168 Film Leadership

Board of Directors

Brian Bird

In addition to his most recent credits on "When Calls the Heart," Brian Bird's 30-year career in Hollywood includes writing and producing credits such as the 2013 feature film, "Captive," the true story of the 2005 Atlanta hostage crisis, currently in post-production; "Gametime" for NBC (2012), "Not Easily Broken," adapted from the novel by T.D. Jakes, for Sony/Screen Gems (2009); "The Confession" (2013) and "The Shunning" (2011) for Sony Affirm, "Saving Sarah Cain" (2008) and "The Last Sin Eater" (2007) for (20th Century Fox 2007), "Call Me Claus" (2003) for Sony, and "Bopha!" (1993) for Paramount, along with 250 episodes of network TV, including "Touched By an Angel" and "Step By Step" and "Evening Shade."  However, his best productions to date are his five children with his wife of 33 years, Patty.

Steve Puffenberger

Originally a “Multi-Image” producer for The Ohio State University, Steve has produced and exhibited hundreds of titles primarily for the business meeting/education sector over a 50-year professional career. He likes to sum it up, “everything from nuclear power plant training to fundraising for church.” In 1982 Steve founded Advent Media, Inc., which now specializes in documentary/industrial filmmaking, website development, and live-presentation content. Now joined by his son David, they continue supporting clients while pursuing the 7 Day Bible Art Challenge, a 168-hour challenge for fine artists. Steve has participated in five 168 films since 2008, producing two Signature Speed films, editing a third, winning Best Unlimited Documentary and Evangelista in 2011 for “The Main Thing,” and Best Unlimited Documentary in 2012 for “Changed on the Inside.”  

Yvette Sams

Yvette Sams is an award-winning writer/director with many projects in development. She wrote the currently streaming film A Royal Surprise for BET+ Network. This is her first TV Film (shot in Johannesburg, South Africa).  She has been active in the 168 Film Project, both in writing/producing/directing and in judging and mentoring new screenwriters and filmmakers.  Yvette wants to inspire people to believe in love, hope, and forgiveness. She has been a writer and publicist in the entertainment industry. Prior to her work in Hollywood, she was a business owner and also worked as an advertising executive in tv, radio and print. She later wrote a column in two Las Vegas publications - Nevada Family Magazine and Nevada Wellness Magazine and later became Managing Editor for Prime Plus Magazine, a local lifestyle publication. She also authored “The Helicopter Parents Guide To Surviving Senior Year,” a book to help parents of high schoolers navigate the college entry process.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Television Arts with an emphasis in Screenwriting. She currently resides in Beverly Hills, California and is repped by Richard Sindell at CSP Management.

John David Ware

John Ware is an award-winning writer, director and producer. He served as Director & Script Doctor of the feature film "Unbridled," starring Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) and T.C. Stallings (War Room). John Produced the Tesla-Inspired, Sci-Fi film “Final Frequency,” starring Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny, The Magicians), Lou Ferrigno Jr. (SWAT, Stargirl), and Josh Murray (Killing Lincoln). John is the Founder and Director of 168 Film, which includes writing and film production competitions. "168" has helped propel the lives and careers of thousands of artists all over the world by teaching them to focus on excellence of craft and on God's Word. John has produced the 168 Film Festival since 2003, working with talent such as Candace Cameron Bure, (Full House), Zachary Levi (Shazam, Tangled), Michael Learned (4-Time Emmy Winner, The Waltons), Kevin Sorbo (Soul Surfer, Hercules), Howard Kazanjian, Producer (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back), Ralph Winter, Producer (X-MEN Origins: Wolverine). John went to film school at Miami University and graduated with honors.

Executives

  • John David Ware, Founder & Director, 168 Film

Advisory Team

  • Michael Lehmann-Boddicker, Grammy-winning composer
  • Phil Cooke, President, Cooke Pictures
  • Simran Singh, Legal Counsel
  • Keith Roush, President, Roush Media