From Homeschool Movie Nights to a Full Catholic Epic: Mary Bowen on Filming Fabiola – 08/05/2026

Mary Bowen recounts how her family avoided mainstream films growing up until, at fourteen, she watched the low-budget homeschool production The War of the Vendée and realized a family could make movies of its own. Since 2017, Industrious Family Films has produced seven feature films and more than twenty other productions, with each project sharpening the family's skills as directors, cinematographers, and actors. Their newest project, Fabiola, adapts the classic novel of the same name and follows a pagan Roman noblewoman during the last great persecution of the Church. Drawn to the courage of her Christian friends — including Saints Sebastian, Agnes, and Tarcisius — she must choose between a comfortable pagan life and a faith that could cost her everything. Two scenes have already been filmed on location in Idaho, including cave scenes and footage at the sand dunes. Inspired by the success of Angel Studios and The Chosen, the Bowen family is now raising funds for their first fully-budgeted film, with fundraising continuing through 2026, principal filming planned for 2027, and release targeted for fall 2028. Visually, Bowen says the film draws on the look of Golden Age Hollywood classics like Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments alongside the modern polish of films like Disney's Aladdin. How to get involved Watch filmed scenes and learn more about the story: FabiolaMovie.com Investment opportunities and one-time donations are available on the site above via the contact form Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on the Catholic Radio Network, IowaCatholicRadio.com, or the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFilm #Fabiola #IndustriousFamilyFilms #CatholicMovies #FaithBasedFilm #CatholicRadio #TheCatholicMorningShow   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.