Award-winning filmmaker Frank Sanza ’83 returns to Bethel

Bringing The Short Game to Bethel

Frank Sanza ’83 visited his alma mater on March 20, taking an opportunity to reflect on his professional journey and inspire the next generation of storytellers. During his time on campus, he hosted a screening of his film, The Short Game; engaged in classroom discussions in the communication studies department; and led a Q&A session with students. For Sanza, returning to Bethel was a deeply meaningful experience, allowing him to share the lessons he has learned throughout his career.

He hopes that sharing The Short Game at Bethel and discussing his path in film will inspire students to pursue their creative passions, even if their careers take unexpected turns. “I graduated from Bethel with a music degree, but I ended up going into another aspect of the Arts,” he says. “Students should understand that while they may be heading in one direction now, God may lead them down a different path in the future—and that’s not only possible but perfectly okay. The things they’re learning now will be beneficial to them regardless of the path God takes them.”  

He credits his student experience at Bethel as a key influence in his career path, helping shape his perseverance—something that proved invaluable in his film career. “I played football at Bethel, and the sports philosophy of perseverance was very influential in my journey,” he says. “That mindset helped me keep going through all the challenges of making a film.”

From music to ministry to movies

When he was young, Sanza always knew that someday he would love to do something in the film industry, but at the time he didn’t have the guidance to pursue it. During his high school years he was involved in band and choir, and a pivotal moment came when the Bethel College Choir visited his home town of Napa, California. “When I heard them sing, I said, ‘I want to be a part of that. They're incredible,’” he says. He came to Bethel with interests in choral directing and majored in music with a minor in theater.

After graduating in 1983, Sanza spent a year and a half with The Refreshment Committee, a theater company founded by former Bethel professor Jeff Miller. “Miller was a professor here and played a profound role in shaping my passion for theater and storytelling,” Sanza says. He also credits Robert Berglund, professor emeritus and former conductor of the Bethel College Choir, as a strong influence. “Berglund was a renowned director of national stature. During my time here, I learned invaluable lessons about excellence from him—lessons that stayed with me and shaped my approach as I ventured into the world of film," he says. 

Soon after graduating, he felt drawn back to his home state of California. He taught music for a few years in the Napa Valley Unified School District before moving to L.A. to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. After a short season and a few IMDB credits, he felt a strong call into ministry and became a worship leader at a northern California church. “The church needed video work, so I started doing that on the side,” he says. “After a long career in church ministry that ultimately landed me in Northern Texas, I had the opportunity to open my own studio which produced regional commercials and industrial videos.” His interests evolved from music to producing video content for church services and, eventually, to storytelling through film.

A story close to home

As his video production experience grew, Sanza decided to take a big step: writing and directing a feature-length film. Developing The Short Game was a years-long process. Sanza initially worked on the script with two friends—one in Chicago, one in Los Angeles—meeting over Zoom every Saturday for nearly a year and a half. Then, he sent the script to David Parks, a producer he had met years earlier. 

“The whole process was intriguing and rewarding,” he says. “I remember saying, even if we never made this movie, it was still a rewarding process.” 

Parks read The Short Game—and he saw potential. “So we collaborated for another two or three years, raised finances for it, and ultimately produced the movie,” says Sanza. Parks’ experience in the industry was invaluable to him. “He’s been a producer in LA for 30 years,” Sanza says. “If I didn’t have him on board as our producer, I would have made mistakes and wasted money talking to the wrong people. He was a major key to making this dream happen.” 

His movie, The Short Game, tells the story of a high school golfer struggling to balance his athletic aspirations with the responsibilities of caring for his autistic younger brother. “His focus on the game is constantly tested, but he soon discovers that his brother possesses a remarkable savant-like ability to read the greens and interpret the elements—an unexpected gift that transforms him into an invaluable caddie. They form an unstoppable team, and in the process, their bond deepens, making this not just a sports story but a heartfelt tale of brotherly reconciliation,” Sanza says. “I also have a golf background—I played on my high school team—and they say, ‘write what you know.’” 

But the film’s emotional core is even closer to Sanza’s heart.

“My wife Pamela and I adopted our son Ty from China when he was three years old. We discovered a few years later that he was autistic. He’s 19 years old now and he’s been a real joy to Pam and I as well as a special little brother to my daughter Hannah,’ Sanza says. “A lot of things from his life have found their way into our script—some of his idiosyncrasies, his personality. That was really the heart of the story.”  

International recognition

Now, after years of hard work, The Short Game is making waves in the film festival circuit.

It has been accepted into a number of festivals and won four Best Picture Awards internationally and domestically, with a few more festivals left on the calendar. When The Short Game started winning awards and receiving praise from critics, Sanza knew they had created something special. “I’m really proud of the fact that it’s resonating with people,” he says. “We’re very excited about the potential for this movie.”

Faith and filmmaking

Sanza’s faith plays a central role in his storytelling. “My whole life journey is totally reliant on Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him, and that was strengthened here at Bethel,” he says. With The Short Game, Sanza wanted to create a film that reflected Christian values. “I wanted to have Christian characters in it, but if I were to take them out, the story itself would still stand on its own,” he says. “I wanted it to be inspiring and entertaining for everyone—not just a Christian audience. I didn't want to just speak only to the Christian world—I wanted to speak to the whole world.”

At the same time, he was intentional about portraying faith in an authentic way. “So often in Hollywood, I’ve seen that Christians are depicted as either idiots or zealots,” he says. “I wanted to portray a more realistic view of a Christian family dealing with life's issues” 

Advice for aspiring filmmakers

For students interested in filmmaking, Sanza emphasizes that opportunities are more accessible than ever. “There’s technology available today that I didn’t have when I was in school,” he said. “The editing software, the cameras, and even iPhones that can shoot incredible footage. So take advantage of those opportunities to learn.” He also encouraged students in other fields—such as business and marketing—to explore careers in the film industry. “I learned so much about the legal aspects of making a film—the attorneys we had to hire, the marketing people, the budgeting,” he says. “It’s not just about being a director. There are so many ways to be involved in film.”

Looking ahead

As for what’s next, Sanza is focused on The Short Game and where it might go from here. “I’m retired, so I haven’t thought too much about what’s next,” he says. “Right now, I’m just enjoying this process.” But if there’s one thing his journey has taught him, it’s to keep moving forward—one step at a time.

“That’s what I always say—just put one foot in front of the other,” he says. “It’s a long process, but if you don’t give up, it can happen.”

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