Ausgezeichnet mit dem Publikumspreis als Bester Film Seoul LGBT Film Festival FILMOUT San Diego Bester Spielfilm, Beste Nebendarstellerin, Bester Nebendarsteller Eine Überraschung zum Fest (OT: Make the Yuletide Gay) “Certain to be a gay Christmas favourite.” On Top Magazine "Will be an instant classic." Dougsploitation.blogspot.com "A potential homo holiday classic." Fab Magazine USA 2009, 89 Minuten Regie und Drehbuch: Rob Williams Produzenten: Rodney Johnson, Matthew Montgomery, Rob Williams Kamera: Ian McGlocklin Sinclair, Schnitt: Denise Howard, Musik: Austin Wintory Darsteller: Keith Jordan (Olaf 'Gunn' Gunnunderson), Adamo Ruggiero (Nathan Stanford), Hallee Hirsh (Abby Mancuso), Kelly Keaton (Anya Gunnunderson), Derek Long (Sven Gunnunderson), Alison Arngrim (Heather Mancuso), Ian Buchanan (Peter Stanford), Gates McFadden (Martha Stanford) Ein Film im Verleih der PRO-FUN MEDIA FILMVERLEIH Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland 2009 www.PRO-FUN.de Eine Überraschung zum Fest Kurzsynopsis Der Schock für Nathan (Adamo Ruggiero, offen schwuler Star der US-Serie DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION) könnte nicht größer sein, als er unangekündigt vor der festlich geschmückten Wohnungstür seiner besseren Hälfte Olaf 'Gunn' Gunnunderson (out- and-proud Collegeschwarm Keith Jordan) im spießigen Wisconsins aufschlägt. Nicht genug, dass er dessen Dad wie Gott ihn schuf im offenem Bademantel die Tür öffnen sieht - und so auch gleich die frappierende, anatomische Ähnlichkeit zwischen Vater und Sohn erkennen darf -, sondern darüber hinaus auch feststellen muss, dass Gunn urplötzlich zum hundertprozentigen Hetero mutiert ist!?! Es beginnt das wohl verrückteste Coming-out-Fest seit Robert Downey Jrs FAMILIENFEST UND ANDERE SCHWIERIGKEITEN. Ein wahres Feuerwerk aus Festtagsstimmung, Eierflips und köstlichen Enthüllungen. Synopsis Olaf ’Gunn’ Gunnunderson könnte nicht glücklicher mit Nathan sein, stünden die Feiertage nicht vor der Tür. Während Gunn sich noch einigermaßen auf die getrennten Tage bei seinen durchgeknallten Eltern freuen kann, muss Schnuckel Nathan mal wieder erfahren, was es heißt, von der Familie „vergessen“ zu werden. Kurzerhand beschließt der Zurückgelassene, seine Urlaubstage bei den Gunnundersons zu verbringen und unangekündigt spießige Wisconsins-Luft zu schnuppern. Der Schock für Nathan könnte allerdings nicht größer sein, als Gunns Dad wie Gott ihn schuf und im offenem Bademantel im Türrahmen steht (immerhin sind nun auch die anatomischen Ähnlichkeiten zwischen Vater und Sohn geklärt...) und Gunn urplötzlich als hundertprozentiger Hetero auftritt! Es beginnt das wohl verrückteste Coming-out-Fest seit Robert Downey Jrs FAMILIENFEST UND ANDERE SCHWIERIGKEITEN. Ein wahres Feuerwerk aus Festtagsstimmung, Eierflips und köstlichen Enthüllungen. 2 Guest House Films present a film by Rob Williams Eine Überraschung zum Fest Keith Jordan Adamo Ruggiero Hallee Hirsh, Kelly Keaton, Derek Long Alison Arngrim, Ian Buchanan Gates McFadden Steve Callahan, Wyatt Fenner, Massimo Quagliano, Kevin F. Sherry Jim Wharton, Doug Prinzivalli, Austin Wintory Written and Directed by Rob Williams Produced by Rodney Johnson Matthew Montgomery Rob Williams Casting by Judy Cook Director of Photography Ian McGlocklin Sinclair Editor Denise Howard Original Score by Austin Wintory Original Songs by Jake Monaco and Jen Hansen 1st Assistant Director Mike Drobinski 2nd Assistant Director Erald Sejdini 1st Assistant Camera Jaxon Woods Van Nessa Manlunas Alex Cason 2nd Assistant Camera Paul D. Hart 3 Eine Überraschung zum Fest Gaffers Josh Day Jeff Fry Ken Wales Key Grip Rob Berrey Swing/Grip & Electric Owen Jones Swing/Driver Brian Eastveld Steadicam Operators Nicholas Davidoff Dave Isern Behind-The-Scenes Video Producer Anthony Palato Sound Mixer Ryan Kaiser Sound Designer Billy Picciano Script Supervisor Aprill Winney Key Makeup Ricky Flores Makeup Assistant Jae Lee Hairstylist Julie Mueller Set Decorator JT Tepnapa Production Assistants Anthony Palato Mike Justice Craig Darr Art Department Production Assistants Meagen Johnson Amanda Magdaleno-Arbizu Art Department/Prop/Product Placement Coordinator Scott Simmons 4 Eine Überraschung zum Fest Craft Services Production Assistant Jason Layvas Production Office Interns Andrew Bluestone Alan Wethern Catering 360 By Gavin Glenn Craft Services Kit & Kaboodle Craft Services Graphic Design Brian Winkeler, Robot House Creative Publicity GrapeVine Public Relations Insurance Premier Class Insurance Services "Hope" Painting Courtesy of Catherine Krueger Payroll Services Wells Fargo Business Payroll 5 Cast Eine Überraschung zum Fest KEITH JORDAN began his career in New York City where he received his BFA in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College. Upon graduation, he performed skits on “Late Night With Conan O'Brien,” booked roles in various independent films in NYC and secured various television and radio spots. Soon after, he landed a role in the film Suburban Girl, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alec Baldwin. Now a full-time resident of Los Angeles, Jordan continues to focus his acting career in film and television. Since