Hallmark-Style Christmas Movie Brings Holiday Magic to Minerva Ohio Towns

A quiet corner of Ohio is getting the full holiday movie treatment. If you’ve ever wondered how a cozy Christmas romance comes to life, this story’s got all the feel-good details.

A new Hallmark-style film, A Christmas Drawn Together, is transforming Minerva, Carrollton, and the Magnolia area into a snow-dusted postcard. There’s small-town charm, local pride, and some seasoned Hollywood talent in the mix.

From packed extras calls to storytelling rooted in hometown love, this production is shaping up to be a festive crowd-pleaser. They’ve got big streaming ambitions, too.

When a Small Ohio Town Becomes a Christmas Movie Set

There’s something almost magical about seeing a familiar main street suddenly glow with twinkle lights and fake snow. Camera rigs have been rolling across Stark and Carroll counties, moving from one spot to the next.

Filmmakers are capturing the essence of a classic Christmas romance. The production’s not hiding the region—it’s embracing it, leaning into the authentic look of Minerva, Carrollton, and Magnolia.

Local cafes, theaters, and storefronts aren’t just background—they’re woven right into the film’s visual story. Instead of building sets, the crew picked working businesses and community landmarks.

That choice brings a kind of warmth and texture you just can’t fake. Here’s where they filmed:

• Minerva locations: Roxy Theatre, Sandy Springs Brewing Co., Dunlap Photography, The Clever Cookie & Creamery, Lions Den Sports Shop, Walker’s Cafe.
• Carrollton scenes: Carroll County Courthouse, Carroll County Coffee Co.
• Magnolia area: Heartland on Heritage wedding venue.

The result? A world that feels lived-in and tailor-made for a Christmas story.

The Story at the Heart of A Christmas Drawn Together

Every good holiday movie needs an emotional hook. This one leans into nostalgia, family legacy, and rediscovering what matters most.

The plot follows attorney Molly Hanover, a driven professional whose life has pulled her far from her roots. Her past, though, doesn’t stay quiet—especially when it’s wrapped in cartoon penguins and Christmas memories.

A Cartoon, a Legacy, and a Threat to Christmas

Molly grew up in the shadow of her father Fred Hanover’s beloved cartoon character, Coley, The Penguin That Saved Christmas. When a legal dispute threatens that legacy, Molly heads home to set things right.

Of course, in true holiday fashion, romance finds her along the way. The story hits those familiar Christmas movie notes, but it’s grounded in real emotion and a respect for art, kindness, and community.

A Script Born From Hometown Love

This isn’t a story dreamed up in some far-off Hollywood office. The screenplay comes from Carroll County native Duane Abel, a nationally syndicated cartoonist who wanted to celebrate the place that shaped him.

That personal connection shows in every detail, from the way the towns are portrayed to the care with fictional elements. To make Coley the Penguin feel real, the team went all in.

Making Coley the Penguin Feel Real

They crafted props—books, greeting cards, T-shirts, plush toys—just for the film. The hope? Audiences would believe this cartoon character had been around for generations.

That attention to detail drew in cast and crew who immediately believed in the project.

A Cast That Blends Experience and Fresh Faces

Holiday movies thrive on chemistry, and A Christmas Drawn Together brings together actors from different generations. Leading the cast is veteran actor Alex Hyde-White, whose career stretches back to the 1970s.

He’s done television, film, and even some major franchises. Hyde-White plays a character at the emotional heart of the story.

Alex Hyde-White and the Value of Experience

He’s shown up in everything from Battlestar Galactica to General Hospital, and even Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This time, he’s not chasing the spotlight—he’s deepening the film’s emotional stakes and supporting the ensemble.

Honestly, that fits the story’s themes of maturity and perspective. It’s a good match.

The Next Generation of Holiday Stars

Angela Cole and Sam Myerson join him, both with strong resumes in thrillers, dramas, and recent holiday projects.

• Angela Cole: A Roommate to Die For, Love in the Limelight.
• Sam Myerson: NCIS: Origins, A Carpenter Christmas Romance.

Together, the cast brings the romantic spark audiences expect, but it feels sincere—not forced.

How a Community Became Part of the Production

One of the most striking things about this film is how involved the local community is. Over 300 people responded to the call for extras, and about 150 actually made it on screen.

The town itself becomes a living backdrop, with everyone from city officials to small business owners getting involved. Scenes feature Minerva city officials, including the mayor and council members.

Their presence adds authenticity and a real sense of hometown celebration. Local businesses saw a boost, too, with cast and crew frequenting shops and restaurants during filming.

For many owners, seeing their spaces transformed into Christmas settings was both surreal and pretty exciting.

Snow, Serendipity and Perfect Timing

Every Christmas movie hopes for snow, and this production got lucky. Natural snowfall around New Year’s Eve brought exactly the look the writer had imagined.

Rolling hills dusted in white and picturesque streets made the exterior shots pop. It saved the production from having to rely too much on fake snow.

Why the Setting Matters So Much

The snow did more than just decorate the scenery. It reinforced the film’s message about slowing down and appreciating simple beauty.

In this genre, atmosphere is everything, and the Ohio winter really delivered.

From Small-Town Set to Streaming Screens

Once filming wraps, there’s still plenty to do. The filmmakers plan to pitch A Christmas Drawn Together to major platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Hallmark Channel.

They’re also planning festival submissions and a marketing push, all building toward a hopeful 2026 holiday season release.

A Hometown Premiere Dream

There’s talk of a special screening at the historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Minerva. For a film this tied to local roots, that’d be a pretty poetic way to let it debut.

This movie knows what it wants to be. It leans into Christmas traditions, tips its hat to old holiday favorites, and nudges you to believe—just for a bit—in kindness, art, and the magic of coming home.