A "True Meaning Of Christmas" Story: Filmmaker Hits A Home Run With Merry Anne Bright

"With an interesting storyline and not a hint of preachiness, Faustina Bowen immerses you in the world of Merry Anne Bright, an elf who yearns for something more to Christmas beyond just making toys."

Faustina Bowen in Merry Anne Bright an Industrious Family original short film

I'm happy to co-author with our colorist, Aaron Kessler who took the time to share his positive impressions of this 5 minute short film with us. Merry Anne Bright is featured in our 2025 Christmas Special and will be available to watch on our streaming service, Industrious Family Theater.

Meet Merry Anne Bright: The Elf Who Finds the Light of Christmas

In this short film you will meet Merry, an insecure elf who is struggling to fit in at the North Pole. Christmas itself seems to pose a dilemma for her, leaving her wondering why she should put so much bustle and busyness into getting ready to celebrate one day in the middle of winter.

To teach her a lesson and to mix things up for her, Santa sends Merry on a mission to the mall. There she meets a young girl who sparks an interesting conversation with Santa in which Merry learns to look at Christmas in a whole new light. And that light is coming from the Star of Bethlehem.

Inspiration Drawn From The Knowledge That Christmas Is More Than Gifts and Glitz

"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.

"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.

"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."

So was the idea hatched into a short film Faustina almost single handedly produced. Faustina served as writer, lead actress, lead cinematographer, director, and editor of this five minute short. Some of this made for a unique outtakes reel.

When asked about the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer connection Faustina shared, "Merry and Hermie from Rudolph share a misfit connection."

One area Faustina did not do herself is the coloring. We've discovered a gem of a colorist in Aaron Kessler and he gave us a few of his candid remarks after viewing the footage.

"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."

Faustina further revealed, "Merry is always looking around herself seeing other elves who are perfectly content with their occupation and can't understand why she doesn't feel the same. She even sets out on an adventure during which she finds her place and the film ends with her having a more contented attitude."

Faustina accomplished this in a way that really works. When I first read the script, I was thrilled. I knew it would work and Aaron confirms: "Yes, the story has a lesson to it, but Faustina really warms us up to it by creating an immersive story around Merry Anne Bright and in such a short amount of time.

"I particularly like the montage and voiceover delivering the exposition. The quick cuts and variety of shots really help us feel the whirlwind that is the time before Christmas, and somehow also hints at an interior discomfort felt by our protagonist. By foregoing a more conventional approach to exposition, we are hooked from the very beginning to a story that easily could be dull. 

"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. I will look forward to many more such stories to come!"

And rest assured, there's lots more to come from the team at Industrious Family Films.