DBEDT: ‘Delivering Christmas’ to Debut on Lifetime Channel

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) congratulates Creative Lab Hawaiʻi (CLH) Writer’s Immersive Program Fellow Amy Bircher on her work-for-hire screenplay, Delivering Christmas, which is set to debut as a TV “mini movie” on Lifetime on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017.

Another major production company has also optioned her “Victorian Christmas” script, furthering momentum for her writing trajectory in Hollywood.

“I am deeply grateful to the State of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT/Creative Industries Division’s Creative Lab Hawaiʻi program and the fellows in the 2017 Writers Immersive for providing support and empowering creativity. I treasure the advice, knowledge and relationships gained,” said Bircher. “My participation in the program led to the opportunity to write, Delivering Christmas, for Hybrid LLC—a truly special experience as they have produced many of my favorite movies, including one which inspired me to become a screenwriter.”

“It is exciting to see what talented individuals like Amy can achieve through their experience with Creative Lab Hawaiʻi’s Immersive Programs,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “These projects are reaching a worldwide platform and audience, reinforcing Hawaiʻi’s position as a hub for developing compelling content for the entertainment industry.”

Raised on Hue Hue Ranch on the Big Island, Bircher’s passion for reading evolved into a love for writing. After college, she worked as a business relationship manager and private banking officer before starting Kona Lavender Farm.

Bircher applied for a spot in CLH’s 2017 Writers Immersive Program, which offers writers a track to develop new content for motion pictures and television, while learning how to navigate the business. Opening connections to the creative industries, CLH fosters opportunities for Program Fellows to help bring their projects to market.

“We are thrilled to offer creative entrepreneurs—writers, producers, musicians and more—a chance to have their voices contribute to the industry, and to come equipped with the right tools to monetize their work,” said Georja Skinner, chief officer of DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH.

Further showcasing the various Immersives CLH offers across the creative industries, CLH will be holding a meet-and-greet in Hilo on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Na Leo TV studios.

Bircher will share some of her experiences at the event with future participants as an example of the program’s many success stories.

“Our Fellows are continuing to impress and make waves throughout the industry, said Michael Palmieri, executive director, CLH. “With ‘Delivering Christmas soon to air, and three other projects already optioned from our current Writers Immersive cohort alone, we couldn’t be more proud of the quality of work that is being produced.”

“A year ago, this was only a dream and Creative Lab Hawai‘i helped make it real,” added Bircher. “I encourage anyone who aspires to work in a creative industry to apply to this amazing program.”

The World Premiere of Delivering Christmas will air at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime on Dec. 3, 2017, starring Jessica Morris and Jason-Shane Scott.

The synopsis: A handsome but lonely mailman, Tom, has a crush on Lauren, a single mom on his route who has never noticed him. Yet Lauren has little time for romance or Christmas cheer this holiday season after the recent passing of her mother. Unsure of how to revive her mother’s spirits, Sofia—Lauren’s young daughter—seeks the advice of their mailman, who helps by delivering meaningful and nostalgic gifts to Lauren that remedy her melancholy. Ultimately, he succeeds in both granting the little girl’s wish in making her mother happy, and his own wish of spending Christmas Eve dinner with both of them.