Episode Details

"Instead of waiting for someone else to do what I had the ability to do, I said, let me launch out and do what I can." — Julian Wilson Honoring Our Veterans Through Film When we think of "The Big Screen," we often think of Hollywood stars and multimillion-dollar budgets. But for Julian Wilson of Silver Titan Productions, the most important stories aren't found in scripts—they are found in the lives of the men and women who have served our nation. In a recent interview with Doug Apple of Wave 94 in Tallahassee, Julian shared the heart behind the Tallahassee Veterans Film Festival. A non-veteran himself, Julian felt a distinct calling in 2010 to begin documenting the stories of those who served. What started as a single conversation with a three-war veteran in a shopping mall has grown into a body of work spanning over 40 documentaries. Julian’s approach is rooted in a profound respect for the human condition. He believes that every veteran has lived two lives: the one before they entered the service and the after they began serving. By sitting down with them and simply saying, "Tell me your story," Julian provides a platform for recognition that many veterans never expected to receive. What makes Julian’s work particularly inspiring is that it is a true "labor of love." Working a regular job to fund these projects, he uses the tools he has—high-quality cameras and recording equipment—to create something of excellence for those who sacrificed so much. The upcoming festival on March 14, 2026 at the Challenger Learning Center's IMAX theater will feature three powerful stories: a combat veteran from Vietnam, a Marine with a funny tale about his mother's influence on his enlistment, and a female First Sergeant who served in Bosnia. As Julian points out, these films allow the veterans to speak for themselves. In a world of noise, Julian Wilson is teaching us the power of a quiet ear and a grateful heart. By honoring the "common soldier," he reminds us that every service is significant and each person's story is worth telling.