Tello Films Network, the longest running LGBTQ+ streaming platform with the biggest library of sapphic holiday films available, has a new present for movie fans this season. Tello’s latest queer holiday romance, The Christmas Writer, is currently hitting theaters for a limited release and will be available on VOD starting November 18. The latest film follows a tradition started by Tello in 2019 with its first holiday-focused film, Season of Love, and followed by films like I Hate New Years, A Holiday I Do, and Christmas at the Ranch. The film is directed by Tello Films founder & CEO Christin Baker and written by Baker and Katie I. Williams.
In The Christmas Writer, holiday lesbian romance author Noel (Shelby Allison Brown) returns to her hometown of Pinewood, shortly after the death of her mother, to reluctantly promote her latest holiday release. When she returns to her big city life, she finds herself on the other end of a breakup and a serious case of writer’s block. 10 months later, at the persistent urging of her agent Jillian (Stacey Lee Powell), Noel heads back to Pinewood to try and capture the Christmas spirit. Along the way she’s encouraged by her best friend Erin (Kendahl Landreth), beloved Grandmother Robbins (Karen M. Chan) and the new owner of the town’s bookstore, single lesbian mom Callie (Callie Bussell).
Noel and Callie click right away, but both have to work through their own issues to find a way forward.
The Christmas Writer delivers small-town holiday charms, plenty of cheer, strong chemistry between the leads and a happily-ever-after. While mainstream channels such as Hallmark and Lifetime have moved slowly on LGBTQ+ storylines, Tello has built a brand that centers them.
Leads Brown and Bussell have a great slow-burn chemistry, giving us multidimensional characters and a romance we can root for. Landreth as the town’s lesbian lothario and bestie to Noel is a stand out, bringing much of the charm she’s known for as a comedian, content creator, and co-host of the Happy Wife Happy Life podcast. Landreth’s real life partner Jordan Myrick also has a role in the film as agent Jillian’s over-eager assistant, Paulette.
This reporter has seen all of Tello’s holiday films. The Christmas Writer ranks near the top for its cast, chemistry and well-placed holiday spirit.
Beginning on Nov. 18, you can rent The Christmas Writer for $6.99 (14 days) or purchase the film for $14.99. Tello is currently offering a special 30 day deal for $14.99 that includes access to its other seven holiday films and dozens of other titles.