Now encountering its very first season of Christmas programming, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) presents the SXSW Film Festival award-winning documentary “Becoming Santa,” making its television debut on Dec. 7 at 9 p.m.

According to the network, “Becoming Santa,” directed by Jeff Myers and written by Jack Sanderson follows Jack’s journey as he transforms himself into Santa Claus and fully immerses himself in Santa culture. Viewers follow Jack as he bleaches his hair, gets fitted for a custom Santa suit and attends Santa School. As his Santa story unfolds, Jack works to fulfill as many of Santa’s responsibilities as possible — from appearing in a Christmas parade, to ringing a bell on a street corner in New York City, to collecting children’s wishes — learning along the way about the ordinary people keeping Santa’s spirit alive.

Interwoven with Jack’s story are interviews with professional Santas, Santa enthusiasts and historians who provide the fascinating little known history of Santa Claus in America and how the Civil War helped to shape the Christmas holiday as we know it today. 

Encore presentations of the film will follow on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. and Dec. 23 at 9 p.m.

Contact Tribune entertainment reporter Kimberly C. Roberts at (215) 893-5753 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .