Christmas movies are in high demand on several American television networks, and Almonte provides a perfect setting. Wrapped, or in production this year, titles include ‘Fatman’, featuring Mel Gibson as Santa Claus, set in the backwoods of Alaska (Almonte); ‘The Christmas Setup’ on Lifetime takes place in Milwaukee (Almonte); ‘The Rooftop Christmas Tree’, a 2016 UPtv movie (Almonte); the recent Holiday movie shot in town – ‘Unlocking Christmas’ on Hallmark takes place in the United States (Almonte); and in 2007 a Lifetime movie starring Tori Spelling was made in Almonte. . . . . . <ABOVE – Juniper Square; photo by KYLE BERGER, New York Times><ABOVE – The Almonte Mill by Mary Alexandra – east lake, on artnet>AINSLIE S. WIGGS, an Ottawa location manager, says “If Norman Rockwell were to production design a small town for a film, this is what he would draw.”  Sculptor and puppeteer STEPHEN BRATHWAITE, who lives in the Almonte region, explained that the town’s rich and varied architecture is a cinematographer’s dream. . . . . <ABOVE – Thomas Street house; photo by Zolo> Mini Hollywood North it is. . . . . <PHOTO – Kyle Berger, New York Times>