Holiday Hearts is set to begin filming in New Mexico this May.

      The newest Jen Lilley Christmas romance, Holiday Hearts, is set to begin filming in Southern New Mexico in May. Joining Lilley in the cast are Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Kathleen Quinlan (Apollo 13) and Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard).

      This film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Ross Kagan Marks (Santa’s Cousin, Walking With Herb, The Twilight Of The Golds, Homage) and written by Bill True (The Runaway). It is characterized as "an elevated holiday romance" based on Dana Volney’s novella, A Heart for the Holidays, part of the author’s collection of heartfelt Christmas romance stories.

      “This powerful and layered script is one of the most moving stories I’ve ever encountered,” comments Lilley. “Witnessing it come to life with such an incredibly talented cast, whose skills and achievements will elevate this project to where it belongs, is truly thrilling.”

      The narrative centers around Silver Morgenstern (Lilley), a sharp yet emotionally scarred heart surgeon who returns to her hometown to manage the local hospital. She encounters a selfless individual with a terminal illness who teaches her the genuine meaning of love, healing, and the holiday spirit.

      Quinlan portrays Silver’s mother, Barbara, while Hurd plays Dr. Jocelynn Isaacs, a seasoned surgeon with whom Silver has conflicts.

      Filming is slated to start on May 19 in Las Cruces, which was recently recognized as one of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker.

      “Directing Holiday Hearts in my hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is incredibly special for me,” states Marks. “Collaborating with Jen Lilley, Michelle Hurd, and Kathleen Quinlan to bring Bill True’s heartfelt script to life in a place that holds great significance for me and my family makes the experience even more meaningful.”

      The independent feature is represented by Artist View Entertainment for all sales. Besides capitalizing on rebates for productions in New Mexico, part of the film’s funding was raised through Raise the Reel, a social media-driven contest created by Lilley that offers participants the chance to win special perks, including featured background roles.

      “Raise the Reel has generated amazing awareness and excitement for the film,” Lilley remarks. “By connecting fans directly with the filmmaking process, we’ve cultivated a community of supporters who are just as passionate about this story and project as we are.”

      The feature is produced in collaboration with Emmy-winning and New Mexico-based Inspirado, which also produced the recently released holiday rom-com Santa’s Cousin, also directed by Marks and starring Alexandra Harris, Jonathan Stoddard, and Eric Roberts. Holiday Hearts is produced by Jen Lilley, Ross Marks, Bill True, Keagan Karnes (Little Brother), and Jessica Yingling (Love Under the Olive Tree).