Christmas Movie Filmed In Tulsa Has Preview At Circle Cinema

A Hollywood film shot entirely in Tulsa previewed in the Sooner State on Sunday.

"So This Is Christmas" is one of several big movies shot in the state and a lot of those on- and off-screen are from Oklahoma.

Oklahomans are excited to see their own on the big screen.

"I think they should have the spotlights going on out front and everything," Tulsan Michael Lowry said.

The producers chose to preview the film in Tulsa, where it was shot.

"Ticket sales have been really good, we're really glad to see people coming out to support the film and it's just wonderful to see it on the big screen," director Richard Foster said.

The movie is about teenagers in a mixed-race family who struggle with making the right choices as they grow up.

Through the help of a stranger, they discover the real meaning of Christmas and the power of a choice.

"It's always been in our heart to bring stories about real people in real situations and show that it's the choices that people make, rather than what happens to them that determines whether they're going to be successful," Foster said.

Foster chose to film in Tulsa because of the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate, which reimburses 35 percent of the film's costs spent within the state.

The stars are from Hollywood – including Eric Roberts and Vivica A. Fox -- but many of the supporting roles and nearly all of the crew are from Oklahoma.

You'll recognize scenes from Cain's Ballroom, Utica Square, Will Rogers High School and the Riverparks.

Foster hopes people walk away with a sense of hope.

"Christmas is a story of hope," Foster said. "It's the story of the birth of Jesus and bringing hope and peace to the world and salvation to the world, but it's also a story about choices. No matter what we've done wrong in life, no matter how bad we've screwed up or made mistakes, you can still make a choice to make a change and improve your life from that point forward."

Circle Cinema will be previewing "So This is Christmas" through Dec. 8.

The general release of the film will be the fall of 2013.

The producers are donating all of the proceeds from this week to the Circle Cinema Restoration Fund.

Click here for showtimes on the Circle Cinema website