By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 09/20/2023 – First Capital Films (“A Fathers Fight”) in partnership with Kappa Studios, the post-production home for The Chosen, The Shift, His Only Son, announce the upcoming national release date of Friday, September 22 for I CAN – an inspirational feature-length film based on the true story of one-armed athlete Katelyn Pavey, who defied the odds by becoming an All-American college softball player. The story follows Pavey’s remarkable personal journey of triumph with plenty of I CAN‘ perseverance, her family’s love, and lots of God’s grace.
In anticipation of the upcoming national release in select cities, the producers hosted an exclusive red-carpet premiere in Corydon, Indiana on April 2 with over 500 people, followed by two-days of special screenings drawing an unprecedented 2,500 fans from the small Southern Indiana community of 3,102 people.
This film is truly one that can be labeled as “inspirational.” After watching this amazing film, how could I ever feel bad about life or where I am in it. This amazing young woman became the first All-American athlete to play college softball on a scholarship with one arm. To watch the way she handles herself, her glove and that somewhat large softball is astonishing! I just love when I am feeling sorry for myself, especially that my relationship is not going so good, that God brings these types of movies to be me to watch and report about it. The relationship with God is what matters the most. Please gather your family and go see this movie this weekend. Here is a link to find where it will be playing in your area. We all need movies like this in our lives, now.
Here is the Q&A with Katelyn Pavey, who just happens to be on her honeymoon!
The Hollywood Times: First off, congratulations on your wedding and now get back to the honeymoon!
The Hollywood Times: What was it like to be part of your “softball career” being shown in a movie?
Katelyn Pavey: It was really surreal. It is truly an honor to have been asked by Tyler to share my journey and my story. I hope that it inspires others to achieve their goals.
The Hollywood Times: Did you enjoy being part of this movie about yourself?
Katelyn Pavey: Yes, even though I could not play myself, it was really neat to see how movies are made and to help bring it to life.
The Hollywood Times: Was this story totally true about you playing softball and achieving all your goals re softball?
Katelyn Pavey: Yes, everything in the movie is true. As a family we wanted to make sure everything is accurate and factual. The only thing that is different is the time frame of when things happened. Most things happened when they did in the movie, but some things happened in college.
The Hollywood Times: How did you feel when the coach told you that you got a full-ride scholarship?
Katelyn Pavey: I felt like my hard work, my sacrifice, and my goal had been reached. It was a day I will never forget, and for someone to believe in me like that. I was ready to get to work and prove I deserve to be there and earn the scholarship.
The Hollywood Times: Do you still play in a softball league?
Katelyn Pavey: I played my last year at KCU with a re-tear of my ACL that I had previously torn. So I am just now getting fully recovered. I plan on getting involved with playing in some fashion in the near future.
The Hollywood Times: I assume you are also a motivational speaker?
Katelyn Pavey: Yes, I have done some engagements in the past and I am getting some more offers because of the movie. I am looking forward to more people reaching out and having me speak so I can try and share my story with as many people as possible. If I can help just one person, then it is worth it.
The Hollywood Times: Do you happen to remember the first time you heard the word disability and how that made you feel?
Katelyn Pavey: No I really don’t. I think those words were never spoken around me. I knew I was different and I had to do things my way, but I never felt like I had a disability. The only disability is a bad attitude.
The Hollywood Times: That is so true Katelyn, well said.
The Hollywood Times: What was it like growing up with two sisters?
Katelyn Pavey: My sisters were my biggest fans and always looked out for me. They would help with my hair or other things. I did not like when people tried to help me with some things, but I learned over time that there are some things that I do need help with or that save me time.
The Hollywood Times: What do you want folks that watch your movie to take away from it?
Katelyn Pavey: I want them to know that God Doesn’t Make Mistakes. And if one person can be inspired by my story and decide to find and follow Jesus, then it will be all worth it. That if someone with one arm can become an All- American and reach their goals, then they can also.
The Hollywood Times: Who motivated you the most growing up?
Katelyn Pavey: My family motivated me growing up, but especially my dad.
