Deep Dive: Santa Camp (2022)
Film Lens
Santa Camp is a 2022 documentary that focuses on a training camp for individuals aspiring to become Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and elves, organized by the New England Santa Society in New Hampshire. The film centers on the camp's mission to increase diversity in the portrayal of Santa Claus by featuring three new trainees: a Black Santa, a transgender Santa, and a Santa with a disability. The camp is co-founded by Dan Greenleaf, who emphasizes the importance of representation, stating, 'A child wants somebody who looks like them. What's the problem?' This perspective drives the narrative of the film as it follows the experiences of both trainees and trainers at the camp.
The documentary also addresses the role of Mrs. Claus, discussing issues of equal pay and recognition for her performers. It includes camp meetings where these topics are debated. The film premiered at the 2022 Doc NYC film festival and was released on HBO Max on November 17, 2022. It features personal stories from the trainees, including Chris, who faced hate mail for his Black Santa decorations, and Levi, a transgender Santa, who reflects on the impact of representation during his childhood.
Why Watch
- •Meet Chris, a Black Santa facing hate mail.
- •Find out about Levi, a transgender Santa's impact.
- •See Fin's journey to becoming Santa in a parade.
Did You Know
•The film premiered at the 2022 Doc NYC film festival.
•Santa Camp was released on HBO Max on November 17, 2022.
•The film has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 5 reviews.
•Fin, a Santa trainee, was born with spina bifida and uses an iPad to communicate.
Perfect For
Diversity in mediaHoliday traditionsSanta Claus enthusiasts