With the temperatures dropping and days getting shorter, it’s just about time for Christmas movies.
Chicago-based filmmaker Jack C. Newell (one of our favorite indie filmmakers) has another treat in store for us.
His uplifting, family-friendly holiday movie Reporting for Christmas will premiere on Hulu November 1, where it will be streaming exclusively this holiday season.
Reporting for Christmas follows idealistic reporter Mary Romero on an assignment to do a puff piece about a Christmas toy manufacturer and the charming toymaker who inspires Mary to search her heart to find true happiness.
Directed by award-winning, Jack C. Newell (Christmas with Felicity, Monuments) the film stars Tamara Feldman (The CW’s Gossip Girl, Walker), Matt Trudeau (NBC’s Chicago Fire, ABC’s General Hospital), Kelvin John Davis (Showtime’s The First Lady, NBC’s Chicago P.D.), Maura Kidwell (Hulu’s The Bear, USA’s Sirens), D.B. Sweeney (The Cutting Edge, Eight Men Out), and more.
Reporting for Christmas is primarily set in the fictitious town of Brunswick, Iowa, but most of the movie was shot on location in Historic Downtown Long Grove, which Fox News named one of “The ten best Christmas towns in America” in 2021. Long Grove staples Brothers’ Field, Country House, Enzo & Lucia Ristorante, Sock Monkey Museum, and The Village Tavern are among the many local businesses featured in the film.
Additional photography took place at educational toy manufacturer Learning Resources and its sister company, hand2mind, in Vernon Hills with CEO Rick Woldenberg and his family making cameos. Filming also took place at The Cherry Tree Inn B&B in Woodstock, which cinephiles will recognize as the iconic bed & breakfast from Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day, as well as various locations in downtown Chicago, including WTTW’s Chicago Production Center and Italian Village Restaurants.
Reporting for Christmas is the second holiday title from Very Merry Entertainment, a joint venture between the Illinois-based Throughline Films and Argonaut Entertainment Partners. Throughline partners John W. Bosher and Chris Charles produced the film. Argonaut’s Jonathan Bross, Long Grove’s own Michael Okun, Vanessa Shapiro of Nicely Entertainment, and Feldman served as executive producers along with Ted Reilly, Kelly Aisthorpe Waller, John Waller, and Markie Glassgow of Chicago Media Angels.
Post-Production was done at Journeywork Entertainment and Noisefloor in Chicago. Nicely is handling worldwide distribution and arranged the premiere on Hulu.
“Long Grove and the surrounding area couldn’t be a more ideal backdrop for Christmas movies,” said Bosher. “We’re grateful to all the communities and businesses for welcoming us with open arms.”
The producers remain true to their word by creating local jobs in addition to providing everyone involved exposure to a global audience.
“We’re huge fans of Hulu and couldn’t be happier partnering with them for the release of this film,” added Charles.
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