The Hollywood Times: What are your social media accounts?
Katelyn Pavey:
Instagram – Katelyn_Pavey12
Facebook– Katelyn Pavey Rockwood
X or Twitter -@ Katelyn _Pavey12
The Hollywood Times: What will you be working on once you are back from your honeymoon?
Katelyn Pavey: Well I work at the NFCA which keeps me involved in the game of softball. And we will be having an 40 year convention coming up that I will be working at. And I will also be looking forward to speaking in the future, as well as enjoying being newly married.
The Hollywood Times was able to speak with director/producer Tyler Sansom. I have to apologize for the quality of the audio, for some unknown reason there is lots of background static and I tried to edit that out, but it did not work. It was a great conversation, so put on your headphones or earbuds and listen carefully:
Tyler Sansom said that the star Danner Brown, who plays Katelyn Pavey, is a brand new actress. WOW, she did an amazing job and seemed like a seasoned actress. Way to go Danner.
Producers include Kappa Studios president, Paul Long and Kappa’s chief creative officer Brad Silverman, and is directed by Tyler Sansom from First Capital Films, I CAN is slated to release nationally this Friday, September 22, 2023 and shares the compelling true story of redemption and triumph for the entire Pavey family. The story follows the personal journey of Katelyn Pavey who was born with a rare condition that resulted in her full right arm and a small left arm ending around the elbow. “Whatever adversity that you’re faced with, you can always find a way,” says Pavey. “With God, all things are possible.”
I CAN has garnered positive pre-screening reviews and received an invitation to the prestigious International Christian Film Festival with nominations in the following categories: Best Director (Tyler Sansom), Best Supporting Actor (Daniel Roebuck), and Best Picture. The film also won Best Picture, Best Director (Tyler Sansom), and Best Actor (Daniel Roebuck ) at the Florida Faith and Family Film Festival.
Filmed in Corydon, New Albany, and Louisville, I CAN features local Indiana actors Amanda Verkamp and Jeff Armstrong.
National talent including Daniel Roebuck (The Fugitive, US Marshals, Matlock, LOST, The Munsters), Vernon Wells (Mad Max, Weird Science, Commando), and Cameron Arnett (Overcomer, Running The Bases, I Still Believe), among others.
For more information about I CAN film, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/icanmovie
https://www.youtube.com/@icanmovie3003
https://www.instagram.com/icanmovie/
ABOUT KAPPA STUDIOS
For a quarter century, Kappa Studios of Burbank, CA has been a premiere provider of film and television post production services (including editing, sound design, color grading and visual effects) to major Hollywood studios. Then, in 2016, after years of prayer, Kappa leadership made the decision to move its experience, technology, resources and relationships exclusively toward faith & family friendly content. Its current/recent work include The Chosen (TV series), Unplanned (film), Run the Race (film) and Selfie Dad (film), among others.
ABOUT FIRST CAPITAL FILMS
First Capital Films is an independent film company based out of Corydon, Indiana, who specializes in high quality production of faith-based films. The company’s first nationally released movie is A Father’s Fight.
ABOUT I CAN
A young couple has an adulterous affair, and the result is pregnancy. They abandon their respective spouses and begin life together. But when their baby girl is born, their precious Katelyn only has one fully formed arm.
Parents Eric and Salena turn their lives over to God, but Eric cannot escape the pain of thinking that Katelyn’s deformity is a sign of God’s displeasure. Surely God has passed judgment on the sinful affair and Eric lives his life thinking the next tragedy is right around the corner.
Meanwhile Katelyn grows into an incredible young woman… and an outstanding softball player. Overcoming all odds and carrying an I CAN mentality, Katelyn rises above her disability and becomes a star high-school center fielder. She does the unimaginable and plays her way toward a full NCAA scholarship!
But in her moment of truth a serious injury threatens everything. Katelyn is forced to wrestle with God’s plan for her life, and Eric is forced to wrestle with the demons of his past.
See the film’s first trailer here, which has organically grown to nearly two-million views on social media.
