David Carl Kniess – The Gift

We had the opportunity to interview David Carl Kniess, the director, writer and one of the producers of The Gift. The Gift is having the World Premiere at the Utah FIlm Festival on Friday January 6th at the Towne Hub in American Fork Utah. 

The Gift is the story of Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal Jason L. Dunham and the Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. It is a story of courage, sacrifice, and love.

How will we live… how will we make a difference?

These are the questions the Marines of Kilo Company ask themselves, as they search for a purpose and gather the strength to move forward with their lives.

What was the inspiration to make The Gift?

I was inspired to make this film because I met Cpl Jason Dunham before he deployed to Iraq.  After years of knowing his family and his Marines, I was inspired ton tell his story.

From idea to completion, how did The Gift change?  

The idea never changed.  I always wanted the story to be told by those he served with.

What was the biggest challenge in getting The Gift made? 

The biggest challenge was traveling cross country during covid.

What do you think is the most important takeaway from your show?

I think the most important take away from The Gift is learning what our service members go through, duri9ng and after a combat deployment.  It also shows the love they have for each other.

If you could have a do over with The Gift is there anything that you would have done differently? If so, what would you change?

I would have spent more time with the wives of these Marines.

What do you have in the works?

We have a few projects in the works, one in particular about the last days in Afghanistan.

David is an award-winning producer, director and editor with over 20 years of experience working in network television, marketing and advertising. His recent work on the Ricky Schroder produced documentary series, My Fighting Season and The Volunteers, earned him 2 prestigious PromaxBDA Awards.