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Entrepreneurial Catholic Nun Engages Young People Via Film-Making

Sister Josefina Albuquerque, a Catholic nun from Mumbai’s western region, combined her love for movies and learning. She crafted a 7-minute narrative film using just a mobile device in a span of two days, aiming to unite today’s youth through her faith-inspired cinematic work.

In Mumbai’s western region, Sister Josefina Albuquerque, a Catholic nun, embarked on a cinematic journey targeting contemporary youth.

Her talent is showcased in a compelling seven-minute narrative film, crafted using only a mobile device over a mere two-day period.

A member of the Religious of Jesus and Mary Congregation, Sister Josefina serves as the principal of St. Agnes High School in Byculla, Mumbai. While she excels in the education field, her heart also beats for cinema. While her strength wasn’t in scriptwriting, she had an eye for the visual storytelling.

The enforced quiet of the Covid-19 lockdown allowed her to hone filmmaking and editing techniques.

Her fascination grew with the tribal communities of Aarey forest during a visit. This inspired her to film the documentary, “Under the Banyan Tree: A Journey to Inner Truth.” The documentary narrates the tale of an engineer who forgoes urban luxuries to reside in Mumbai’s Aarey forest, teaching locals to pursue their true purpose by advocating for their rights.

For her portrayal of tribal life in the Aarey forest, Sr. Josefina earned high praise for her directorial prowess.

“As someone in charge of youth ministry in my religious community, I observed that our youth invest most of their time on social media. I believed I would only reach them by fortifying oneself with media and digital studies. That’s the moment I decided that I needed to enroll in a professional filmmaking course,” said Sr. Josefina, in an interview with Vatican News.

Besides her role as a principal, she is now attending the Filmmaking Program at St. Paul’s Communication Centre in Bandra, Mumbai. This venture ignited her desire to create a cinematic portrayal of children’s lives.

She crafted a film titled “D for Dumbo” with a modest budget at St. John the Evangelist School in Marol, Andheri, Mumbai. The story revolves around Sam, a young fourth-grader ridiculed for his slower math recall. Yet, when faced with a creative challenge by a different teacher, the boy, often labelled the ‘class dumbo’, surpasses his peers.

The film earned top honors from St. Paul’s Institute in Bandra, Mumbai. Bollywood legend Naseeruddin Shah presented the award to Sr. Josefina. Currently, “D for Dumbo” is set to feature in the upcoming ALP International Film Festival online.

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Mel Gibson Calls ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Sequel “An Acid Trip”

Mel Gibson is back with a bold vision, revealing details about the long-anticipated sequel to The Passion of the Christ—and it’s going to be, as Gibson himself puts it, “an acid trip.” Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the film picks up where the 2004 epic left off, with Jim Caviezel returning as Jesus, thanks to some CGI de-aging magic.

Gibson, speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, shared that the script, co-written with his brother Randall Wallace, has been seven years in the making. It’s “super ambitious,” exploring everything from “the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle.” According to Gibson, that means venturing into realms like Sheol and even hell itself, promising a story that’s anything but ordinary.

While admitting the project will be challenging, Gibson says he’s ready to step up to the plate. “I’m not wholly sure I can pull it off, to tell you the truth,” he confessed. “But I’ll take a crack at it.” With a potential release next year, this promises to be a cinematic experience unlike any other! Stay tuned for updates on this monumental journey.

For the full story, visit Relevant Magazine.

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Conclave Writer Responds to Megyn Kelly’s ‘Anti-Catholic’ Claim

At the 2025 Golden Globes, Conclave screenwriter Peter Straughan responded to Megyn Kelly’s fiery critique calling the film “the most disgusting anti-Catholic film I have seen in a long time.” Straughan countered, saying, “I don’t think the film is anti-Catholic,” emphasizing its message about preserving the Church’s spiritual essence—something he considers deeply Catholic.

Director Edward Berger chimed in, explaining the film wasn’t intended as a “takedown” but as a human portrayal of Church leaders, highlighting their struggles and conscience. He welcomed the debate, noting that controversy can lead to meaningful conversations.

Now streaming on Peacock, Conclave dives into the drama of a papal election, unpacking themes of faith, power, and human imperfection. The film’s take on the Church has sparked heated discussions among viewers and critics alike.

For the full story, visit People.

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Teen Tech Whiz ‘God’s Influencer’ to Be First Millennial Saint

Carlo Acutis, the teen tech whiz dubbed “God’s Influencer,” is on track to become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Famous for his devotion to the Eucharist and his website cataloging Eucharistic miracles, Carlo’s faith and talent left a lasting impact.

With Pope Francis recognizing a second miracle attributed to his intercession in May 2024, his canonization is now set for April 2025 during the Jubilee of Youth. A modern saint for a digital age, Carlo continues to inspire Catholics worldwide.

For the full story, visit NPR.