Inside TV Christmas Movies: Hallmark & Holiday Filmmaking in Hamilton | HFB x HFF Industry Day Panel

#TVChristmasMovies #HolidayFilmmaking #HamOnt

Ever wondered how those cozy, heart-warming TV Christmas movies come to life — the twinkling lights, the snowy streets, the magical small-town moments? 🎄✨

Here’s a holiday surprise: some of the world’s favourite Christmas TV movies are made right here in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada — a true North Pole for festive filmmaking.

At the ‪@HamiltonFilmFestival‬ ’s Industry Day, the Hamilton Film Board brings together an all-star panel to unwrap the joy, creativity, and behind-the-scenes magic of making holiday favourites.

Hosted by Ann Pirvu, this sparkling panel features:
🎁 Kat Barrell (A Tale of Two Christmases, Everything Christmas)
🎁 Cory Lee (A Christmas Masquerade, Baking All the Way)
🎁 Romaine Waite (Saying Yes to Christmas, Very Merry Mystery)

Together, they share festive set stories, rapid-fire production insights, on-screen holiday traditions, and why Hamilton (#HamOnt) has become a go-to destination for Christmas-movie magic.

Presented by the Hamilton Film Board and the City of Hamilton, this panel unwraps:
• How holiday movies are filmed at lightning speed
• What it’s really like acting in Christmas movies
• Why Hamilton’s streets, studios, and creative talent make it a holiday hotspot
• The delightful chaos of making a made-for-TV Christmas classic

Chapters include:
00:00 Opening Titles
00:22 Introductions
06:08 What is it you like about working in the TV movie space?
09:52 Difference Between TV Movies and Feature Films
11:24 Writing a TV Movie
13:10 Tone
22:08 Why is a lighter tone gaining such popularity?
26:13 Let's talk about Hamilton!
31:16 Advice on the TV Movie Space
37:04 Kat's Cross-Over into Directing
40:33 It comes down to process.
41:25 Audience Q&A
52:55 Wrap-Up

🎬 Fun fact: If you’ve curled up with a cozy Christmas movie lately, there’s a good chance you were secretly visiting Hamilton — transformed into a snowy, storybook world for audiences around the globe.

#HallmarkMovies #CanadianFilm #HamiltonFilmBoard #HamiltonFilmFestival #BehindTheScenes #ChristmasMovies #MadeInHamilton #FilmLivesHere #ActorsPanel #IndustryDay