A HOLIDAY I DO
Frazzled, single mom Jane (Hicks) is raising 10-year-old Lexi (Hahn) and managing her family’s horse farm following the loss of her father … holding it all together with a little moral support from her mom (Larson) and their festive neighbors. When she agrees to be the best (wo)man in the elaborate, yuletide wedding of her BFF ex-husband, Mark (Piazza), she finds herself navigating an emotionally charged holiday, a bridezilla fiancé (Chappell), a raging blizzard and a surprise visit from a no-nonsense banker (Warfield). Things become even more complicated and hectic when an unexpected romance sparks between her and the wedding planner, Sue (Reyes). As the big day looms, Jane’s going to need a little Christmas magic to not only clean up the mess she’s made, but to rescue her family’s farm before it’s too late.
Smalltown divorcee and farmgirl Jane is in the midst of planning the final events of her BFF/ex-husband Mark’s upcoming wedding. When he and his fiancee Heather get stranded by snow, Jane steps in with the wedding planner, triggering chaos. A HOLIDAY I DO is a charming cup of cheer for these festive months ahead.
The ensemble cast is delightful. Kayden Bryce, Marsha Warfield, Colette Hahn, Mandy Logsdon, Cameron Judd, and Dale Dobbs make you laugh and smile the entire film.
India Chappell gives Heather the precise amount of jealousy and meltable iciness, countering Mark’s (Joe Piazza) boy next-door aura. Jill Larson is Jane’s mother, Mary Ellen. Unbeknownst to the family, the farm is on the verge of bankruptcy. Larson is like a warm hug. She is an uplifting presence and an ideal mother figure.
Rivkah Reyes plays Sue with approachable sophistication. Her warm smile invites you in. Lindsay Hicks plays Jane with a brightness that mirrors the film itself. Her charming awkwardness is spot on. Hicks masters the art of romcom slapstick. The relationship between Jane and Sue develops naturally. Reyes and Hicks’ chemistry is endearing.
The score by Phil Tipping and Kanoa Wolfe-Doblin perfectly matches the light-hearted, breezy premise. Its sweet simplicity lulls the viewer into a calm state. The dialogue is cute and accessible, especially for families with younger LBGTQ members. A HOLIDAY I DO is an excellent addition to the Hallmark-esque holiday films on Tello.
A Holiday I Do
Holiday, Romantic Comedy, LGBTQ+ / 93 Minutes / Not Rated
From Tello Films and Rock Solid Creative Studios, A Holiday I Do was directed by Paul Schneider and Alicia Schneider from a screenplay by Melinda Bryce, based on a story by Paul Schneider and Alicia Schneider. Produced by Jennifer Nichole Lee, Paul Schneider and Alicia Schneider. Cinematographer was Jackson Swan. Music composed by Phil Tipping and Kanoa Wolfe-Doblin. Casting by Carmen Aiello. Production Designer was Nancy Oeswein.
Pre-order: Nov. 1 / Premieres: Nov. 10
Rent A Holiday I Do for $6.99 (14 days) or purchase the film for $14.99.
Make the season even more gay! Rent more yuletide fun in a special movie four-pack for just $10.99 (14 days) that includes the acclaimed LGBTQ+ Tello holiday romcoms Christmas at the Ranch, Merry & Gay, I Hate New Year’s and Season of Love:
· Christmas at the Ranch, starring Lindsay Wagner (Grey’s Anatomy; SyFy’s Warehouse 13; The Bionic Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, Marcus Welby, M.D.) and Amanda Righetti (Captain America: The First Avenger, Friday the 13th, The Mentalist).
When a high-powered executive reluctantly returns to her family’s Nashville ranch just before Christmas, her introduction to ranch hand Kate goes terribly awry. But now they must put their differences aside and band together to save the homestead … and perhaps discover that finding love isn’t always where (or who) you expect. Featuring a holiday-inspired, original soundtrack.
· Merry & Gay, starring Dia Frampton (runner up in the inaugural season of The Voice and lead singer of the band Meg & Dia), Andi René Christensen (Bel-Air, Hacks), the first non-binary actor to star in a lead role in a holiday romcom, and Stella Parton (Nothing is Impossible, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors).
When Becca finishes her run starring in a popular Broadway musical, she leaves New York City to spend the holidays with family and friends in her sleepy Tennessee hometown and to direct the annual Christmas pageant. Ecstatic, her well-meaning, but meddling mom and her best friend hatch a plan to reunite Becca and Sam, who were childhood pals and high school sweethearts. Featuring an upbeat, holiday-inspired soundtrack of all original music,
· I Hate New Year’s, starring Dia Frampton (runner up in the inaugural season of The Voice and lead singer of the band Meg & Dia), Ashley Argota (The Fosters, Lab Rats, Broadway’s The Lion King) and Candis Cayne (The Magicians, Grey’s Anatomy, I Am Cait, Elementary, Dirty Sexy Money).
Experiencing writer’s block, rising music star Layne Price visits a mysterious fortune teller whose flamboyant advice she misconstrues. Heading home to Nashville for New Year’s Eve, a holiday she hates, Layne hits the town with BFF Cassie, who is planning to finally confess that her feelings have evolved into more than friendship. However, Layne is too focused on “bumping into” her elusive ex to notice. But sometimes you find inspiration and love—with a little mystical intervention—where you least expect it. Featuring a high-energy, original soundtrack.
· Season of Love, starring starring Sandra Mae Frank (New Amsterdam, Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist), Jessica Clark (True Blood, Pocket Listing), Dominique Provost-Chalkley (Wynonna Earp, Avengers: Age of Ultron), Emily Goss (Snapshots, Murder at the Murder Mystery Party), Laur Allen (Christmas at the Ranch, Young and the Restless) and Janelle Marie Rodriguez (Kings of LA, Love and Basketball)
The first LGBTQ holiday romcom widely released, the film follows the lives of three very different couples dealing with their love lives in interrelated tales as they celebrate Christmas and New Years.
About Tello Films:
Tello Films produces, acquires and distributes innovative, high-quality films, series and shorts. Founded by CEO Christin Baker in 2009 and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., with offices in Los Angeles, Tello Films was the first network dedicated to telling stories featuring and about lesbian/queer women. Powered by Vimeo OTT, Tello Films network content is available to stream on any device and includes such Emmy-nominated series as Secs and EXECS and Riley Parra and such critically acclaimed films as Season of Love, Christmas at the Ranch and I Hate New Years. Wanna see more? Visit us online at: https://www.tellofilms.com
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2nd Annual Dances With Films – NYC 
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