Hannah's Homecoming

Hannah's Homecoming

Bruce Von Stiers

Hannah Gerard is a singer/ songwriter who has made back home to spend time with her family. But things aren't exactly cheery for this Christmas season. It seems that her mother has cancer and isn't doing well.

This is the basic plot for the short drama film December To Remember. It is a faith-based film with a spiritual, uplifting message.

Hannah has a younger sister, Ella, who doesn't speak. It seems that the death of their grandmother caused such a trauma for Ella that she became non-verbal. Hannah also has another sister, Abigail, who is several months pregnant.

Because things are not going well, Hannah tries to get her fiancé Travis to change their wedding plans, but he's not receptive. And there's Hannah's former boyfriend, Derek, whose acting dreams didn't pan out. And he has become somewhat closer to Hannah's family.

In a moment of true adversity, something akin to a miracle happens for the family.

Marisa Lynae Hampton stars as Hannah Gerard. She co-starred in Cheer For Your Life and Into The Spotlight. Liv Davenport is Ella. She starred in the short fantasy drama, Unbreakable Connections.

Shelah Larson is Hannah's other sister, Abigail. She co-starred in Losers of Eden and Silent Echo.

Todd Terry is John Gerard, Hannah's father. He appeared in an episode of Walker and a recent episode of Lioness. Anna Terry is Grace, Hannah's mom. She appeared in a couple of Texas zombie films and Pursuit of Happiness.

David Michael Reardon is the ex-boyfriend, Derek. He co-starred in Running The Bases with Todd Terry and stars in the crime action series Red Hood: Resurrection.

Even though he's only heard and not seen, Lucas Hyde is Travis, Hannah's fiancé. He appeared in an episode of Will Trent.

Ron Leone and Bob Leone have basically walk-on parts in the film.

The film was written by Melissa Goad and Bob Leone. It was directed by Melissa Goad. She's acted in a dozen films and directed They Don't Cast Shadows. The film was produced by Inspireworks Productions, a company Goad and Leone founded. Among other things, Leone is an artist and faith-based novelist. His novel, They Don't Cast Shadows, was the basis for the film that I mentioned above.

The cinematography was done by Alexien Long. He was the cinematographer for They Don't Cast Shadows and for several short films.

The song that Hannah sings in the film was written by Sharayah Daves. Earlier this year, Daves won the Bluebird Golden Pick monthly songwriter contest.

December to Remember is a film that is inspirational but not too preachy. It was meant to be, as the Melissa Goad put it, “something very relatable, but with a message of hope.” I think that the film did just that.

The production company is looking towards expanding the story into a feature film. It will be an interesting story to fully develop. Will mom recover from her cancer? Will Hannah get married or get back with her old flame, Derek? A lot of possibilities there.

At the present time, December to Remember is being submitted to various film festivals. It is an Official Selection for the upcoming Santa Clarita International Film Festival.

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