Jericho’s impregnable walls. This story, an article of faith for Jews, Christians, and others, follows the Israelites’ 40-year desert odyssey after their liberation from Egypt, delivering a testament to unwavering devotion.
Initially conceived as a live-action epic, the project’s scope and cost led Kovacs to explore other formats. “Live action on a biblical epic story at this magnitude is extremely expensive,” he explained. After an unsatisfactory attempt at a graphic novel, Kovacs found his answer in animation. Partnering with an animation studio, he realized this medium could reach both younger and older audiences, making the story accessible to families while preserving its profound message. The 2D, old-school animation, with its charming imperfections, enhances the film’s authenticity, complemented by an original score by Daniella Kor.
A Personal Connection to Joshua’s Story
Kovacs’ connection to the Book of Joshua is deeply personal. Growing up in Israel, he vividly recalls an animated schoolteacher who brought the story to life. “She would almost act it out,” he said, describing how she recounted Moses passing the leadership baton to Joshua, the first Israelite general, to lead the nomads into the Promised Land. “I was completely sold on my favorite story of the Old Testament.” As an Israeli who served in the IDF, Kovacs sees the story as part of his identity, making it a natural choice for his filmmaking debut.
While the film was not intended to comment on current events, Kovacs acknowledges its unintended relevance amid Middle East turmoil. “I wrote that screenplay 20 plus years ago, and I went to production three years ago. I did not expect this to happen,” he said. He hopes audiences will view the film as a pure artistic translation of the Book of Joshua, encouraging them to explore the original text. “I think people are going to translate the story in their own way,” he added. “I cannot tell people what to think. I can only show them what I think.”
A Message of Faith and Perseverance
At its core, Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is about faith. Kovacs draws parallels between the Israelites’ trust in God’s improbable plan—marching around Jericho for seven days, led by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant—and the personal resilience required to pursue dreams. Reflecting on his own journey, Kovacs shared a pivotal “Hail Mary” moment when he left a medical career to chase his passion for filmmaking. Supported by his wife, a surgeon, he recommitted to his dream, driven by a desire to inspire his daughter. “How can I tell my daughter, go follow your dreams, when your own father is not doing it?” he asked.
Kovacs’ philosophy of embracing failure as part of the creative process resonates throughout the film. “I accept the fact that every morning when I wake up, I’m going to fail,” he said. “But I’m going to try not to.” This mindset, echoed in the film’s message of faith over brute strength, has struck a chord with audiences. “A lot of the feedback that I’m getting is, ‘We’ve learned something today,’” Kovacs noted, citing reviews from outlets across Canada, Europe, America, and Israel. The film’s ability to inspire viewers to revisit the Book of Joshua is a source of pride for him.
Accolades and Future Plans
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho has already garnered significant recognition, winning “Best Animated Film” at the 2025 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival and earning third place for “Best Picture” at the 2025 International Christian Film & Music Festival, where it received five nominations. Produced by PartingSeas Productions and distributed by BMG-Global, the film features a talented voice cast, including Mac Rogers as Joshua and Merri Jamison as Rahab, with animation led by Abhijit Charkraborty and Indraharayan Datta.
As the first installment of a planned trilogy, the film sets the stage for more stories to come. Kovacs is excited about the future, teasing, “I have some things that I’m going to pull out. It’s going to be great.” He encourages aspiring filmmakers to follow their passion, echoing advice from actor Jon Voight: “Go make a movie. Figure it out.” With today’s technology, Kovacs believes anyone can tell their story. “If I can do it, anybody can do it,” he said.
Where to Watch and Connect
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is now streaming on major VOD platforms, including Apple TV and Fandango. Fans can follow the film’s journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under “Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho.” Kovacs welcomes interaction, promising to respond to messages personally. “I take time to talk to people. I enjoy it,” he said.
This film is more than an animated spectacle—it’s a call to faith, resilience, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams. As Kovacs hopes, viewers will leave inspired to climb their own walls, trusting in the power of belief.
Amir KovacsWriter/Producer:
Amir Kovacs is an actor, writer and producer celebrated for his versatility and compelling storytelling. Born in Haifa, Israel, Kovacs was always known as the family storyteller, although his early career followed a different trajectory. He earned a diploma in architecture and served in the Israeli Defense Forces before moving to the U.S.at age 22, wherehe obtained a medical degree.Despite his achievements in other fields, Kovacs ultimately returned to his first passion—storytellingthrough filmmaking. Under the banner of his Los Angeles-based production company, Parting Seas Productions, Kovacs brings powerful, human-centered narratives to life, often rooted in faith, heritage and personal history. Most recently, Kovacs produced the award-winning, animated feature film Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho, a dramatic retelling of the Biblical story, released in 2025 by BMG Global. The film combines rich visual storytelling with timeless spiritual themes. His upcoming feature, Goodbye Komárom, currently in pre-production, is based on the true story of his grandmother’s escape from post-WWII Hungary. The project reflects Kovacs’s ongoing interest in stories of survival, identity and the enduring strength of family.
