It took three long years, but Philadelphia native Ben Hickernell debut his first full-length feature film partially shot in and named after Lebanon, Pennsylvania, named “Lebanon, Pa” at Great Escape theater at the Lebanon Valley Mall in Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Hickernell wrote, directed and co-produced the film, and as reported by ldnews.com, stresses that the film is not about the town itself and is merely the setting for the story. Although some of the scenes were shot in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, most of the film was actually shot in Philadelphia.

The story is described as Will (Josh Hopkins), a charming 35-year-old Philadelphia ad man, heads to Lebanon, Pa. to bury his recently deceased father. He forms an unexpected friendship with CJ (Rachel Kitson), his bright, newly pregnant 17-year-old cousin. As Will becomes interested in CJ’s married teacher (Samantha Mathis) and CJ confronts her conflicted father, both struggle with formidable decisions about the path their lives will take.

Can we vault our differences and meet in the middle? This bittersweet comic drama tenderly explores the cultural divide in America through the lives of one extended family.

“Lebanon, Pa” premiered at the 2010 South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas, and also screened in filmmaker Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan in July, where it won the Founder’s Prize for Best Fiction Film.

The film also won the Filmadelphia Award for the best film made in Pennsylvania at the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Standout Film Award at the Hells Half Mile Film and Music Festival in Michigan.

The movie is now in limited release in New York City, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan and Florida, with new cities continuously being added.

Visit the official film site for more details.

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