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IMDbPro

Sean McNamara(I)

  • Producer
  • Director
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Sean McNamara
Based on a true story, young surfer Bethany Hamilton (Robb) summons the courage to return to the ocean after losing an arm in a shark attack.
Play trailer2:20
Soul Surfer (2011)
7 Videos
25 Photos
To capture the essence of Sean McNamara's skills as a Director, one need not look further than critics' reviews of his latest theatrical work on "Soul Surfer" for Tristar Pictures/FilmDistrict.

"Soul Surfer is the kind of sturdy, satisfying family drama that doesn't get made very often anymore. But even beyond that, at crucial moments it shows there's actually a brain behind the camera. If only more pictures - made on any budget - could be that way... McNamara's respect for his viewers, and for the story he's telling, elevates the movie above ho-hum conventionality." - Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline

"The movie dazzles in its surfing sequences, in which the director, Sean McNamara, works nimble editing and a tropical palette to a fine sheen." - Andy Webster, The New York Times

"It's a good, solid family film; if there ever was a better movie to pass along a message about perseverance, courage and faith and also highlight the sheer glory of riding a wave, I can't imagine it." - Connie Ogle, Miami Herald

"Soul Surfer" is the culmination of a career in entertainment that has spanned over twenty years in producing, writing and directing. The cast, which includes Academy Award Winner Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb and Carrie Underwood, shines in the inspirational tale of pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton who tragically lost her arm after a shark attack. McNamara's shots are as well-composed as his actors are well-directed and the result is a film filled with as much heart and emotion as gleeful suspense.

Over McNamara's years in entertainment, he has carved a niche for himself as a premiere family film director with a keen eye for new talent. He can be credited with discovering stars such as Shia LaBeouf and launching the feature careers of Jessica Alba and Hilary Duff.

Along with his partner, David Brookwell, McNamara has successfully turned their company, Brookwell/McNamara, into one of the most sought-after youth television and film production companies.

In only a few weeks of release "Soul Surfer," which cost just shy of 18 million dollars, has crossed the 40 million dollar mark making it a bona-fide hit for everyone involved. On top of that, it also received a Cinemascore of an A+ which remains the highest rated film of the year so far.

Sean is also a four time DGA Award nominee, Emmy nominee, and BAFTA Award winner.
BornMay 9, 1962
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMay 9, 1962
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 17 wins & 21 nominations total

    Photos25

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    Known for

    Dennis Quaid in Reagan (2024)
    Reagan
    6.2
    • Director
    • 2024
    AnnaSophia Robb in Soul Surfer (2011)
    Soul Surfer
    7.0
    • Producer
    • 2011
    Erin Moriarty in The Miracle Season (2018)
    The Miracle Season
    6.5
    • Director
    • 2018
    Bau: Artist at War (2024)
    Bau: Artist at War
    5.4
    • Producer
    • 2024

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Producer



    • Home
      • producer
      • Post-production
      • 2026
    • Will to Win
      • producer
      • Post-production
    • Trinity
      • produced by
      • Development Unknown
    • Romeo Killed Juliet
      • producer
      • Pre-production
    • Millions in Moher
      • producer
      • executive producer
      • Pre-production
    • Finding Famiglia
      • executive producer
      • Post-production
    • 21 Down
      • executive producer
      • Post-production



    • Soul on Fire (2025)
      Soul on Fire
      6.7
      • produced by
      • 2025
    • Shadrach (2024)
      Shadrach
      8.3
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Bau: Artist at War (2024)
      Bau: Artist at War
      5.4
      • producer
      • 2024
    • Teagan Croft in True Spirit (2023)
      True Spirit
      6.8
      • executive producer
      • 2023
    • Moonrise (2022)
      Moonrise
      6.4
      TV Movie
      • produced by
      • 2022
    • Pierce Brosnan and Kaya Scodelario in The King's Daughter (2022)
      The King's Daughter
      5.2
      • produced by
      • 2022
    • Just Swipe (2021)
      Just Swipe
      3.8
      • executive producer
      • 2021
    • Butch Bradley: From Las Vegas (2021)
      Butch Bradley: From Las Vegas
      8.1
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2021
    • Terry Moore and Isabella Blake-Thomas in Evie Rose (2021)
      Evie Rose
      4.9
      Short
      • producer
      • 2021
    • Victoria Summer, Emma Grace Arends, and Jaime Adler in Across the Pond
      Across the Pond
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • JL Family Ranch 2 (2020)
      JL Family Ranch 2
      5.9
      TV Movie
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite (2020)
      Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite
      3.8
      Video
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Alex Zahara, Tristan Risk, and Travis Turner in Aliens Stole My Body (2020)
      Aliens Stole My Body
      3.4
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Janel Parrish, Raven-Symoné, Alexa PenaVega, Levi Dylan, Carlos PenaVega, and Tommy Ragen in Mighty Oak (2020)
      Mighty Oak
      5.2
      • produced by (p.g.a.)
      • 2020
    • Sand Angels (2020)
      Sand Angels
      3.3
      • producer
      • 2020

