Film-making family in LA limelight | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Stepping out on to the red carpet at a Latino film festival in Los Angeles will be a family affair for a Christchurch producer this weekend.

Lisa Abbott, of Palm Tree Films, is the producer of feature film Meet Me in Miami, selected to premier at the opening of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival this Saturday night, LA time.

Mrs Abbott, of Merivale, will have her four children and husband in the limelight with her as they have all been involved in the production of the film.

Mrs Abbott's 13-year-old daughter, Brooke, was cast at age 11 to play the role of the young Julia, because of her uncanny resemblance to the lead actress playing the grown-up Julia, Tara Leniston.

"She's (Brooke) had a great time, she's very much an upfront person, she loves performing in front of people," said Mrs Abbott.

Directed by Eric Hannah and Iren Koster, the film is a romantic comedy about true love and its ability to last, even through years of separation. It stars Latin film and television celebrities Carlos Ponce and Eduardo Ver?stegui. The film was shot in nine weeks, seven of those in Christchurch and two on the Californian coast.

Originally from California, Mrs Abbott came to New Zealand 16 years ago when she met her husband, David, who is the executive producer of the film.

She said the film gave her the opportunity to showcase Christchurch.

"I love New Zealand. I just want to do whatever I can to help our country, this nation, it's just the most beautiful country in the world."

Other Christchurch actors include Brigid McClelland, Richard Burtt (whose family home was a key location in the film), Nicholas Bollen and Claire Bruce.

Ngai Tahu has presented Mrs Abbott with six pounamu taonga for the actors, including one for Jennifer Lopez who it is understood will be attending. It is hoped these can be presented on the red carpet, outside the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Mrs Abbott hopes to secure a distribution deal for the film while in LA, with a view to it opening in New Zealand theatres early next year.

Results from the film festival should be known by Monday morning, NZ time.