One of the things that we love about Hallmark is their commitment to make a change in the world and uplift voices. They want to make a difference in the world and give people opprotunities. They are proving that with their programming, philanthropical efforts, as well as their Make Her Mark Women’s Directing Program.
The Make Her Mark program was started in 2023 and, “grants aspiring female filmmakers the opportunity to shadow an established Hallmark director throughout the entire production process of a Hallmark movie. Participants will work towards the ultimate opportunity of directing a Hallmark movie, supported by their mentor. The on-the-job mentorship initiative was founded by longtime Hallmark actor and creative partner Ashley Williams.”
The channel has announced their newest class of participants – four aspiring directors and one Hallmark star have all made it into the latest class. Four aspiring directors – Angie Nolan, Hannah Michielsen, Huriyyah Muhammad, and Sarah Wilson Thacker were all chosen from an open casting call.
“Our Hallmark Media family is immensely proud of the impact that Make Her Mark has made on our productions since its inception in 2023,” said Hallmark Media’s Senior Vice President of Physical Production, Randy Pope. “While Hallmark movies are beloved by a wide range of viewers, it’s well known that our stories are predominantly made for women, so the opportunity to provide up and coming female filmmakers their well-deserved shot in the director’s chair is incredibly meaningful to us.”
Several participants have completed the first phase of the program, which is shadowing a director on a Hallmark movie set: former director of industry programming at Whistler Film Festival, Angie Nolan (Adventures in Love & Birding); Huriyyah Muhammad (Tidings for the Season); Kay Metchie (The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening); and Hallmark star Nikki DeLoach (True Justice: Family Ties).
Previously announced Make Her Mark participant, Eva Tavares, will make her directorial debut with The Christmas Baby, an all-new Countdown to Christmas movie starring Ali Liebert and Kat Barrell that premieres Sunday, December 21 on Hallmark Channel.
