David L. Cunningham is a renowned international filmmaker recognized for his captivating visuals, genuine performances, and thought-provoking subject matters.
Throughout his career, spanning over two decades, Cunningham has directed a diverse range of films, including big-budget studio productions, experimental independent features, and hard-hitting documentaries. He has also founded more than a dozen companies in the creative industries, including the award-winning Global Virtual Studio (GVS).
Cunningham is known for his social impact initiatives, having created several nation-changing campaigns focused on indigenous rights, human trafficking, and orphans with special needs.
Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, to American parents Loren and Darlene Cunningham, pioneers of the University of the Nations with over 600 campuses worldwide, David's family relocated to Hawai'i Island at the age of three to establish a University of the Nations campus in Kailua-Kona, which became his long-time home.
Cunningham graduated from Konawaena High School and studied film at the University of Southern California (USC).
He has had the privilege of directing a wide range of talented actors, including Harvey Keitel, Edward James Olmos, Mark Strong, Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland, Ian McShane, Christopher Eccleston, Idris Elba, Donnie Wahlberg, and Alexander Ludwig.
Cunningham is best known for the gritty World War II drama, To End All Wars (20th Century Fox),and the Primetime Emmy-winning and controversial miniseries, Path to 9/11, on ABC.
Based in Kona, Hawai'i, Cunningham founded Honua Studios in partnership with the County and State of Hawai'i. Honua Studios is the second-largest studio in the State and includes the state's largest green screen stage, sound, post, and VFX facilities.
Honua Studios is also the main hub of Global Virtual Studio (GVS),a content creation machine that develops and produces content for various platforms, including graphic novels and major feature films. GVS has key hubs in Kona, Honolulu, and Los Angeles, with a network of artists and facilities in 15 countries.
