The story

Some Christmas stories are about snow and sleigh bells. This one is about grief, hope and the most unexpected of connections. Written by Lorna Clarke Osunsanmi and directed by Veronica Nichols, the film follows Jade, a guarded cybersecurity executive still grieving her husband four Christmases after his death. Camille, the woman who received his heart in a transplant, persuades Jade to travel to Lisbon for the holidays. Amid Portuguese Christmas markets, family feasts and festive magic, Jade unexpectedly falls for Camille’s brother, Alex, and rediscovers the true spirit of Christmas.

The cast

Tia Mowry leads as Jade, opposite Henderson Wade as Alex. Samya De Meo plays the free-spirited Camille, while Jake Bryan-Amaning appears in flashbacks as Zander, the husband Jade lost. Natalie Gumede plays Dionne, and Portuguese actors Pedro Carvalho, Paulo Pires and Matilde Novais join the ensemble.

Two countries, one shoot

The shoot begins at home in Bournemouth, which will once again double for America, and where our local crew is building a Portuguese-style Christmas market. We then move to Lisbon for the heart of the story, with locations including the Church and Convent of Our Lady of Grace (Igreja e Convento da Graça), high in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods.

Many of our Canterbury team return, including cinematographer Cameron Bryson, costume designer Robyn Manton and casting director Thomas Bunce, joined by production designer Julian Nagel. Adam J Merrifield produces, with Jessica Bahowick as Executive Producer and Stefan Scaini as Co-Executive Producer.

“This is a story about love finding its way back to you, and Lisbon is the perfect place to tell it. Bringing together such a talented cast and crew across two countries is going to be a joy.”