Country Mile Entertainment Commences Principal Images on “Christmas in Clearwater”

(CLEARWATER, FL – May 20, 2026) –  Country Mile Entertainment has commenced principal pictures on Christmas in Clearwater, a coastal Christmas romance starring Katrina Norman (Christmas in Homestead) and Ignacyo Matynia (My Nightmare Landlord), directed by Lindsay Hartley (The Recipe Files). Shooting on location in Florida’s Gulf Coast, the movie options the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as each a main setting and a central component of the story. Christmas in Clearwater is concentrating on a Christmas 2026 launch.

Christmas in Clearwater follows an bold, career-driven lady (Norman) who returns to her hometown throughout the vacation season to shut a enterprise deal, solely to reconnect along with her former love (Matynia) and rediscover a way of goal by household, neighborhood, and the mission of the native marine aquarium. As the stakes rise, she is compelled to decide on between skilled ambition and defending the place, and the folks, who formed her.

The screenplay is by Laura Kampo Lennon (Miracle in Bethlehem, PA) and F.J. Lennon (Soul Trapper). Lindsay Hartley (The Recipe Files) directs, with Josh Maas (A Christmas Movie Christmas) serving as director of pictures. John Harris (Dead Man’s Wire) and Marc Marcum (Christmas Karma) produce for Country Mile Entertainment, alongside Eric Michael Kochmer (The Death of Snow White) and Nate Lipp (Red Camellia) producing for Cinesthesia Factory. Ben Rizzo (Christmas in Paradise) of Country Mile Entertainment and Jason Cherubini (Money Plane) govt produce.

“Christmas in Clearwater brings together so much of what I love as a filmmaker. A second-chance romance, family, community, and the kind of work that reminds you why we tell stories like this,” mentioned Hartley. “The Clearwater Marine Aquarium changed something in me from the moment I walked through the doors, and the community welcomed us in like family.”

The mission options authentic music and a country-influenced soundtrack, in step with Country Mile Entertainment’s deal with storytelling rooted within the traditions of nation music. It is the primary vacation title from the corporate’s growing slate of country-music-inspired movie and tv initiatives.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Christmas in Clearwater and help bring the story and mission of Clearwater Marine Aquarium to audiences in such a heartfelt way,” mentioned Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “This film beautifully reflects the values that drive our rescue and rehabilitation efforts every day — compassion, community, and the connection between people and marine life — while also showcasing the beauty of Clearwater to a national audience.”

“Christmas in Clearwater is personal for everyone involved,” mentioned Harris. “The aquarium’s mission — rescue, rehab, release — gave us a story with real heart, and the Clearwater community welcomed this production like family. This is exactly the kind of storytelling we built Country Mile to do.”

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Media Contact:  Ben Rizzo | Country Mile Entertainment | brizzo@countrymileentertainment.com | (727) 804-8307

Media Contact:  Marsha Strickhouser | Clearwater Marine Aquarium | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770

About Country Mile Entertainment

Country Mile Entertainment develops and produces way of life leisure impressed by the storytelling traditions of nation music. The firm bridges the soul of nation music with the ability of movie and tv, bringing the tales behind the songs to life on display screen alongside the followers who love them. The firm’s growing slate spans characteristic movies, collection, and short-form storytelling for followers of nation music and the approach to life it represents. Christmas in Clearwater is among the many firm’s early releases. The firm is headquartered in Nashville with operations in Los Angeles. More at countrymileentertainment.com.

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue middle devoted to inspiring the human spirit by management in training, analysis, rescue, rehabilitation and launch. With a mission to protect the setting and its marine life, CMA is residence to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, and extra. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts necessary world analysis centered on defending manatees, North Atlantic proper whales and sea turtles. Major movement image Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) options the true tales of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring thousands and thousands around the globe. The mission and potential to vary folks’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from another aquarium on this planet. CMAquarium.org.

© 2026 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org

We imagine in preserving the environment whereas inspiring the human spirit by management within the rescue, rehabilitation, and launch of marine life; environmental training; analysis; and conservation.

A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) group