Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb and Carrie Underwood star in the Bethany Hamilton story

The film was directed by Sean McNamara from a screenplay by McNamara, Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Deborah Bonann Schwartz, with additional writing by Ron Bass, Jen Smolka and Kara Holden, and is based on Bethany Hamilton’s memoir “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.”

“My family and I are honored to be the subject of such an amazing film,” says Bethany Hamilton. “My hope is that the story continues to inspire people around the world to overcome the challenges that face them.”
The film was produced by David Zelon, Douglas Schwartz, David Brookwell, Sean McNamara and Roy “Dutch” Hofstetter and executive produced by David Tice and Dominic Ianno, and shot on location in Hawaii.

“The world needs a hero right now,” says primary financier and executive producer David Tice. “When I met Bethany and her family, I felt compelled to share her extraordinary life on the big screen.”

“Steve Bersch and I immediately responded to the honesty of Bethany’s story and its universal message of courage and perseverance,” says Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict, who initiated and approved the production with Bersch while at Sony, and then forged the partnership between Sony and the newly formed FilmDistrict for release of the film.

“SOUL SURFER embodies an absolutely amazing story, wonderfully told by the filmmakers, and we’re thrilled to play a part in bringing this story to audiences this spring,” says Bersch, President, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.

“This movie, with its winning story and cast, is a real audience pleaser,” said Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution, FilmDistrict. “It’s the perfect family film for the spring break season.”