OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Omaha resident Darbi Scaglione has dreamed of breaking into the film industry for years. Now that dream is coming true.

Much of her work has been self-taught.

“I started writing five years ago and scoured the internet. I’ve watched over 300 videos on filmmaking, read a dozen books, talked to a lot of people, so I just kept passing my script along,” says Scaglione.

Scaglione had a health scare close to 10 years ago, which became a big motivating factor for wanting to try something new.

After 27 drafts, “All is Merry and Bright” is ready to hit screens nationwide next week. Producer and Creighton University alum Shun Lee Fong chose to film in his old stomping grounds.

“Since they’re from Omaha, I’m from Omaha, we’re very familiar with it. Of course, Omaha is just absolutely beautiful at Christmas with lights all over the city and we could just really envision it,” says Shun Lee.

Shun Lee is now the President & Creative Director of The Greenhouse, a community for creative artists in the entertainment industry.

The movie stars actors Emily Rose, Eric Close, Sally Struthers and John O’Hurley among others. Filmmakers shot many exterior scenes in December of 2024 at recognizable Omaha locations like the Old Market. A total of 550 cast and crew made this film possible. Many of the background actors are local residents of Omaha.

“So you’ll recognize the Old Market and Midtown and iconic buildings in Omaha,” says Scaglione.

The story follows a supermom trying to pull off the perfect Christmas when a grudge match breaks out. Moviemakers hope audiences can relate to the story.

“It’s like the holy grail that we’re all after to have this perfect Christmas and we actually kind of beat ourselves up when we don’t manage to get that. One of the things that we really wanted to drive home to people is that maybe the perfect Christmas is much simpler than we make it out to be. Maybe it’s beyond the lights and the glitz and all the trappings; maybe it’s a little more simple than that. Maybe the perfect Christmas is as simple as loving God and loving people,” says Shun Lee.

“It’s not for me, it’s for other people. So the comedy part, you just want to make other people laugh. Laughter is good medicine,” says Scaglione.

The cast and crew are holding a special premiere just for B&B Theatres Omaha Oakview Plaza 14 on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The premiere is open to the general public with tickets bought in advance. Information is on the flyer below.

“All is Merry and Bright” hits theaters nationwide Friday, Nov. 7.