Life is a Hallmark (Christmas) Movie

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Hallmark Christmas movies are often dismissed for their 'simplistic' predictability. However, if we look closely, they function almost like modern fairy tales or seasonal Shakespearean myths - uncovering meaning through familiar patterns: a festive setting, a protagonist experiencing some form of disconnection, a catalyst that reawakens something within, and a resolution that feels warm and whole.

And while on the surface these films might seem to be about returning to a small snowy town or rekindling a lost romance, beneath the cosy Christmas facade they speak to something much deeper: a return to self and source.

Having found profound comfort and inspiration in the formula - Darragh Amelia (filmmaker, curator, and certified cinematherapist) is hosting this masterclass to provide a container of sorts for anyone seeking some of the same (or anyone simply interested in diving deeper into the world of these beloved holiday films).

The masterclass will begin at 14:00 with a lecture, talk, and interactive exercises inviting participants to find themselves in/through the formula and creatively collaborate on Hallmark-inspired stories of their own. 

Following the workshop, there will be a screening of the soon-to-be released Hallmark Christmas film We Met in December (2025) with a pre-recorded intro by it's star, Autumn Reeser, a prolific storyteller of the Hallmark universe (also known for roles on shows like The O.C. and Entourage). 

There will then be a post-film discussion with Darragh Amelia.

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Presented by Guilt-Free Pleasures and curator Darragh Amelia.

Showing as part of our season Too Much: Melodrama on Film - supported by the BFI and Film Hub North.