Prerna Singh
Part of Lifetime’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Lifetime’ movie line-up, ‘Feliz NaviDAD’ is a romantic film that revolves around a daughter who – after the death of her mother – aims to help her single father move on in life. Christmas is not the happiest time for David as it brings back painful memories of his deceased wife. It has been a few years since then, and his daughter (Noel) and sister (Marissa) are determined to bring back Christmas cheer into the family.
In an unexpected turn of events, David and Sophie meet through an online dating app. Naturally, sparks fly between the two. It is directed by Melissa Joan Hart from a script by Peter Murrieta. The lighthearted film is set in Arizona, but you might be wondering if it is also shot there. Well, let us share with you what we have found!
Feliz NaviDAD Filming Locations
‘Feliz NaviDAD’ is set during Christmas time in Arizona. However, you would be surprised to know that it was filmed extensively in the western state of Nevada. Let us take a look at the specific locations!
Nevada
‘Feliz NaviDAD’ was filmed in Nevada, specifically in Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Close to the hills of Sierra Nevada, both these places offer impressive settings for film productions. The capital of Nevada, Carson City, provides a range of locations in the city and the surrounding areas.
Within reach of the city, you can indulge in outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, and white water rafting. The city is known for the aesthetically beautiful architecture of the buildings, historic spots, museums, casinos, and fine dining restaurants. Several sequences were also filmed at the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, which is only a half an hour drive from Carson City. Located at the border of Nevada and California, it offers recreational sports all year round but is famously known for its ski resorts.
Like many other Christmas films, ‘Feliz NaviDAD’ was filmed in summer, in June 2020. Fake snow and heavy visual effects were used to depict snow in the film. ‘Feliz NaviDAD’ is one of the earliest productions to get on-ground during the pandemic. The standard protocols were followed to ensure the safety of everyone on the set. The cast and crew members wore masks, maintained physical distance, and carried out regular COVID-19 tests and temperature checks.
Feliz NaviDAD Cast
Mario Lopez is an actor and entertainment journalist who plays David Morales in the film. His repertoire of work includes movies, television series, and Broadway shows. He is known for his performances in ‘Saved By the Bell,’ ‘Pacific Blue,’ and ‘Nip/Tuck.’ AnnaLynne McCord portrays Sophie in this family drama. She is best known for her roles Naomi Clark and Eden Lord in ‘90210’ and ‘Nip/Tuck’ respectively. She also appears in ‘American Heiress’ and ‘The Night Shift.’
Paulina Chavez essays the character of Noel in this film. She also features in ‘The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia,’ which is co-created by Mario Lopez. Marycarmen Lopez portrays the role of David’s sister, Marissa Morales. Other cast members include Melissa Bolona (Stacy), Cheryl Freeman (Helen), Angel Alvarado (Kevin), and Rick Najera (Minister).
Read More: Is Feliz NaviDAD a True Story?
