A new film about the life of Jimmy Stewart will make its world premiere in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
\u201cJimmy\u201d<\/a> follows Stewart\u2019s service in World War II and how it shaped his role as George Bailey in the 1946 holiday classic \u201cIt\u2019s A Wonderful Life.\u201d The biopic stars KJ Apa, Kara Killmer, Neal McDonough, Max Casella, Christopher McDonald, Sarah Drew, Rob Riggle, Julian Works and Jen Lilley.<\/p>\n Ahead of its Nov. 6 release in theaters, \u201cJimmy\u201d will make its world premiere as the opening night film of the Lone Star Film Festival<\/a> on Nov. 4.<\/p>\n Fort Worth-based Papaian Studios<\/a> is hosting the premiere in conjunction with the festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat storytelling matters. The right message matters even more,\u201d Papaian Studios founder Hien Papaian said in a news release. \u201cFort Worth has a special meaning to the Stewart family, and with Burns & Co. Entertainment, we hope to honor Jimmy\u2019s legacy, celebrate his service, and remember his life of resilience, kindness, and achievement in film and as part of the American story. Papaian Studios is proud to host this special world premiere.\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy Stewart film to premiere in Fort Worth<\/p>\n The full cast of \u201cJimmy\u201d will be in attendance for the Fort Worth premiere.<\/p>\n In addition, \u201cJimmy\u201d director Aaron Burns and screenwriter Justin Strawhand will be there as will producers David Cook, Angela Galgani Sullivan, Jack McClintock and executive producer Kelly Stewart-Harcourt.<\/p>\n The festival is also marking the special occasion by presenting the inaugural \u201cJimmy Stewart Service Award\u201d to an actor who \u201cexemplifies Stewart\u2019s qualities of service and sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something fitting about premiering \u2018Jimmy\u2019 here, in a town Stewart genuinely loved. We\u2019re proud to welcome this movie home to Fort Worth, where it will open the 20th anniversary Lone Star Film Festival,\u201d said Chad Mathews, Lone Star Film Festival executive director, in a news release. \u201cJimmy Stewart would certainly have relished a festival premiere in a city he held such affection for. We\u2019re honored to celebrate his legacy alongside Papaian Studios and Burns & Co., the filmmakers who brought this story to life.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac In case you missed it:<\/p>\n \u25fd\ufe0f Get Star-Telegram headlines in your inbox<\/a>.<\/p>\n While born and raised in Pennsylvania, Stewart had a deep tie to Fort Worth.<\/p>\n The Academy Award winner served as a celebrity ambassador to Fort Worth during the 1970s and was a major promoter of the Fort Worth Zoo. During that time, Stewart narrated a short film called \u201cFort Worth: The Unexpected City\u201d<\/a> that depicted Cowtown\u2019s cultural heritage.<\/p>\n Stewart\u2019s voice from the film was revived just a few years ago in a new advertising campaign from Visit Fort Worth. The initial 2023 video<\/a>, and new 2026 version<\/a>, pair Stewart\u2019s voice with modern views of the city.<\/p>\n