GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Moviegoers might recognize some of the backdrops of a new Christmas film set to premiere Friday.
From Next Horizon Studios, Global Content and Hollywood Film Group, “A Soldier for Christmas” was filmed entirely in West Michigan.
The romance-drama follows the story of a woman named Hannah, who is a military widow, and her young daughter as they “rediscover the joy of Christmas in a world forever changed while fighting for healing and love.” It stars Renay Rayes, Joe Barra and Cameron Arnett.
Michigan native Aaron Greer, owner of Next Horizon Studios, said there were a couple things that inspired him to bring this story to life.
“I have a lot of close friends and family members who are in the military, so I wanted to make a film that just honored their service and then also to show support to the families that do have servicemen and women all over the world,” Greer said. “The second thing was the story did come out of a little bit of me working through some grief in my family. My wife and I had actually gone through an interrupted adoption last year, so this film dealing with loss and how do you overcome loss and rediscover joy and love again, that was an important thing for me to kind of just — that was my creative way of working through it this last year.”
Greer said he only had one week to film the movie, which was shot last winter. Some of the filming locations include Grand Rapids City Gym, Unison Christian Church, Amore restaurant, downtown Holland and Holland State Park.
“A little cold on Lake Michigan during (that) time of year, but we made it work,” Greer said.
The film director added that he’s hopeful people will be inspired by the film’s recurring theme: Christmas is a season for faith and hope.
The movie will premiere Friday, Nov. 1, at Celebration Cinema Rivertown and will have showings at least through Thursday, Nov. 7. You can purchase tickets in person at the box office or online here. Greer expects the film to begin streaming sometime in 2025.