Los Angeles, California – Press
Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions and the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) are proud to announce the completion of principal photography for Heart Full of Hope, their second Christmas holiday film dedicated to raising awareness about kidney disease. This poignant feature, produced by Nicole Mendez and Suzanne DeLaurentiis, tells an inspiring story of resilience, love, and the transformative power of kindness while shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals battling renal failure.
Written by Tricia Aurand and directed by Dale Fabrigar, Heart Full of Hope is a tender holiday film starring Juliah Taylor, Chelsea Cook, and Sebastian Armani. With its themes of perseverance and hope, it promises to be a moving addition to the holiday season lineup. Heart Full of Hope follows Whitney, played by Juliah Taylor, a determined woman in her 30s who refuses to let renal failure or the demands of regular dialysis stand in the way of her dream to earn a college degree. Supporting her is her vibrant younger sister, Lynette, played by Chelsea Cook, whose unwavering love masks the heartache of knowing she isn’t a match to help Whitney through a kidney transplant.
The story takes an uplifting turn when Whitney forms a unique bond with Sebastian, played by Sebastian Armani. Sebastian is a charismatic teacher who has recently returned home to teach at her college. As Whitney introduces Sebastian to Lynette, sparks fly between them, bringing unexpected joy into their lives.
Meanwhile, Lynette’s boss, Kaya, a Native American woman, played by Cree Armstead, reveals that her grandfather is battling kidney failure and struggling to find a donor. Through Kaya’s heartfelt story, Lynette gains insight into the broader impact of kidney disease within Native American communities and begins understanding the systemic challenges many face in finding treatment.
Heart Full of Hope will be released during the 2025 holiday season. For updates on the film and information about kidney disease awareness initiatives, visit MNITF.org.
About the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF):
MNITF is a public non-profit organization that adheres to its mission of advancing the science and practice of organ transplantation and end-stage organ disease therapies through research, education, and innovation. MNITF’s commitment to education and outreach has resulted in successful, community patient education programs that target underserved populations to increase awareness and access to transplantation.
For more information on MNITF, please see https://mnitf.org/.
