Jewel Powell's Faith-Fueled Filmmaking Journey

In this episode of 'Truly Independent,' hosts Garrett Batty and Darren Smith kick off the new year with guest Jewel Powell, an emerging filmmaker who shares her inspiring journey of creating her debut film, 'Unfailing Love.' Powell recounts how she transitioned from her postal service career into filmmaking at 55, driven by faith and divine inspiration to make a modern-day adaptation of the Book of Hosea. The episode delves into the production process, budget challenges, and the hurdles she faced in the faith-based film industry. Despite being new to the field and facing rejections from major Christian streaming platforms, Powell's film has garnered significant audience attention and accolades. The hosts and Jewel discuss the gritty realism of her work, her use of personal funds to finance her film, and her plans for future projects, including a Christmas movie. The dialogue highlights the power of faith, perseverance, and community in the indie film landscape.

00:00 Introduction to Truly Independent

00:47 Meet Jewel Powell: A New Filmmaker's Journey

01:42 Unfailing Love: The Story Behind the Film

03:03 Challenges and Triumphs in Filmmaking

04:16 Divine Guidance and Unexpected Opportunities

07:37 Building the Team and Overcoming Doubts

13:22 Distribution Struggles and Staying True to Vision

17:33 Funding the Dream: Self-Financing the Film

19:09 Budget and Production Challenges

19:56 Faith and Filmmaking

21:43 Accolades and Audience Reception

23:05 Distribution and Future Projects

27:19 Box Office Insights

32:32 Upcoming Events and Projects

34:34 Conclusion and Farewell