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Haaland described the movie as a personal effort that began with friends reading the script over Zoom. \u201cOne of them, Sharon Oliphant, who was reading with me, she said, \u2018I would really like to produce this with you,\u2019\u2009\u201d Haaland said.<\/p>\n
While \u201cChristmas at the Cabin\u201d is a new title for mainstream faith viewers, Haaland is not new to acting in faith-oriented projects. She said she has \u201cbeen starring in a TV show called Vindication. It\u2019s a faith-based crime drama,\u201d and appeared in \u201cThe Forge,\u201d a film from the Kendrick Brothers.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on a decade in Los Angeles, she said it felt \u201ckind of like a desert for me,\u201d but added that the experience was formative. \u201cSometimes God plants the seed in the and you\u2019re kind of buried underground for a bit, and then now it\u2019s finally starting. To sprout,\u201d Haaland said.<\/p>\n
Oliphant purchased an option on the script in January, and by April Haaland said the project had found a home at Faith Channel, which she called \u201ctheir first original feature film.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were funded in April, and by the end of April we were filming in Breckenridge, Colorado,\u201d Haaland said. The production captured late-season snowfall, with principal photography running through May 12. \u201cWe\u2019ve managed to do all the snow, and it was just perfect timing,\u201d she said, adding that the fast pace of the production felt providential. \u201cSo we\u2019re like, OK, the Lord must want this movie out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas at the Cabin\u201d blends comedy and spiritual themes, Haaland said, aiming to be \u201cvery seeker friendly.\u201d \u201cNobody\u2019s banging you over the head with anything,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we, we challenge you to look at your own faith journey and just really also your mental health journey, and kind of try to see where are you at? Are you doing okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the film is intended to prompt reflection without proselytizing, using humor as a vehicle for deeper concerns. \u201cI think that through the comedy in this film, we\u2019re able to to highlight that peace is really important,\u201d Haaland said. \u201cAnd the people that you\u2019re with, of course, but the peace that you have is really a really important part of having good, good holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haaland hopes families will find the film uplifting. \u201cI\u2019m really hopeful that people will enjoy it and just have more joy,\u201d she said. \u201cYou know, I think we all need a little bit extra joy, and so I\u2019m really thrilled to be able to bring in a faith-based comedy, because I think that we all need to laugh. If we can\u2019t laugh at ourselves, then then we\u2019re struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The film\u2019s themes, she said, are about more than seasonal warmth and togetherness. Her hope is that \u201cChristmas at the Cabin\u201d encourages viewers to assess both spiritual and emotional well-being.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe challenge you to look at your own faith journey and just really also your mental health journey,\u201d she said, noting the interplay between inner peace and meaningful holiday gatherings.<\/p>\n
Haaland framed the movie as part of a larger cultural need for uplifting content. \u201cThere\u2019s so much content out there that just kind of drags us down and makes us feel worse than we did coming into it,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m really hopeful that this film is going to make people feel lighter and more joyful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The film also aims to serve viewers who want entertainment rooted in Christian themes without alienating general audiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to be able to combine filmmaking, which I love, and the love of Jesus and the birth of his son, and to be able to to make something for people in that season when they do want to be in community with each other,\u201d Haaland said. She pictured viewers bundled under blankets, sharing hot chocolate and enjoying a movie that \u201cis good for your spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haaland credited timing, collaborators and faith for the project\u2019s swift transition from script to screen. She recounted the serendipitous sequence of events: a Zoom reading, a producer\u2019s interest, an option purchase and an early funding decision. \u201cBy April, she had found Faith Channel, and John Stewart, who\u2019s the CEO, was very excited about the script,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For Haaland, the film\u2019s journey has been both professional milestone and personal affirmation. \u201cI\u2019m excited,\u201d she said, \u201cand I\u2019m in hopeful expectations of more work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas at the Cabin\u201d is available to rent or purchase from The Faith Network.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n