MarVista to Rep Two New Hallmark Movies

LOS ANGELES: MarVista Entertainment has taken on distribution for two new Hallmark Channel original movies, When Sparks Fly and The Nine Lives of Christmas.

When Sparks Fly is a romantic drama written by Carol Starr Schneider and directed by Gary Yeates. It stars Meghan Markle (Suits), Christopher Jacot (Beyblade: Shogun Steel, Eureka), Kristina Pesic (Defiance), Lochlyn Munro (True Justice, Charmed) and Keith MacKechine (Radio Rebel, 7th Heaven).

The Nine Lives of Christmas is a holiday family film. It stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Kimberley Sustad (A Bride For Christmas), along with Stephanie Bennett (Signed, Sealed, Delivered), Chelsea Hobbs (Make It or Break It) and Gregory Harrison (One Tree Hill). The TV movie is a Nine Lives Films production, directed by Mark Jean from a script by Nancey Silvers based on a book by Sheila Roberts.

“International buyers and their audiences have demonstrated a great affinity for original films produced for the Hallmark Channel, and we have no doubt these two new movies will create a groundswell of demand in the international market,” said Fernando Szew, MarVista's CEO. “Bauman Entertainment has produced top-quality movies with all of the elements—holiday, romance, drama, a dash of comedy and strong casting–that are sure to score big with broadcasters and their audiences.”

Ted Bauman, the president and producer at Bauman Entertainment, commented, “Fernando and the MarVista team are keenly aware of what buyers are looking for to reach their target audiences, and we are confident that When Sparks Fly and The Nine Lives of Christmas will prove to be audience pleasers around the world.”