Jerzy Szkamruk
screenwriter and cinematographer
Together, we will create a film that will remind the world of St. Maksymilian Kolbe's message of peace, love and hope - a bridge between tradition and the present, spirituality and everyday life as well as faith and universal values. Join us and become a part of this inspiring journey!
We will tell the story of St. Maksymilian Kolbe's remarkable dream, which came true after nearly 80 years. What happened before our eyes is bears fruit today and inspires future generations! St. Maksymilian – an international hero of faith – is a figure known worldwide! With your help we can make this unique film and ensure that its message reaches millions of hearts.
Dear Contributors, Friends of our film,
We wholeheartedly thank you for your support and trust. Thanks to you we have completed the first stage of the fundraising campaign – production preparation. This allows us to move on to professional filming stage.
The funds collected in the first stage were allocated to the preparation of the film, including: developing the script, full film documentation, test shoots, production preparations, casting actors, establishing a shooting schedule and signing contracts with the creators and actors.
Thanks to your generosity and favorable circumstances, we were able to film in Rome, Italy, where St. Maksymilian spent his youth: a time of education, maturing of faith, and strengthening the spirituality that later radiated throughout his life and work. We believe that these moving scenes will become a strong foundation for the story we are creating together.
With gratitude and a sense of responsibility we begin the second stage, which is filming.ㅤDuring this time, both documentary and feature shots will be created. This is the stage where the production begins to form real shapes.
If you feel that this story is important and wish to be a part of it, we would be incredibly grateful for your support in the next phase. Your support goes beyond financing the production - it is a real contribution to a work meant to convey a spiritual message, hope and inspiration.
Saint Maksymilian was not only the founder of the monastery in Niepokalanów, at the time the largest in the world – but also a visionary who deeply believed in the power of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our film tells the story of his extraordinary spiritual vision, which, although born in the 1930s, was not fulfilled until 80 years after his martyrdom. It is the proof that great ideas, when aligned with God's will, can endure for generations and find their reflection in reality.
Jerzy Szkamruk is a film director and producer with over twenty years of experience. His creations include films starring world cinema and music stars, such as „"Chopin’s Story by Ian Gillan from Deep Purple".”He has produced for the Discovery Channel and TVP including "Benedykt Polak - wielcy odkrywcy" („Benedict of Poland – great explorers”), that attracted a million viewers on TVP2. He is the author of cinematic films, including "Złączyć się z Narodem" („To Rejoin the Nation”), about Polish repatriates from Kazakhstan. His latest film, "W Intencji Pokoju" ("For the Intention of Peace"), which addresses religious values, was rewarded with numerous awards at international film festivals. In Poland, it was honored with the prestigious "For a Film That Changes Lives" award – the St. Maksymilian statuette – at the 39th Maksymiliany 2024 International Film Festival in Wrocław. This award inspired the production of our next film.
The film will feature many well known Polish and international actors. The main narrator, telling the story of Maksymilian, will be Dariusz Kowalski, alongside Andrzej Mastalerz and Marcin Kwaśny, equally well-known from numerous TV series and films. Also the renowned director Krzysztof Zanussi, creator of the first film about St. Maksymilian, will take a statement about the protagonist. The production will involve artists - builders of the Altar of Adoration - as well as clergy, including the parish priest from Niepokalanów. The remaining creators involved in the fictional and documentary scenes will be revealed as we go. One of the key themes of the film is the presentation of human testimonies and extraordinary events received through the Immaculate Virgin, which occurred after the chapel's opening.
The creation of each film requires the collaboration of many people who share their knowledge and creativity so that all elements of the production form a coherent and aesthetically whole.
With a donation of PLN 1,000 or more you will receive an invitation for two people to the official premiere of the film "The Dream of Saint Maksymilian".
At any time you can watch other films directed by Jerzy Szkamruk on our website under the "COMPLETED PROJECTS"” tab and on our YouTube channel. There, you will find, among others, "Chopin Story by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple" and "Secrets of Crude Oil" - a four-part series for enthusiasts of popular-science.
We want to express our gratitude for your support through prayer! Starting March 25, 2025, every day for a year will be celebrated Holy Mass at the Minor Basilica in Niepokalanów for the intentions of all our Contributors.
Let's tell this extraordinary story together. Support the creation of the film "The Dream of Saint Maksymilian."
Together, we can ensure that the message of faith, hope and love reaches audiences all over the world. Let us share the legacy of our Saints and be proud of them!
How can you help?
Companies and individuals who wish to engage in our project at various levels of support - including e.g. placing boards informing about the film's patronage - are kindly asked to contact us directly at: film@12gwiazd.pl
Support our fundraising campain and become part of this unique work!
