In a new episode of the Faith Film Fest Podcast, we sit down with Director, Writer and Producer Tanner Christensen to talk about the powerful true story behind his film Standout: The Ben Kjar Story. Tanner shares his journey from longtime film editor to first-time director, and how a deeply personal connection led him to tell the inspiring story of Ben Kjar—a world-champion wrestler born with a rare craniofacial condition.

Our conversation explores the challenges of making a faith-forward documentary independently, from fundraising and production to editing and distribution. Tanner also reveals the remarkable, faith-filled moments behind the film, including the miraculous casting of a young actor who shares Ben’s condition. At its core, this episode is about empathy, perseverance, and learning that God doesn’t call us to blend in—but to stand out for a reason.

Listen to the full interview with Tanner Christensen here.

For more conversations with filmmakers, festival insights, and resources on faith-driven storytelling, be sure to explore more episodes of the Faith Film Fests’ Podcast. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and more.