W. Johan Sturm
Chairman
Johan offers Animated Family Films leadership and experience built up over four successful decades in various international businesses. He trained as an accountant, but his entrepreneurial instincts led him into his own business endeavors following his training. Todate, these have included, a national fastfood franchise chain and extensive property development in South Africa, among others. Johan launched his first film company, Eternal Productions, in 1997, and has subsequently built distribution companies in the United States, South Africa, Australia and Europe, with an international network of preferred partners.
Johan has also produced a number of films, including The Lazarus Phenomenon which has been seen by literally millions of viewers across the world. Johan is the Executive Producer for the following films:
• The Lazarus Phenomenon (Docu-Drama)
• The Silent Fall (Live Action)
• The Lion of Judah (Animation)
• Once Upon A Stable (Animation)
• Tugger The Jeep (Animation)
• Bethlehem or Bust (Animation – in Production)
• September Testament (Live Action - in Production)
Johan has an extensive knowledge in the faith-based market, as well as in other family friendly related genre. He also holds Directorships in the following corporations which all relate to the movie industry.
| - Animated Family Films Inc. | - CEO / President - www.animatedfamilyfilms.com |
| - Animated Family Film Investments S.A. Limited | - Film Finance |
| - Eternal Productions (Pty) Limited | - Film Production |
| - Eternal Pictures Inc. | - Faith-based Distribution - www.eternalpictures.com |
| - Alliance Media Group | - Distribution U.S. - Distribution North & South America - www.amg-films.com |
| - Alliance Media Group Europe | - Distribution Europe - www.animatedmediagroup.eu |
Johan has a deep knowledge in the various aspects of the film industry. Starting in 1997 in international distribution, he grew the organization to a mini-studio with worldwide distribution.
The Group’s association with other Hollywood Producers such as Prelude Pictures, the originators of a $80 million budgeted movie called “Lost in Space”. Animated Family Films has entered into a joint venture with Prelude Pictures in the Production of a $30 million Scifi movie called “September Testament”.
As you can see Johan’s accomplishments and knowledge in the industry are vast, however what sets him apart from the rest of the industry is his infectious love for the movie business and ability to gather talented and experienced individuals together and strive for higher standards. Johan is a man of vision and understanding. In order to become successful in this industry one must surround himself with talented and skilled people that share his goals and higher standards. Johan takes careful planning so that he aligns himself with just such people and companies such as, Ron Logan, former Executive Vice President, Executive Producer, for Walt Disney Entertainment. Ron Logan is currently a member of his Executive Board of Animated Family Films. Johan has numerous contacts in the industry that he consults with on a regular basis. Johan even took careful thought in the selection of the studios that he creates his animated films with. These studios are young, talented, award winning studios that he helps to develop by bringing in experienced animators like, Tom Roth and Eric Lessard, (who worked on Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, and many other Disney and Dreamworks films). This helps to bring a talented fusion of young talent and experience to create films that surpass expectations.
Johan’s vision is “to bring back family values to movies.” Johan not only understands the film industry, but also see the influence of films on society and the general decline of morals or values in films today. He does not want to just entertain his audience for the 2 hours that they sit in the theater, but he wants his films to live in the hearts and minds of everyone.
Johan not only holds the storylines of his films to higher standards, but he also believes that the quality of his pictures should be held to the highest quality and animation as the most current successful films. Johan prides himself on staying current on the latest trends and technologies of the film industry. His most recent film “The Lion of Judah” will release in theaters in digital 3D, and he plans on future projects to follow in digital 3D releases. Johan also has stayed up to date on DVD formats, making some of his more recent films on Blu-Ray DVD, and he is currently monitoring the trend of 3D televisions in homes and researching when he will enter the 3D DVD trend with his movies.
Johan Sturm is a unique blend of vision and business sense. He believes that his current accomplishments will pale in comparison to what he can achieve in the future. His optimism is only surpassed by his passion for the film industry and the impact he can make on it.
