Malibu, California - Present day. A smart, precocious and beautiful teenager named Katie (Mika Boorem, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights) celebrates her birthday with her family and friends. Halfway around world in rural China, another teenage girl, Lin (Yi Ding, Joy Luck Club), celebrates her birthday on the exact same day, but her reality exists in stark contrast to Katie's. Rescued as an infant, Lin has a severe facial deformity that prevents her from the freedom of ever showing her face. Her best hope for a “normal” life is the “Doctor’s Gift” program (based on Operation Smile).

Katie is searching for a deeper meaning to her life and is inspired to look outside her own world for something new and challenging. When her teacher Mr. Matthews (Sean Astin) introduces Katie to “Doctor's Gift”, it strikes an emotional chord for her. Although Katie has never done something like this before, she recognizes the opportunity, puts her own problems aside and volunteers to go on the next “Doctor's Gift” trip to China.

Once there, she is deeply touched by the charity’s work and her roommate/surgical nurse (Cheri Oteri, SNL.) Katie takes off on her own into the heart of China to find Lin. A “smile” is brought to Lin’s face, Katie finds her soul, and their extraordinary connection becomes a life-changing experience for both teenage girls.

Filmed on location in California and China.

 

Premiere Photos

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