What if the true meaning of Christmas is meant to be more than rush, routine, and one hectic day in December?

That question sits at the heart of Merry Anne Bright, a short, family-friendly film that gently invites viewers to rediscover Christmas as something Christ-centered, prayerful, and peaceful — without preachiness, and with genuine heart.

Produced by Industrious Family Films, this six-minute short is available on Industrious Family Theater, where family fun meets meaningful entertainment created for your family’s soul.

Runtime: 6 minutes

Release Date: November 27, 2025

An insecure elf, lost in the commercial meaning of Christmas, learns from Santa Claus Who Christmas is really about.

Watch Merry Anne Bright. A six-minute story about the true meaning of Christmas. Now streaming exclusively on Industrious Family Theater.

Merry Anne Bright is available exclusively on Industrious Family Theater, the subscription streaming service dedicated to Christ-centered, family-friendly films.

With one subscription, your family can enjoy Merry Anne Bright—along with a growing library of faith-filled stories curated to help edify Catholic family life not detract from it.

Entertainment for your family’s soul.

If you loved this first Merry Anne Bright, be sure to check out our crowd-funding page to help the second film come to life.

Merry Anne Bright introduces us to Merry, an insecure elf struggling to find her place at the North Pole. While the other elves appear perfectly content making toys, Merry feels unsettled. Christmas itself has become a puzzle for her — a blur of bustle and busyness focused on preparing for just one day.

Wondering why it all matters, Merry begins to question whether Christmas should be something more.

To shake things up — and perhaps teach her an important lesson — Santa sends Merry on an unexpected mission to the mall. There, a conversation with a young girl gently reframes Merry’s understanding of Christmas.

What she discovers points beyond the noise and commercial trappings toward something timeless and eternal — symbolized by the Star of Bethlehem.

Filmmaker Faustina Bowen draws inspiration from classic Christmas storytelling many families grew up loving.

"I think that there were two films from my childhood that hugely influenced this short film," shares the filmmaker, Faustina Bowen. "Those two movies are the VeggieTales film The Toy that Saved Christmas and the old 1964 stop-motion film Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."

The influence is subtle but effective. Viewers may recognize the same sense of longing found in characters who feel out of step — and who ultimately discover that Christmas has a deeper purpose. Merry Anne Bright goes a step further showing that the purpose of Christmas is undeniably the Christ Child.

"Although I didn't intentionally do it when I was scripting, looking over the completed film I always find myself singing the 'There Must Be More To Christmas' ditty from The Toy That Saved Christmas."

That sense of discontent is central to Merry’s journey.

"What reminds me of this song is the discontent Merry feels over her approach to Christmas. I think deep down she feels like Buzz-Saw Louie—Christmas has got to be more than just a day to give and get."

Merry Anne Bright is very much a labor of love. Faustina Bowen served as writer, lead actress, lead cinematographer, director, and editor — an impressive feat, especially for a short film completed with such clarity and focus.

This hands-on approach gives the story a cohesive, personal feel, supported by warm visuals and effective storytelling.

One important contribution came from colorist Aaron Kessler, who helped bring the film’s world to life. After viewing the footage, he shared the following impressions:

"Faustina Bowen immerses you in the world of Merry Anne Bright, an elf who yearns for something more to Christmas beyond just making toys. If I was told to watch a movie about the true meaning of Christmas, I would probably refuse. Such movies are often too preachy and devoid of an interesting story.

"But Faustina really pulls you in with a relatable character who might have the same feelings as many of us; that Christmas has a deeper purpose to it that is far more wonderful than snow and hot chocolate and gifts from a department store."

Kessler also highlights how the film avoids abstraction by grounding its message in lived experience:

"Finally, the character of Alessandra makes the whole concept very personal. The lesson of Christmas becomes intimate, and not just a dry abstract concept. It is about the real lives of people, and not merely a talking point from a middle aged person who feels resentful at a world that does not respect his values."

The result is a story that feels sincere, relatable, and accessible — especially for families seeking Christ-centered entertainment during Advent and Christmastide.

Merry Anne Bright is available exclusively on Industrious Family Theater, home to entertainment for your family’s soul — where faith, hope, and family fun come together.

If you’ve ever felt that Christmas should be more than stress and schedules…
If you’re looking for Christ-centered stories your whole family can enjoy…
If you want entertainment that points gently but clearly to the true meaning of Christmas…

This short film is a beautiful place to begin.

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