THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The City of Roses is the root of an upcoming feature film.

“Celeste,” filmed entirely in Thomasville, is the first feature film set in the city.

“It’s the story of a young man whose wife has passed away,” Brad Wheeler, director and producer, said. “He kind of starts feeling as if something is off, something’s not right and he meets two ladies who help him relive certain memories with his wife as though they are happening for the first time.”

Wheeler, along with his brother and sister, Ryan and Courtney Wheeler, wanted to cultivate the creative film community in Thomasville, as all three have experience in the film industry.

The three siblings are not the only crew members.

Wheeler gave 15 students, aged 13 to 16, the chance to work on the film, having formerly taught film at the Scholars Academy.

“We had about half professionals, half students working on our film, which was a neat little hybrid to have as Thomasville’s first film,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler added, “We rallied the city behind us. It was the first city-sponsored feature film, so they worked really closely with us on permits, on electricity, on all kinds of things.”

Filming began in July 2016 and wrapped in August the same year.

Filming locations included Grassroots Coffee Company, SASS!, and Laurel Hill Cemetery, among other Thomasville locales. Wheeler said filming locales were within miles of each other.

The film is in the last stages of postproduction.

“We’re still in editing now,” Wheeler said, as 85 to 90 percent of editing is complete.

The music is being finalized and automated dialogue replacement is underway, Wheeler said.

Wheeler is hoping to premiere the film in late April or early May.

“We anticipate having the feature complete and ready for premiere in a month or so,” he said, noting that students who had a heavy hand in the film will also be a part of the premiere.

Though the film has not debuted yet, Wheeler noted “non-stop” anticipation for the film.

“If Iʼm out in Thomasville, I get asked at least once or twice when’s ‘Celeste’ coming out, what’s the deal,” Wheeler said. “I love the fact that me and my crew get recognized as the film people in Thomasville.”

Wheeler added he gets asked, both directly and indirectly, five to six times a week about the film.

“It’s not all my mom asking either,” he joked.

Wheeler said the film will have a family-friendly tone.

“I tell people sometimes there’s a sprinkle of Disney magic,” he said.

Prior to the premiere, Wheeler said he plans to show a short documentary detailing the process of making the film, the students’ experiences, and a behind-the-scenes look.

Wheeler added he anticipates the film being around 75 minutes long.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.