Cozy on their couches or snuggled in their beds, movie audiences around the world are welcoming Branson into their homes this holiday season with the release of Great American Media’s “An Ozark Mountain Christmas.”
Filmed and set in Branson and Silver Dollar City, “An Ozark Mountain Christmas” premiered earlier this month as a part of the Great American Christmas 2026 line-up, but local audiences had the chance to see it on the big screen on Friday, Nov. 6, during a special movie premiere at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre.
The Petersen’s provided some pre-show entertainment at the premiere as attendees found their seats and awaited the start of the movie. Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB President and CEO Pam Yancey addressed the packed theatre as she welcomed everyone to the showing.
“It was actually a year ago yesterday, my husband and I took off to Franklin, TN to watch a Great American Media Christmas movie premiere,” Yancey said. “I got to visit a lot with Mr. Bill Abbott, who is the president of Great American Media. He had come earlier to Branson on a visit and fell in love. After that, he called me and he said, ‘Pam, we can’t wait. We want to start filming a Christmas movie in January.’ And that was January of this year!”
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Heather Hermen shared with the audience how a single LinkedIn message led to the Christmas movie being filmed at Silver Dollar City.
“I had been hearing since I started the job two years ago, that if we just had a movie filmed in Branson, it would change everything. So, I reached out to someone on LinkedIn from Great American Media, and I said, ‘We want to movie in Branson. What would it take? We’d also like to do some advertising on your network.’ Less than a week later, we had a team’s call, and it started from there,” Hermen said. “Just by a show of hands, how many of you signed up to be extras in this movie? Look around. Almost 200 local community members signed up for that opportunity. Thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Hermen then welcomed Great American Media Vice President of Ministry & Community Engagement Jennifer Nickerson to introduce the movie. Nickerson thanked all the Branson and Silver Dollar City leadership and community members who made the filming of this Christmas movie possible and spoke on the impact of Branson set storytelling.
“Branson, as you all know, is a remarkable place. It’s rich in history, natural beauty, and traditions that reflect the values at the heart of Great American Media. So, we share that. We are kindred spirits. Our partnership allows us to bring meaningful stories to life here, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year; including ‘Summer at Indian Point,” premiering in 2027,” Nickerson said. “When millions of viewers discover Branson through our films, we’re doing more than telling a compelling story. We’re showcasing a destination, inspiring future travel, and creating opportunities for visitors to stay in local hotels, dining and restaurants, shopping in stores, and experience everything Branson has to offer including, my favorite, Branson hospitality and family. That is the power of this profession. Turning into storytelling into tourism, tourism into economic opportunity, and viewers into visitors. It’s what happens when like-minded partners share a vision that goes beyond just the screen. So together, we’re not simply making movies. We’re building lasting connections between audiences and communities, creating value long after the camera stops rolling.”
Great American Media has long-term plans to produce Branson based movies as a commitment has been made to film several more movies over the course of the next few years in the Branson area.
In “An Ozark Mountain Christmas” Clara, a driven young designer played by Brianna Cohen, reaches a professional crossroads and returns home to the Ozarks for Christmas at her sister’s urging. Back among the traditions that shaped her family, she reconnects with a legacy of craftsmanship, rediscovers a quieter faith, and begins to reconsider the priorities that have been guiding her life. With help from Paul, played by Jonathan Stoddard, she finds renewed purpose through work grounded in care, community, and tradition.
Directed by Vincenzo Conrorio, the movie also features the talents of Juila Reilly as Meg, Joey Heyworth as Oliver, Shelley Waggener as Deborah Walker, Thomas Smith as Steven Walker, Larry Parrish as Paul, Harold Briscoe as Vincent and a variety of appearances and cameos from Silver Dollar City entertainers and area residents. Conrorio also co-wrote the film with scribe Joslyn Jensen.
Audiences have a few different viewing options to enjoy “An Ozark Mountain Christmas” including Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+. The film is listed on the Pure Flix Top 10 Trending list as No.3, as of press time.
For more information on Great American Media, visit gacmedia.com.
(Photo by Tim Church)
(Photo by Tim Church)