relocating to Los Angeles, he has enjoyed growing success in the industry, including securing the role of Superman's Jimmy Olsen in a viral Internet marketing campaign for the Six Flags theme parks, as well as the lead role in the new feature film, Make The Yuletide Gay. ADAMO RUGGIERO is an experienced actor and host. He began his career in Community Theatre at a very young age. In 1996, he landed his first professional job as Cupid in Stage West’s Christmas production of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." In 2000, he was accepted to Cawthra Park Secondary School (a performing arts school in Mississauga) where Adamo played leading roles in "Godspell," "Carnival," "Auntie Mame" and "The Bath" as well as directed "Sure Thing" by playwright David Ives for the Ontario’s SEARS Drama festival. In 2002, Adamo landed his first professional television job, premiering in the second season of "Degrassi: The Next Generation" as Marco Del Rossi. Throughout his seven years on the show, his role as a gay teenager has garnered much attention. In 2004, Degrassi received its first GLAAD Media Awards nomination for Outstanding Drama Series for Adamo’s starring episodes entitled Pride (part 1 & 2). In January 2008, Adamo “came out” as a young gay actor in an exclusive TV interview with eTalk and a cover story in Fab, Canada’s premiere gay scene magazine. In an attempt to share his story with other struggling gay youth, he has lent his name to The Trevor Project (an organization that helps suicidal gay and questioning youth) where he shot an international PSA alongside Roseanne Barr, T.R. Knight, Kristin Davis, John Goodman and Neil Patrick Harris. He also produced and starred in a PSA for the Report Homophobic Violence, Period (RHVP) campaign for Toronto’s 2008 Pride Festival. In April 2008, Degrassi was nominated for its second GLAAD Media Award where Adamo was invited to present at the legendary Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, alongside such stars as Ellen DeGeneres, Rufus Wainwright, Sharon Stone and Tom Ford. 6 Eine Überraschung zum Fest Adamo recently starred in his first feature in Los Angeles entitled Make the Yuletide Gay -- a gay themed, coming of age Christmas story where he plays the film's supporting character of Nathan Stanford. Adamo’s next project takes him to the live stage! In March 2009, he will star in the Toronto premiere of "Dog Sees God: Confession of a Teenage Blockhead" --- a modern adaptation of the iconic Peanuts comic strips. Adamo plays Van (Linus), the pot head, girl-obsessed yet insightful best friend of C.B. (Charlie Brown). Adamo is also an experienced television host, having hosted/co-hosted such shows as the "MTV Hills After Show," "Video on Trail," "Canada’s Next Top Model," the 22nd and 23rd annual Gemini Awards as well as hosted multiple stories on CTV’s hit entertainment show eTalk. Adamo most recently hosted the first season of YTV’s hit series "The Next Star" where he led the national search for Canada’s next young singing sensation. In between projects, Adamo is pursuing an honors double major degree at York University in Communication Studies and Film Theory. He hopes to venture into producing/directing in the future. Acting professionally since the age of 3, HALLEE HIRSH has amassed an impressive resume of film and TV credits. She got her start in commercials in Florida but a family move to New York City when she was 4 put her in place to rapidly expand her horizons and experience starting with a regular gig on the ABC Soap "Loving" and soon leading to significant roles in studio movies. Her earlier films include You’ve Got Mail where she appeared opposite Tom Hanks as his character’s eight year old aunt “Annabelle” and One True Thing, where she played the younger version of Rene Zellweger’s character and opposite both Meryl Streep and William Hurt. While adding to her theatrical resume, she also began building a solid filmography in TV including both starring and supporting roles in made for television movies and an extensive list of major guest starring roles on TV episodics including "Law & Order," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Judging Amy," and more recently, "Will and Grace," "Boston Legal," "Six Feet Under," "Grey’s Anatomy," "The Guardian," "Cold Case," "Without a Trace," "Ghost Whisperer," "Saving Grace" and others. 7 Eine Überraschung zum Fest At the age of 13 and after a move to Los Angeles, she landed the major recurring role of Rachel Greene, Anthony Edwards’ wayward daughter on "ER," followed two years later in the recurring role of Mattie Grace Johnson on "JAG" for the next two years. In recent years, she completed a three season contract on the Discovery Kids Channel hit teen show, "Flight 29 Down," and starring roles in several made for TV movies and independent features, including The Hallmark Channel’s "Wild Hearts," and Don Roos’ Happy Endings. Hallee is the recipient of two Youth in Film Young Artists Awards for her starring role on the Disney Channel’s Christmas classic, "The Ultimate Christmas Present," and a supporting best actress award for her work on Lifetime Channel’s "My Sister’s Keeper." KELLY KEATON.