These Kid's Historical Shorts Not Only Celebrate Historic Events But Also Tell Stories From History

At Industrious Family Theater, we believe that history should inspire and educate — especially for young audiences. That’s why we’ve created these kid’s historical shorts, a special collection of short films designed to bring important moments in history to life in an engaging, age-appropriate way.

Stories have always been used to pass on valuable lessons from history to the next generation. With filmmaking being the medium of the day, these kid's historical shorts are the perfect way to wrap up a study on a period of history.

Whether they are fictional like The Storyteller, imaginative spin-offs like Heaven's Match, speak of generic figures like Home Army, or tell of a very specific event like The Six Deaths of Rasputin, every short here explores a time period of interest.

Every film is carefully chosen to be family-friendly, historically accurate, and rooted in strong moral values. These films aim to spark curiosity about history while inspiring virtues like bravery, sacrifice, and faith.

Explore the past and inspire the future with our kid’s historical shorts — only on Industrious Family Theater!

01 The Storyteller

Colin Martin in The Storyteller
Savory Pictures

The Storyteller is a short film that combines heartfelt storytelling with a touch of 1960s car racing history. Set in the Shelby Museum, the film offers stunning visuals of classic Shelby cars and racing memorabilia.

Written and directed by Allison Volk, the story follows Chase, an Iraq war veteran suffering from PTSD, who works nights as a janitor at the museum. Through an unexpected phone call, Chase connects with a young boy, sharing a tale of 1960s Shelby racing that helps both characters face their inner struggles.

Perfect for fans of kid's historical shorts, The Storyteller explores the healing power of sharing stories without coming across too strong as Chase faces his own fears and calms those of the child on the other end of the line.

Discover the Inspiration Behind The Storyteller with Filmmaker Allison Volk

02 Home Army

Emma Jones in Home Army
Verso L’alto Productions

During World War II, the Polish Home Army stood as the largest and most courageous resistance movement against the Nazi regime. Home Army captures a glimpse of their heroic story through the eyes of a young courier risking her life to deliver a secret newspaper.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview, director Aidan Jones shares how he brought this story to life. Inspired by a desire to tackle a period piece, Jones crafted a tense and emotional short film. Through small but powerful details, like the heroine’s whispered Rosary, the film vividly portrays the constant danger faced by the couriers.

The Silent Resistance: A Polish Home Army Story

03 Lest We Remember

Conall Palin in Lest We Remember
Rós Órga Productions

Lest We Remember is an interesting short film created by Irish filmmakers, offering a quiet yet powerful glimpse into the lasting effects of World War I. The story follows an Irish soldier returning home from the front, only to encounter a mysterious, unfinished piece of music that challenges him to wrestles with the echoes of his past.

Adding a unique layer to the story is the subtle, eerie presence of a friendly ghost — a reminder that the past, though unseen, is never far away.

Beautifully filmed and thoughtfully acted, Lest We Remember captures both the sorrow and the hope that linger after great conflict. Experience this Irish tale, now streaming on Industrious Family Theater.

Lest We Remember: A Haunting Reflection on the Past

04 The Six Deaths of Rasputin

Becket Bowen in The Six Deaths of Rasputin
Industrious Family Films

If your kids enjoy history with a touch of mystery, The Six Deaths of Rasputin is the perfect historical short to captivate their imagination. This engaging film delves into one of Russia’s most infamous figures, Rasputin, and explores the multiple assassination methods he survived.

From poison to gunshots, and even drowning, this kid-friendly historical short highlights how Rasputin became known for his seemingly unbreakable will to survive.

Rasputin’s mysterious death is presented in a way that will not only keep children on the edge of their seats but also spark their curiosity about historical events. Along with fun movie reviews of Anastasia and The Last of the Tsars, this page is packed with exciting content to encourage young learners to explore history.

Kid’s Historical Shorts: The Six Deaths of Rasputin – A Tale of Mystery and Survival

05 Max & Carlota

James Phillips, Michael Bowen, and Gabriel Pimentel in Max & Carlota
Industrious Family Films

Max & Carlota tells the true story of the Second Mexican Empire, established in 1864. Archduke Maximilian von Hapsburg, encouraged by his wife Carlota, accepts France’s offer to become Emperor of Mexico. Inspired by high ideals, they dream of freeing the country from debt and tyranny.

However, political tides turn against them. As France withdraws support and the liberal president gains power, Max and Carlota fight separate, desperate battles to save their adopted homeland. Their courage and sacrifice lead to a tragic fall, ending their reign but not their legacy.

Revived by Anne Carroll and Industrious Family Films, Max and Carlota brings to light a forgotten chapter of 19th-century history, celebrating two figures who gave everything for a dream of freedom.

Max & Carlota: The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Empire

06 Pelayo

Patrick Bowen in Pelayo
Industrious Family Films

Pelayo is an inspiring kid's historical short that brings to life the incredible story of Pelagius of Asturias. Set in 8th-century Spain, this short film focuses on Pelayo’s legendary stand against the Muslim forces, showcasing both his military leadership and unwavering faith. Created by Industrious Family Films, this film is designed to captivate young audiences while teaching important lessons about courage, trusting in God, and standing up for what's right.

With beautiful cinematography and a powerful soundtrack, Pelayo tells the gripping story of how Pelayo and his small band of warriors, against all odds, defended Christian Spain with the help of Mary's intercession. This kid's historical short is perfect for families looking for meaningful, faith-based entertainment that highlights heroism and the importance of trusting in God's plan.

Pelayo: A Kid's Historical Short of Faith and Heroism

07 Heaven's Match

Patrick Bowen in Heaven's Match
Industrious Family Films

In this imaginative short film by Industrious Family Films, the timeless biblical story of Jacob wrestling the angel takes a modern twist. In this rendition Jacob faces an angel dressed in a singlet, who hands him one as well.

The two engage in an intense, physical wrestling match that tests Jacob's strength and perseverance. The match extends into overtime, with both determined to win. However, just as the battle intensifies, the rising sun signals the angel’s departure, leaving Jacob with the lesson that after tonight’s battle, no challenge will be too great.

Watch Now: A Faith-Fueled Short Film of Jacob Wrestles an Angel in a Modern-Day Showdown