Winnipeg-produced Christmas TV movie premieres Dec. 16 on VisionTV

TORONTO , Dec. 3 /CNW/ - The Christmas Hope - an original TV movie filmed earlier this year in Winnipeg - will make its Canadian television premiere Dec. 16 on VisionTV.

This heartwarming film is based on the third novel in the Christmas trilogy by author Donna VanLiere (The Christmas Shoes). Madeleine Stowe (The Last of the Mohicans) stars as social worker Patricia Addision, whose marriage has been troubled since the death of her son two years earlier.

When Patricia and her husband Mark (Dexter's James Remar) take in a special five-year-old named Emily ( Tori Barban ) over the holidays, the couple set aside their differences - and their grief - to give the orphaned girl a joyful Christmas. Ian Ziering and Jayne Eastwood also star.

The Christmas Hope was produced by Craig Anderson Productions and Beth Grossbard Productions. Winnipeg native Norma Bailey directed, from a teleplay by Wesley Bishop .

VisionTV presents The Christmas Hope on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Central Time .

* For more information on VisionTV programming, please visit www.visiontv.ca

* To see full programs and exclusive clips, check out http://video.visiontv.ca/

For further information: Media Contact: David Todd, Media Relations Manager, VisionTV, Phone: [phone], ext. 207, Email: [email protected]