FUNDING
Merry Anne Bright: Christmas in the Trenches

🎄 A New Christmas Film Is on the Horizon

At Christmas 2024, we released a short Christmas film titled "Merry Anne Bright".

It told the story of a young elf sent on a mission by Santa Claus, where she—and the little girl she is sent to help—learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Now, Merry is back. 
And this time, her mission takes her somewhere far more somber—where her message quietly carries even more weight.

The Story

Instead of being sent to the modern era, Merry is sent this time to an American World War II military camp.

It’s December.
The weather is brutal.
Morale is low.
And many of the soldiers believe Christmas can have no place here.

“How can we celebrate when the world is at war?”

Merry has been sent by Santa with a message for these men:

Christmas is not about the exterior celebration, decorations, or peace on earth—but about Christ’s birth.

And because of that belief, Christmas can be celebrated wherever people are.

Why This Story Matters Now

First and foremost, the Merry Anne Bright series exists to entertain, while naturally teaching a good moral in the undercurrent story.

It’s a fresh Christmas story set during World War II—filled with characters you can root for, moments that make you smile, and a setting that interests audiences.

Rather than focusing on battles or military strategy, the film centers on:

• Young men far from home
• Camaraderie, banter, and lighthearted moments
• The kind of hope sneaks in when it’s least expected

This isn’t a heavy war film with a Christmas scene added on.

It’s a Christmas story—with warmth, humor, and truth—set in a dark period so the light can shine brighter.

Progress So Far

This project isn’t just an idea—it’s already well underway.

Here’s what’s been accomplished so far:

• The script is complete: The story is written and ready to be brought to life.
• Casting is in progress: We’re currently selecting the actors who will bring these characters to the screen.
• Props and costumes are selected: Everything we need has been added to the cart—we’re simply waiting on funds to purchase them.
• Locations are being scouted: We’re actively looking for filming locations and planning to shoot before the snow is gone, while the weather is still working in our favor.

The Exciting Part?

We only need $150 to officially begin production.

Once that initial funding goal is met, we can start purchasing costumes and props and move from pre-production into filming.

This is a very time sensitive project—and your support helps push it to the starting line. We have to film it now if we want to have it ready for next year's Christmas Special!

How You Can Help

This film is being independently funded.

Your support directly enables:

• Set design and props
• Costumes
• Post-production and music

How Your Support Brings the Film to Life

Every contribution, no matter the amount, plays a real and tangible role in bringing Merry Anne Bright: Christmas in the Trenches to the screen.

Below is exactly how each level of support helps make that happen.

$1,200 — Half of the Film’s Original Score

Music carries the heart of the story.

This level covers half of the cost of the film’s original score, helping shape the way audiences experience the film.

$500 — Expanding the Film’s Reach

Covers a portion of our online and local advertising, helping ensure the film reaches its projected audience.

$250 — Bringing the Film to the Community

This level covers either:

A portion of our online and local advertising, or
The entire production budget

$100 — Supporting the Look of the Film

Covers either:

A portion of our online and local advertising, or
All costumes used in the film

$50 — Building the World of the Story

Covers one of the following:

A portion of the production budget
The cost of one costume
A portion of our local and online advertising

$25 — A Month in the Local Paper

Covers either:

Advertising in the local paper for one full month, or
The cost of two film props

$10 — One More Detail on Screen

Covers either:

A one-week local paper ad while contributing to online advertising, or
The cost of one prop used in the film

Every Gift Matters

Whether you help fund the music, a costume, a prop, or a single week of advertising, you are part of this film’s success. Each contribution helps ensure that this Christmas film can reach the people who will enjoy it most.

Why We’re Making This Film

We believe Christmas stories should do more than entertain.

They should:

Remind us what Christmas truly means
Offer hope in difficult times
Be made for families to enjoy together

Merry Anne Bright: Christmas in the Trenches exists to do exactly that.

Join Us

If you enjoyed the first Merry Anne Bright short film…
If you value faith-filled entertainment…
If you believe Christmas can be celebrated anywhere…

We invite you to help bring this story to life.

Thank you for being part of this journey.