Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Whitni Resides
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LOGLINE
Holiday, Romantic Comedy Feature
Do They Know It’s Christmas? is a feature film inspired by a true story that explores the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease on a family during the holiday season.
SYNOPSIS
After learning his father's dementia has progressed, Richard Holland leaves behind his fast-paced career and returns to his small hometown for the Christmas season. As he helps care for his father and revisits the memories that shaped him, Richard begins to see that the life he spent years chasing may not be the one he truly wants.
WRITERS’ NOTES
In 2017, my dad was diagnosed with Dementia. Unfortunately for my mom and myself, it was a diagnosis we knew was inevitable. We had seen the signs in my father and knew the family history of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Dementia that had affected so many.
This story came about partly due to real-life events and partly as a way to honor my dad. He loved our family, and he loved Christmas. He looked forward to a good rom-com, and the Christmas movies always made him smile and feel better. Even in times of doubt and darkness, the brief escape to small-town America decorated in lights, with sweet treats and hot cocoa, was a welcome escape. In a true inspirational moment, as my dad lay in hospice in his final hours, I started to write, and the script, Do They Know It’s Christmas?, began to take shape.
– Richard Holland
I began working with Richard on his dad’s beautiful story and immediately connected with the heart behind it. I have also experienced the devastating effects of these diseases within my own family. While we were writing the script, I lost my grandfather to Parkinson’s, making the story even more personal and meaningful to me.
Together, we have partnered with Alzheimer’s Tennessee in the hope of bringing greater awareness to what countless families experience every day. Through this film, we hope to create something that feels honest and heartfelt while still offering the warmth, humor, and escape that Richard’s dad found in Christmas movies. Most importantly, we hope to remind families facing these challenges that they are not alone.
– Whitni Resides
PITCH DECK
Whitni Resides, Writer and Producer.
Whitni Resides is a filmmaker from Chattanooga, TN. Whitni holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She owns Incandescent Pictures, a film production company based in Nashville. Whitni produced the film, Aliens are Coming!! On Monday!!! The film premiered at Dances with Films earlier this year and she received a Producers Guild of America (p.g.a.) mark for her work on the film. As a screenwriter, she has been recommended by The Black List and honored by the Austin Film Festival, HollyShorts, Catalyst Content Festival and a finalist at Nashville Film Festival. She is a proud alumnus of Stowe Story Labs.
Richard Holland, Writer and Producer.
Richard Holland was born in Pensacola Florida and raised in Mobile Alabama. After graduating high school, Richard went to the University of Georgia where he received a degree in Fine Arts. He owns and operates Kickin’ It Coolers. He is a member of the 4th Wall Acting Studio in Nashville and is represented by The Avenue Talent Agency. With the loss of his dad earlier this year, Richard was inspired to begin writing and producing.
Jesse Edwards, Director.
Jesse Edwards is a three-time Emmy award-winning film Director. For over 10 years Jesse directed commercials for brands such as Disney, National Geographic, and BMW.
Since 2020 Jesse has written, directed and produced 3 feature films. Jesse's work has been seen by millions. His films have earned 30+ awards, including Best Director and Best Narrative Feature. Jesse is the founder of 323 Films, a production company dedicated to making movies that matter. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and 4 children.
Dianne Berry, Executive Producer.
Dianne Berry is a CPA and a financial advisor. As a CFP, she owned a financial planning company and was a principal in a consulting firm, an arm of a law firm. Dianne graduated magna cum laude with a BBA from the University of Memphis and holds a MBA from Vanderbilt University. With her true passion in film and over 15 years of industry experience, Dianne has held various producer and acting roles in films winning Best Actress in “Lemons” in the South Film and Arts Academy Festival.
Alex Levine, Executive Producer.
Alex Levine is a producer and line producer with over 15 years of experience across film, television, Broadway, and branded entertainment. His recent producing credits include the CBC series The Legacy Lounge, the feature documentary Trillion Boys, and the Roku original Famously You. Known for combining cinematic storytelling with strong production leadership, Levine has built a reputation for guiding complex scripted, unscripted, and documentary projects from development through delivery with a hands-on, budget-conscious approach that balances creative ambition with logistical precision.
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