The Andrew Klavan Show The Catholic Priest Who Gave His Life At Auschwitz | Cecilia Stevenson
Sep 17, 2025
Cecilia Stevenson, a film producer known for her work on faith-based stories like Triumph of the Heart, shares insights into the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish priest who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Holocaust. They discuss the journey of transforming Kolbe’s powerful story into a feature film, including challenges in production, casting in Poland, and the importance of portraying Auschwitz with respect. The conversation highlights the film's faith-driven message and its grassroots release strategy.
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Short Film Seeded The Feature
- The team first made a 20-minute short in 2017 for a Dallas diocesan young adult series on suffering.
- The short's warm reception later motivated expanding the story into a feature film.
Leverage A Short As Proof Of Concept
- Use a short film as a proof of concept to attract investors and hosts.
- Pitch locally and let small donations aggregate into a viable production budget.
Set Deadlines And Welcome Incremental Gifts
- Set a clear fundraising deadline and production timeline to focus efforts.
- Accept incremental gifts and be open to unexpected major contributions to reach your goal.