Three years after Mel Gibson made a special appearance at CBA's summer convention to seek pre-release support for The Passion of The Christ, another forthcoming major movie with a strong Christian retail tie-in was introduced to retailers at the industry's main annual showcase.

CBA President Bill Anderson welcomed scriptwriter Mike Rich to yesterday's second Super Session to talk about his work on The Nativity Story, to be released worldwide Dec. 1 by New Line Cinema. Rich also introduced a behind-the-scenes filmed report on the project that stars Oscar-nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider). The dramatization was filmed in Italy and Morocco.

Rich, a Christian whose previous films include The Rookie and Radio, said he hoped that the film might provide an opportunity for families to sit down together “and talk about these remarkable individuals, this remarkable story.” The project was “so close to my heart,” he said. “I felt such a personal conviction to tell this story.”

Tyndale House Publishers has signed an agreement with New Line to publish two books tied to the film-The Nativity Story Picture Book, a gift book with images from the movie, and a novelization by Angela Hunt.