Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: CHRISTMAS IN NEW HOPE [Waco Independent Film Festival 2025 - Waco, Texas]
Making homegrown films with a sense of purpose and lightness is something missing in many ways from the filmmaker culture, save for some of the Hallmark films and a few of the Lifetime movies. These films have a specific place in our eco-culture and are usually very cost efficient. The Waco Indie Film Festival began in 2025 edition with "Christmas In New Hope" which was filmed in Waco. The film stars Katrina Bowen as a single mother influencer raising a little girl with Down's Syndrome on her own. The film doesn't call out the disability but doesn't ignore it either. In fact the best lines and timing come from Mia Analise Armstrong as Charlie because it connects the importance of listening and creativity. The romance between Bowen and Ryan Cooper (who plays her next door neighbor Gavin) of course plays saccharine with a bit of music thrown in but that is the genre for sure. Writer/Director Julia Barnett (along with Farah White) actually brings some of the more grown up humor especially involving Jill's husband Aaron (Victor Hawks) who is also a producer on the film.
These bits lift a lot of the influencer talk about its pedigree (likely because being an independent film compared to corporate, there are less notes and hand holding). The film does play very family friendly as well with a faith based angle which will give it more consistency in its viewing. The aspect of shooting in Waco was of course talked about extensively in the Q&A but beyond its reference to Texas, it could take place anywhere. That said, with the incentives it does show that films made here in Waco do get out into the world as the film is available on Prime, Apple TV and Tubi currently. "Christmas In New Hope" does speak about second chances but also the importance of community. It also does balance the perspective that people do deserve a second chance, even if it is not their best face put forward. B
By Tim Wassberg
