Country Mile starts filming Christmas in Clearwater in Florida

By AI, Created 12:55 PM UTC, May 23, 2026, /AGP/ – Country Mile Entertainment has begun principal photography on Christmas in Clearwater, a holiday romance shooting in Clearwater, Florida, and centered on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The film stars Katrina Norman and Ignacyo Matynia, is directed by Lindsay Hartley, and is targeting a Christmas 2026 release.

Why it matters: - Christmas in Clearwater puts the Clearwater Marine Aquarium at the center of a feature film, giving the nonprofit a national entertainment showcase tied to its rescue and rehabilitation mission. - The project also marks Country Mile Entertainment’s first holiday title in a growing slate of country-music-inspired film and television projects. - The film’s Christmas 2026 target gives Country Mile a seasonal release window that can help position the project for holiday audience demand.

What happened: - Country Mile Entertainment has commenced principal photography on Christmas in Clearwater in Clearwater, Florida. - The film stars Katrina Norman and Ignacyo Matynia. - Lindsay Hartley directs. - The movie is targeting a Christmas 2026 release. - The Clearwater Marine Aquarium serves as both a primary setting and a central story element.

The details: - The story follows an ambitious, career-driven woman who returns to her hometown during the holiday season to close a business deal. - The character reconnects with a former love and rediscovers purpose through family, community and the mission of the local marine aquarium. - The plot forces her to choose between professional ambition and protecting the place and people that shaped her. - Laura Kampo Lennon and F.J. Lennon wrote the screenplay. - Josh Maas serves as director of photography. - John Harris and Marc Marcum produce for Country Mile Entertainment. - Eric Michael Kochmer, Nate Lipp and Gi Gonzales produce for Cinesthesia Factory. - Ben Rizzo and Jason Cherubini executive produce. - The project includes original music and a country-influenced soundtrack. - Country Mile says the film fits its focus on storytelling rooted in country-music traditions.

Between the lines: - The Clearwater Marine Aquarium connection gives the film a built-in emotional and civic angle beyond a standard holiday romance. - Lindsay Hartley’s comments point to a production shaped around second-chance romance, community and family rather than just seasonal genre beats. - Joe Handy said the partnership can help bring the aquarium’s rescue and rehabilitation mission to audiences while showcasing Clearwater to a national audience. - John Harris framed the production as a personal project tied to the aquarium’s rescue, rehab and release mission and the local community’s support.

What’s next: - Filming will continue on location in Clearwater. - Country Mile Entertainment will move the project through postproduction ahead of the planned Christmas 2026 release. - More details on the film’s distribution and launch strategy are likely to follow as the release date approaches.

The bottom line: - Christmas in Clearwater is a holiday romance with a civic centerpiece: a real aquarium, a real Florida setting and a release plan aimed at the 2026 Christmas season. - More information