“A Christmas Ornament to Remember,” a new holiday film, highlights Riverbank’s Plaza Del Rio, includes local residents as extras, and is available for viewing at Galaxy Theatres and online
RIVERBANK, Calif. —
The new Christmas movie “A Christmas Ornament to Remember” uses Riverbank’s Plaza Del Rio as the setting for some of its most iconic scenes, showcasing the city’s charm and community spirit.
The film stars Hannah Brantley as Amanda, a big-city veterinarian who returns to her small hometown after a major storm to help her family and save the town’s Christmas.
“It’s just that small-town charm,” Brantley said. “I love it so much, just being here and just immediately the warm community that just were so supportive and wanted to be involved.”
The movie was written and directed by Modesto native Arvin Berner, who said the decision to film in Riverbank was an easy one.
“We had written the script before we knew what the locations would be, so then we were scouting for locations, which is always a fun adventure. You get to find new places, and so we found this square here in Riverbank and we started talking to people and everyone in town was so excited and so supportive,” Berner said.
Filming took place in January, and hundreds of Riverbank residents participated as extras.
“Being able to see the residents kind of in the background of the movie, being extras and taking part of it was really special,” said Rachel Hernandez, mayor of Riverbank.
The movie premiered Thursday with a red carpet event at Galaxy Theatres in Riverbank, where it will have one more showing Friday at 7:15 p.m.
“This is the theater I always came to as a kid and as a young adult, it was my favorite theater to watch a movie at, and so now having our red carpet gala here last night and having a movie show here is so meaningful,” Berner said.
For those unable to attend the theater showings, an outdoor screening will take place Saturday afternoon at Plaza Del Rio at 5pm. The movie is also available for free on Tubi, YouTube, and other streaming platforms.
Berner said he is already working on another Christmas movie, which will also feature parts of Riverbank.
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