Alabama fans, this one is for you.
Directed by Jimmy Jenkins, a filmmaker, director and media entrepreneur, and narrated by Lil Rel Howery, "Nothing but a Winner" is a new documentary that explores the legendary rise of the University of Alabama football dynasty and the coaches who built it (Bear Bryant and Nick Saban." Set amid civil rights-era change, the film goes beyond sports to examine how discipline and faith forged a path to leadership, and can be seen in theaters beginning July 31.
From feature films and documentaries to animation and education, Jenkins is carving out a distinct lane in entertainment with bold, genre-defying storytelling rooted in faith, identity, and cultural legacy, emerging as one of this generation’s most impactful creative voices. Up next for the director is "God with Us," a high-concept, faith-driven film set in a future where society has erased belief systems, which is currently in pre-production. Jenkins is also the founder of "Playwatch Kids," a groundbreaking animation and streaming platform serving over one million children nationwide.
Through Playwatch, he’s developing original series like "The Marvelous Light," and is also collaborating with Whoopi Goldberg on new animated content focused on uplifting and educating minority youth. Separately, Jimmy has partnered with Will Packer ("The Divine Nine") and Reginald Hudlin ("The Rise and Fall of Chocolate City") on a slate of upcoming scripted and documentary projects—further expanding his impact across genres and formats.
We sat down with Jenkins ahead of the premiere of "Nothing but a Winner" to learn more about the documentary and his future projects.
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SN: Thanks so much for chatting with us, Jimmy! What made you want to tell the story of Alabama football specifically?
Jenkins: Honestly, I was just curious. What is it about this school—this program—that lets them win year after year? I’m used to seeing teams win once or twice, maybe go back-to-back if they’re lucky. But Alabama? They kept doing it. So I started digging, doing research, and that’s when I really got hooked. I started learning about the history—Bear Bryant, Nick Saban—two of the greatest coaches ever, both from the same place. That was wild to me. I wanted to understand what made this program different, what made those coaches tick. That curiosity turned into this film.
SN: What was your directorial process for this documentary? How did you approach it?
Jenkins: Man, the first thing I did was research. A lot of it. I wanted to go deep. We had conversations with players before we ever turned a camera on. We spoke to people who aren’t even in the film but helped us understand the full picture. We went down to Tuscaloosa, spent time in the city, walked through the museums, and just fully immersed ourselves in Alabama football.
By the end of it, I felt like a fan myself—like I could roll with Bear Bryant or suit up for Saban. I came in with a deep respect, knowing this story had to be told right. The pressure was real—if I got it wrong, I probably couldn’t step foot in Alabama again! So I took that seriously. I wanted to honor the culture and the legacy of what’s been built down there.
SN: The film is narrated by Lil Rel Howery. What was it like working with him?
Jenkins: Lil Rel is the secret sauce of this film, no question. He was the perfect person to take this thing to the next level. He’s such a kind, grounded dude—even with all his success in Hollywood, he made the process so smooth. If I could pick anyone in the world to narrate this, I’d pick Rel every single time.
We had a great time recording, just vibing in the studio. He brought so much heart and personality to the narration. And honestly, he’s probably the last person you’d expect to narrate an Alabama football doc—but that’s what made it fresh. He showed up and *delivered*. He’s a winner in his own right, and I’m just grateful he was part of it.
SN: Were there any challenges you ran into—like finding footage or getting access?
Jenkins: Oh yeah—the biggest challenge was just *getting in*. Alabama football is like Fort Knox. You can’t just walk in and say, “Hey, I’m doing a documentary.” It took time, the right conversations, the right relationships. Getting access to Coach Saban, the museum, all of that—that was the hardest part.
They’re super tight-knit, very protective of their program. And rightfully so. But once we earned their trust and got the green light, things opened up a lot more. That first wall, though? That was tough.
SN: Let’s talk about your next project, "God With Us." Can you tell us more about it?
Jenkins: I’m really excited about *God With Us*. I grew up in the church—my dad has one of the largest churches on the East Coast—so faith stories are personal for me. I always wanted to tell a dope, modern-day faith story, and that’s what this is.
It’s kind of a nativity story reimagined, but in today’s world. And we’ve got some amazing people in it—Laura Rotimi, Aspen Kennedy, Ashley Rios, GregAlan Williams. I think it’s going to surprise people. It’s fresh, it’s heartfelt, and it’s something I’ve wanted to make for a long time.
SN: How’s it been working with Will Packer and Reggie Hudlin?
Jenkins: Man, it’s been a blessing. Working with Will and Reggie? That’s a dream. These are two giants in the game—people who’ve changed the culture and opened doors for so many of us.
They’ve poured so much wisdom into me. They don’t just want me to make a good project—they want me to succeed in this industry long-term. They see me as part of the next wave, and they’ve been intentional about mentoring and guiding me. I’m grateful for that. If I can get even close to the legacy they’ve built, I’ll be good.
SN: What do you want people to take away from "Nothing But A Winner?"
Jenkins:
I want people to walk away feeling like they can win, too. This film isn’t just about football—it’s about life. It’s about discipline, consistency, mindset. If you apply those principles to *whatever* you’re doing—your job, your art, your goals—you can be a winner.
This movie is for everyday people. People chasing something. People who need that reminder that they’ve got what it takes. I hope by the time the credits roll, folks are fired up. Ready to go after their dreams, ready to believe again. That’s the prayer. That’s the mission.
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