Actress Jen Lilley has appeared in a whopping 18 Christmas movies, including two new ones this year: Operation Mistletoe, co-starring Nick Bateman, on Hulu, and A Little Women’s Christmas—a modern take on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel filmed in Franklin, Tennessee—on Great American Family. And for her next act, she’s changing the way movies, Christmas and otherwise, are made with the launch of her crowdfunded production company Raise the Reel.
“I wanted to give fans the opportunity to not just watch their favorite films but be part of them,” she tells Country Living of Raise the Reel. “You can snag a walk-on role, visit the set, or even see your name in the credits. Plus, it’s amazing for filmmakers too—they can get the financing they need to bring their films to life without going into debt or giving away equity. Plus, every film we produce also donates 10% to charity, so it’s entertainment that makes a difference.”
First up for the new production company: Holiday Hearts, filming this spring, which is based on Dana Volney’s novella A Heart for the Holidays. Adapted for the screen by writer Bill True, the script moved Jen to tears when she first read it, before she even knew True had written it with her in mind for the lead.