    Director



    • Home
      • Director
      • Post-production
      • 2026
    • Harmony
      • Director
      • Pre-production
      • 2027
    • Young Santa
      • Director
      • Development Unknown
    • Will to Win
      • Director
      • Post-production
    • Trinity
      • Director
      • Development Unknown
    • The Last Firefighter
      • Director
      • Post-production
    • The Adventures of Doubting Thomas
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Six Bullets to White Rock
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Silent Knights
      • Director
      • Script
    • Romeo Killed Juliet
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Fear of the Fin
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Creature
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Absolute Surrender
      • story in The Hollywood Reporter
      • Development Unknown
    • 21 Down
      • directed by
      • Post-production



    • Soul on Fire (2025)
      Soul on Fire
      6.7
      • directed by
      • 2025
    • Dennis Quaid in Reagan (2024)
      Reagan
      6.2
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Shadrach (2024)
      Shadrach
      8.3
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Bau: Artist at War (2024)
      Bau: Artist at War
      5.4
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Sean Astin, Jeremy Piven, and Elena Kampouris in Vindicta (2023)
      Vindicta
      4.3
      • Director
      • 2023
    • On a Wing and a Prayer (2023)
      On a Wing and a Prayer
      5.5
      • Director
      • 2023
    • Jon Voight, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Laura Mennell, Will Sasso, Skyler Shaye, Bradley Stryker, Kaya Coleman, Megan Charpentier, and Dylan Playfair in Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders (2022)
      Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders
      4.5
      • Director
      • 2022
    • Pierce Brosnan and Kaya Scodelario in The King's Daughter (2022)
      The King's Daughter
      5.2
      • Director
      • 2022
    • Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams-Paisley in Sister Swap: Christmas in the City (2021)
      Sister Swap: Christmas in the City
      5.9
      TV Movie
      • Director
      • 2021
    • Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams-Paisley in Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday (2021)
      Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday
      6.3
      TV Movie
      • Director
      • 2021
    • Butch Bradley: From Las Vegas (2021)
      Butch Bradley: From Las Vegas
      8.1
      TV Special
      • Director
      • 2021
    • JL Family Ranch 2 (2020)
      JL Family Ranch 2
      5.9
      TV Movie
      • Director
      • 2020
    • Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite (2020)
      Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite
      3.8
      Video
      • Director
      • 2020
    • Alex Zahara, Tristan Risk, and Travis Turner in Aliens Stole My Body (2020)
      Aliens Stole My Body
      3.4
      • directed by
      • 2020
    • Janel Parrish, Raven-Symoné, Alexa PenaVega, Levi Dylan, Carlos PenaVega, and Tommy Ragen in Mighty Oak (2020)
      Mighty Oak
      5.2
      • Director
      • 2020

    Writer



    • Trinity
      • screenplay
      • Development Unknown



    • Space Warriors (2013)
      Space Warriors
      4.5
      • screenplay
      • story
      • 2013
    • AnnaSophia Robb in Soul Surfer (2011)
      Soul Surfer
      7.0
      • screenplay
      • screen story
      • 2011
    • Beyond the Break (2006)
      Beyond the Break
      6.7
      TV Series
      • creator
      • writer
      • 2006–2009
    • Viky TV (2009)
      Viky TV
      9.0
      TV Series
      • original idea
      • 2009–2012
    • Francesca Catalano and Jessica Williams in Just for Kicks (2006)
      Just for Kicks
      5.4
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 2006
    • Raven-Symoné in That's So Raven (2003)
      That's So Raven
      6.7
      TV Series
      • written by
      • 2006
    • Even Stevens (2000)
      Even Stevens
      7.6
      TV Series
      • written by
      • writer
      • 2001–2003
    • Wild Grizzly (1999)
      Wild Grizzly
      4.3
      TV Movie
      • teleplay
      • 1999
    • Henry Winkler, Jessica Alba, Brandon Baker, Kenneth A. Brown, Tim Redwine, and Patrick Renna in P.U.N.K.S. (1998)
      P.U.N.K.S.
      4.8
      • story
      • 1998
    • Hulk Hogan in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998)
      3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
      3.1
      • written by
      • 1998
    • Larisa Oleynik in The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994)
      The Secret World of Alex Mack
      7.5
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 1994

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos7

    BAU, ARTIST AT WAR OFFICIAL TRAILER
    Demo Reel 2:29
    BAU, ARTIST AT WAR OFFICIAL TRAILER
    "Night Surfing" from Soul Surfer
    Clip 0:49
    "Night Surfing" from Soul Surfer
    "Night Surfing" from Soul Surfer
    Clip 0:49
    "Night Surfing" from Soul Surfer
    Soul Surfer
    Trailer 2:20
    Soul Surfer
    Cody the Robosapien
    Trailer 1:37
    Cody the Robosapien
    Cody the Robosapien
    Trailer 1:37
    Cody the Robosapien
    Space Warriors
    Trailer 1:44
    Space Warriors

    Personal details

    • Official sites
      • Brookwell McNamara Entertainment
      • Company website
    • Alternative name
      • Sean Patrick McNamara
    • Height
      • 6′ 3½″ (1.92 m)
    • Born
      • May 9, 1962
      • Burbank, California, USA
    • Spouse
      • Ellen Ensher McNamara? - 2008 (divorced)
    • Publicity listings
      • 4 Articles

    Did you know

    • Quotes
      Cut, Print, Genius, moving on!
    • Nickname
      • Big Mac

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