“X-Mas Anonymous”: A Holiday Comedy

We had the pleasure of speaking with Sammy Smedley, an accomplished NYC-based actress turned filmmaker, about her debut short film X-Mas Anonymous that was nominated as a finalist for the Best Comedy Film Award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. Sammy has taken her love of the holiday season and her many years of experience in front of the camera to create a film that’s both humorous and heartwarming, poking fun at the holiday madness we’ve all seen (or perhaps been part of!).

The Genesis of “X-Mas Anonymous”
X-Mas Anonymous began as a sketch comedy idea that quickly evolved into a short film. Sammy explains that the story is inspired by the universal obsession with the holiday season. “I wanted to poke fun at how crazy people can behave during the holidays and explore that feeling in an even more insane setting,” she says. The film humorously redefines Christmas celebrations, placing the characters in a fictional support group where everyone has bizarre, compulsive Christmas habits.

Sammy drew inspiration from her own Christmas-crazy family. “It was important for me to emphasize that there’s no wrong way to celebrate the holiday as long as you’re celebrating together.” The characters, while exaggerated in their behavior, still crave the same thing as many real-life individuals: to be seen, accepted, and have a sense of community.

Challenges of Filmmaking
X-Mas Anonymous was Sammy’s first time directing, producing, and acting in her own work. Although the actual filming process went smoothly thanks to a team she’d worked with before, Sammy admits that juggling her roles as both actor and director was personally challenging. “It’s very easy to forget which hat you’re wearing while you’re in character,” she explains, but she looks forward to continuing her journey as a filmmaker and mastering this balancing act.

A Decade of Experience
Sammy has spent the last ten years as an actress in NYC, performing in numerous independent films. Although she had never worked behind the camera, she learned a great deal from her time on set, always observing and asking questions. “I found those many years of being on set as an actress incredibly beneficial,” she says. Her transition into filmmaking has allowed her to explore storytelling from a new perspective, and she’s thrilled to finally be sharing her own ideas.

What’s Next?
After wrapping X-Mas Anonymous, Sammy has already completed her next short comedy film, How’s That Working For You?, which will hit the festival circuit in 2025. She’s also in the process of writing a sci-fi romantic comedy, which she hopes to shoot later this year.

Connecting with Sammy
For those interested in learning more about Sammy’s work or future projects, you can visit her website at www.sammysmedley.com or follow her on Instagram @sammy_smeds. You can also check out her production company, Blue Plumbago Productions, at www.blueplumbagoproductions.com and @blueplumbago on Instagram.

Looking Ahead
While there are currently no distribution plans for X-Mas Anonymous, Sammy hopes to make it publicly accessible on platforms like Amazon or Tubi once its festival run concludes. With her unique blend of humor and heart, Sammy is one to watch as she continues to bring her stories to life, both behind and in front of the camera.

From the Film Festival Circuit Founder, Mikal Fair: