UNTAMED produces human-centered and emotionally true international documentaries. They pursue stories of spiritual and narrative depth, with a bias for hope, risk, and redemption.
This current series of six films is the first of more to come, with a next iteration of films currently being produced in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
After a degree in philosophy and graduate studies in theology and psychology, Sean’s first frames shot were in the year 2000. Armed with a first-generation digital camera and a plane ticket, he flew to Sudanese refugee camps in Northern Uganda to explore indigenous forms of Christian worship among the survivors of one of the longest civil wars in human history.
Sean went on to build a career in international NGO work, partnering with rural communities in post-genocide reconstruction; the economic development of landless farmers across Central America; the rehabilitation of child soldiers in Uganda; and fighting malaria across East Africa.
His program advocacy campaigns have impacted millions, using film and photography to tell stories of resiliency, hope, and healing from trauma.
Sean is an avid sailor, and lives with his family in Seattle, WA.
John’s films have screened in the world’s most prestigious film festivals and won numerous awards, including an Oscar Nomination (KAVI, Best Live-Action Short Film Nominee, 2010) two Student Academy Awards, and jury prizes from SXSW and Tribeca Film Festival.
In 2002 he saw James Longley’s documentary GAZA STRIP and was moved by its remarkable combination of beautiful images and deeply human moments. Since then, his work has been strongly influenced by other great vérité filmmakers, especially the camerawork and filmmaking philosophy of Albert Maysles.
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Film Production Program (MFA) and lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and three children.
PRODUCTION COMPANY: UNTAMED
PRODUCERS: Sean Dimond & John Harrison
DIRECTOR: Sean Dimond
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Johnny Valencia
Johnny previously contributed cinematography to Terence Malick’s upcoming film, WAY OF THE WIND, and music videos for artists including Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and Imagine Dragons.
EDITED BY: John Harrison & Sebastian Jones
Sebastian served as editor for several of Terrence Malick recent films, including SONG TO SONG, and A HIDDEN LIFE.
MOTION GRAPHICS: Deven James Langston
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Liralen Isaac
PRINCIPAL ADVISOR: Christopher R. Brewer
ADVISOR: Don Hudson
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This series was made possible by a grant from the Templeton Religion Trust.
Templeton Religion Trust (TRT) is a global charitable trust chartered by Sir John Templeton in 1984 with headquarters in Nassau, The Bahamas. TRT has been active since 2012 and supports projects as well as storytelling related to projects seeking to enrich the conversation about religion. TRT’s aim is to improve the well-being of individuals and societies through spiritual growth and an ever-improving understanding of spiritual realities and spiritual information. |