By Paul Salfen AMFM Magazine – Holiday Issue 2025
In a season that begs for stories of light breaking through darkness, one animated film is stepping forward with the kind of bold, soul-stirring ambition we haven’t seen since The Prince of Egypt swept into theaters more than 25 years ago. DAVID, the new feature-length musical from Angel Studios, arrives in theaters December 19th, and if the passion radiating from its two lead voice actors is any indication, audiences are in for something rare: a family film that entertains, inspires, and refuses to talk down to its youngest viewers.
I sat down (virtually, of course) with Brandon Engman, who voices the teenage David, and Brian Stivale, the voice of the adult King David, right as the finishing touches were being put on the animation. The excitement in their voices was immediate and contagious.
Special is the word that kept coming up. Both actors described the project less like a job and more like a calling.
Brian, whose warm baritone has graced everything from major video-game franchises to blockbuster animation, admitted, “When I read the byline on the script for the audition, I thought, Oh my God, I desperately want to be a part of this. It’s something that’s so close to my heart.”
That heart, it turns out, beats in rhythm with the 1998 classic The Prince of Egypt. “They’ve completely succeeded in bringing that soul food back,” Brian continued. “That type of animation, that musical we need as families in the theater again.”
From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling, a few stones, and unshakable faith steps forward. What follows is a sweeping journey of loyalty, love, courage, and the cost of a crown—told this time with breathtaking original songs and animation that, according to both actors, stayed remarkably faithful to the earliest concept art.
Brandon, who first entered this world voicing Young David in the Angel Studios streaming series, had a unique vantage point. “I was probably one of the first voice actors on the film,” he said, “so I really didn’t get to see any animation or hear any other voices. It was just me alone in a booth, making the magic happen.” He grinned. “But having done the series, I could envision the world. And the writing—man, if it’s not on the page, it’s not going to be on the screen. The writing here was excellent.”
Brian nodded enthusiastically. “When I finally saw the picture of Samuel, I could hear him. That’s good animation right there.”
Both men were quick to credit the directing trio—Ned Lott, Brett Dawes, and Phil Cunningham—for holding a crystal-clear vision from day one. “You almost didn’t need any other reference,” Brian said, “other than great direction and the words on the page.”
Of course, the road to any animated feature this ambitious is rarely smooth. I asked them about their personal “Hail Mary” moments—the times they had to throw the long pass and simply trust.
“For me, this whole project,” Brian answered without hesitation. “Eight years in the making. Lots of ups and downs. Moments of doubt, moments of soaring hope. This was the Hail Mary.”
Brandon laughed. “I’m going to concur—this movie. Because of what it represents and how personally attached I am to it. Nothing has touched my heart the way this has.”
When I pressed them on what keeps them grounded in an industry notorious for chewing people up, the answer came in unison: faith and family first.
Brian put it plainly: “If you put the industry first, you’re married to the wrong thing, man.”
Brandon added, “Every step I take is ordered. I trust that. And rather than having some ultimate portrait I painted be the endgame, I walk every day out in faith knowing there’s going to be something awesome along the way.”
So what do they hope audiences carry out of the theater when the credits roll and the lights come up?
Brian’s voice grew quiet but steady. “We want them to leave entertained and inspired—full of inspiration. There are themes in this movie that are so poignant, so timely right now: Follow the light. Find peace—find shalom. Do not be afraid. We are stronger together than we are separated or alone. And don’t let doubt—because you’re always more capable than you think.”
Brandon smiled. “Keep the faith.”
As we wrapped, both actors circled back to one final plea: see DAVID together. In theaters. Starting December 19th. And if you can, use the Angel app to pay it forward so kids who might never get to a cinema can experience it too.
Because some stories—especially one about a shepherd boy who changed history with five smooth stones and a heart aimed at God—are too important to watch alone.
DAVID. In theaters December 19, 2025. This Christmas, bring the whole family. Bring a friend. Bring hope. And maybe, just maybe, leave the theater ready to face your own giants.
