The Nativity Story is to become the first feature film ever to premiere at the Vatican.
The premiere on Sunday November 26 will be held at the Vatican’s Aulo Paolo VI (Pope Paul VI Hall) and be attended by the film's director Catherine Hardwicke, actors Shohreh Aghdashloo and Oscar Isaac, producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, screenwriter Mike Rich, along with 7000 invited guests of the Vatican.
However, it seems there is no room at the inn for Keisha Castle-Hughes. The 16-year-old Academy Award nominee, who plays Mary and is expecting a baby herself next spring with her long-term partner Bradley Hull, 19, is not listed in the press release as being among the guests.
New Line’s President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing Rolf Mittweg said: "We are very proud of The Nativity Story and extremely grateful that the Vatican has embraced the film in this way."
"We believe it is the perfect venue to present the film’s universal message of hope and faith, a message we are sure will resonate around the world."
The event will serve as a benefit, with contributions going toward construction of a school in the village of Mughar, Israel – which has a diverse population of Christians, Muslims, and Druze and is located approximately 40 kilometres from Nazareth.
The film opens in the UK on December 8.
