PRODUCTION BEGINS ON ORIGINAL MOVIE "THE MISTLE-TONES" SET TO PREMIERE IN CHRISTMAS 2012

Burbank, CA (February 23, 2012) - ABC Family announced that production has begun on the new original Christmas movie "The Mistle-Tones," starring Tori Spelling, Tia Mowry, Jonathan Patrick Moore, Reginald VelJohnson and Tammy Townsend. Shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah, the movie is set to premiere as part of the network's annual "25 Days of Christmas" programming event.

In "The Mistle-Tones," Holly (Mowry), blessed with an amazing singing voice, is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a legendary local Christmas group which was founded by her late mother years ago. Shocked and upset when the slot goes to the barely talented best friend of the group's leader, Marci (Spelling), Holly sets out to create her own musical group, The Mistle-Tones. After challenging their rivals to a sing-off on Christmas Eve, Holly finds herself on a journey to the real meaning of Christmas--with some new friends and a new love thrown in for good measure... Moore plays Holly's boss Nick, while VelJohnson and Townsend portay her father and sister. The Mistle-Tones" is executive produced by Maggie Malina ("Single Ladies"), from a script by Jed Elinoff & Scott Thomas ("My Super Psycho Sweet 16"), and directed by Paul Hoen ("Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam").

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.