Former CMT star-turned-movie director Lance Smith is set to screen his Nashville-made indie film, "The Christmas Heartbeat," for cast and crew Oct. 15 at Opry Mills.
Smith pulled two big Hollywood names for supporting roles in this new holiday movie, now streaming on both Amazon Prime and Fandango. Beverly D'Angelo, who played Ellen Griswold in the "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies, and pro wrestler-turned-actor Mick Foley came to Nashville in 2025 for a 16-day shoot inspired by the true survival story of a local activist.
The movie is based on the story of a young cardiac arrest survivor, Thompson's Station resident Carrie Romero, who branded herself Zapgirl on social media in 2018, about 20 years after surgeons put a defibrillator in her chest
to keep her heart beating regularly. She has since advocated for placing more AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in public places to try to restart hearts after cardiac episodes. There are now AEDs in places like Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Belmont University.
In fact, every aspect of the new Christmas movie is steeped in Nashville lore and happenstance. Romero and her husband, Gus, were once Tennessee Titans season ticket holders and met Smith during his time as the football team's in-stadium Jumbotron personality.
Together, they concocted an idea. Romero and her husband thought a holiday version of her story would be a fun way to continue that work and while also supporting Smith's career. The couple funded the $1 million movie, joining a team of executive producers that included screenwriter Chuck Fusca.
"We’re extremely grateful that the Titans brought us together," Romero told The Tennessean, "and it makes my enlarged heart so happy that we collectively put something good out into the world."
The plotline of "The Christmas Heartbeat": After a sudden cardiac arrest halts her career, a food writer comes back to her Tennessee hometown where it's always Christmas. She faces the past she fled and finds love along the way.
"It's a heartfelt story of resilience, recovery and hope," Smith said, adding that the film "aims to bring awareness to cardiac arrest survival."
The movie was shot at several recognizable Middle Tennessee locations, including Blakeford Senior Life in Green Hills and a private home in Leiper's Fork.
"The Christmas Heartbeat" is now available for rent through video-on-demand platforms, including Amazon and Fandango, while Smith continues to work on securing international distribution.
Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The newest Nashville Christmas movie is now streaming on Amazon
