BIDDEFORD — A locally filmed movie comes to the big screen this weekend at City Theater.

“Holly Star” is a romantic comedy that was filmed in December 2016 in Kennebunk, Saco and Biddeford. It was written and directed by Michael Nickles.

The movie is about a young woman who barely makes a living as a puppeteer and her return to Maine for the holiday. While in Maine, she gets caught up in a mysterious treasure hunt involving her paintball-obsessed best friend, her tango-dancing grandmother and a childhood crush.

“Holly Star” was released on DVD and on demand on several video streaming services on Dec. 4.

“Holly Star” will be shown this weekend at City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. There will be screenings Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Following the Saturday evening show, there will be a question and answer session with film makers and some of the cast at 8:30 p.m.

Ticket are general admission and are $8.50 for the evening shows and $7 for the matinee. They can be purchases ahead of time at the theater or online at www.citytheater.org.

Mark Nahorney, president of the City Theater Association board, was an extra in the movie. He said he enjoyed the experience and the movie is “delightful.”

Nahorney said the film is fun to watch not only because he was able to recognize the locations and some of the people in the movie, but because it’s a well-made movie with a good story.

“’Holly Star’ is an adventure Christmas movie that gives you all the warm fuzzies you want to celebrate the holidays. It’s fun, heartfelt, stunningly shot and a wonderful reminder of the things that matter most,” said Los Angeles-based actress Teya Patt in an email.

Patt plays the best friend of the lead in the movie, and she said she especially loves that while watching the movie the viewer gets to see “the beauty that is Maine.”

“With winter backdrops you only dream about to the people with hearts of gold, ‘Holly Star’ will forever feel like home,” she said.

Many of the scenes in the movie were filmed at the home of Saco Main Street Executive Director Rob Biggs and his family in Saco.

The crew had planned to film in a home in Portland, said Robert Biggs, executive director of downtown revitalization organization Saco Main Street, and when that arrangement didn’t work out, Biggs was asked if the crew could film in his house.

Two days later, the crew and cast members arrived at his home. The crew was at his home for seven days from about 6 a.m. to about 9 p.m., setting up the craft services, or food table, in the Biggs family’s kitchen.

“We learned how to live around a movie crew,” said Biggs.

Biggs said he, his wife, and his two daughters all make appearances in the movie.

“Everyone in our family was in it, including the dog,” said Biggs.

Biggs enjoyed being involved in the movie and enjoyed watching it as well, describing it as a cute and feel-good Christmas move.

The film also provided opportunities for local people to work in the film industry and for some, provided a boost to their career, Biggs said. He said he would like to see incentives for filmmakers in Maine match other states to entice more filmmakers to come to the area.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or email egotthelf@journaltribune.com.