Breakup Season

Last updated
Breakup Season
Breakup Season Movie Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byH. Nelson Tracey
Written byH. Nelson Tracey
Produced by
  • Stephen Mastrocola
  • Rafi Jacobs
  • Liana Montemayor
  • Christopher Jennings
  • H. Nelson Tracey
Starring
CinematographyEric Macey
Edited by
  • Almog Avidan Antonir
  • William Neal
  • H. Nelson Tracey
Music byDavid Stal
Production
company
Static Films
Distributed byBuffalo 8
Release dates
  • March 29, 2024 (2024-03-29)(Desertscape International Film Festival)
  • November 15, 2024 (2024-11-15)(U.S.)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Breakup Season is a 2024 American romantic dramedy film written & directed by H. Nelson Tracey. [1] The film stars Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, and James Urbaniak, and follows a young couple whose relationship unravels during a Christmas visit to a rural Oregon hometown. Independently produced and financed, the project was developed through the Filmmaker Residency at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival. [2] It was filmed on location in La Grande, Oregon. [3]

Contents

Breakup Season had its world premiere at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, Utah on March 29, 2024. [4] [5] It had a limited theatrical release starting November 15, 2024, [1] [6] followed by a worldwide digital release on December 6, 2024. [1] It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

Ben Russell (Chandler Riggs) brings his girlfriend Cassie (Samantha Isler) to his rural hometown for Christmas. Not long after they arrive, tensions within the family and unresolved issues in the couple's relationship lead to an argument that ends in a breakup. Cassie plans to return home, but winter weather and the town's remote location make travel impossible. Forced to remain together for the rest of the holiday, she and Ben navigate the discomfort of their recent breakup while spending Christmas together alongside Ben's family.

Cast

Development

Breakup Season was developed through the Filmmaker Residency program at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival, which provided writer-director H. Nelson Tracey with time, creative space, and resources to develop the screenplay, marking his feature-length debut as a writer and director. [2] [7] The script evolved through live readings and local engagement, forming the foundation for the film's emotional and geographic setting. [8] [3]

Production

Principal photography took place in February 2023 in La Grande, Oregon. [9] Local community members participated as extras and provided logistical support. [10] The production was featured in local coverage for its positive impact on the community. [11] [12] [13]

Release

World premiere

Breakup Season held its World Premiere on March 29, 2024 at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, Utah. [14] Cast and crew attended the premiere, including all 6 members of the principal ensemble cast, and the film received 4 awards from the festival. [15] [16]

Festival circuit

Breakup Season screened at 39 film festivals in the United States. [17] Notable Film Festival selections included: Newport Beach, [18] [19] Port Townsend, [20] Waco Independent, [21] [22] Julien Dubuque, [23] RiverRun, [24] and San Antonio. [25] The film received multiple jury and audience awards on the festival circuit. [26] [27]

Denver premiere

Breakup Season had its Denver premiere at the Esquire Theatre on June 19, 2025. [28] The film's writer-director H. Nelson Tracey grew up blocks away from the Esquire Theatre, and the sold-out screening was one of the final public events at the historic 97-year-old venue before its closure. [29] It was covered by several local news outlets. [28] [30] [31]

Tulsa premiere

Breakup Season held its Tulsa premiere at the Circle Cinema Film Festival on July 15, 2024, where it served as the festival's closing night selection. [32] The sold-out screening also coincided with Tulsa born actress Samantha Isler receiving a Circle Cinema Walk of Fame medallion, [33] an honor she described as a surreal milestone given her long history with the theater. [34] [35]

La Grande premiere

Breakup Season held its premiere in La Grande, Oregon, the movie's filming location, during the Eastern Oregon Film Festival on October 18, 2024. [26] The film screened to a sold-out audience at Eastern Oregon University's McKenzie Theatre and received a standing ovation. [7] The screening also coincided with La Grande's addition to the Oregon Film Trail, with a marker unveiled in the downtown core the following day recognizing Breakup Season as the 43rd film featured on the statewide trail showcasing movie locations within Oregon. [36]

Theatrical release

Breakup Season was released theatrically in 18 cities in the United States including Los Angeles, San Jose, Lexington, Mount Vernon, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Corvallis, beginning November 15, 2024. [17] [7] [37] [38] [39]

Home media

The film was released on digital platforms (Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play) on December 6, 2024 via distributor Buffalo 8. [1] [7]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 94% of 16 critics' reviews are positive. [40]

On The Oregonian , Kristi Turnquist wrote that "Breakup Season offers characters who don’t always act in ways you might expect, lets the good cast of actors shine, and by the end, earns genuine emotion, with a conclusion that feels totally right." [41] On Film Threat , Sabina Dana Plasse scored the film an 8 out of 10, writing in her review consensus section: "a promising seasonal classic for 20-somethings and the rest of us." [42]

Accolades

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Stephan, Katcy (2024-10-18). "Christmas Dramedy 'Breakup Season' Lands Distribution From Buffalo 8, Releases First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  2. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (2023-02-07). "'The Walking Dead's Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler Board H. Nelson Tracey's Dramedy 'Breakup Season'". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  3. 1 2 Reports, Staff (2022-10-24). "Grande Ronde Valley to be backdrop of movie production starting in February". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  4. ↑ "The Desertscape International Film Festival to coincide with the St. George Art Festival". The Independent | Southern Utah's #1 Source for Arts, Events & Entertainment. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  5. ↑ Reports, Staff (2024-06-13). "Curtain to raise on 'Breakup Season' in La Grande". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  6. ↑ Billington, Alex (2024-10-29). "Official Trailer for Indie Dramedy 'Breakup Season' Set at Christmas | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Reports, Staff (2024-10-24). ""Breakup Season," filmed in La Grande, receives standing ovation at local showing". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  8. ↑ "A La Grande Old Time". Oregon ArtsWatch. 2024-10-24.
  9. ↑ "New holiday movie puts spotlight on La Grande". opb. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  10. ↑ Reports, Staff (2023-02-20). "Volunteer is reaching out to help transport 'Breakup Season' cast and crew around town". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  11. ↑ "Community lauded for its assistance in the filming of 'Breakup Season'". La Grande Observer. 2023-02-26.
  12. ↑ Reports, Staff (2023-03-02). "Hosting a movie production was an enjoyable experience for La Grande family". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  13. ↑ Reports, Staff (2023-02-22). "'Breakup Season' actor reflects on his time in La Grande". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  14. ↑ Reports, Staff (2024-03-05). "'Breakup Season' to make world premiere soon". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  15. ↑ DeGraw, Stephanie (2024-04-03). "'Spirit of community' alive and well at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George". St. George News. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  16. 1 2 Mast, Adam (2024-04-03). "DesertScape International Film Festival Highlights". The Independent | Southern Utah's #1 Source for Arts, Events & Entertainment. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  17. 1 2 Molloy, Tim (2025-11-17). "The 25 Coolest Film Festivals Panel of Cool, 2025". MovieMaker . Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  18. ↑ Feinberg, Scott (2024-09-17). "Newport Beach Film Fest: Peter Sarsgaard Set for Film Performance of the Year Honor and Live 'Awards Chatter' Pod, Lineup Announced (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  19. ↑ Sippell, Margeaux (2024-09-18). "Newport Beach Film Festival 2024 Lineup Features Exciting New Films Blitz and Nightbitch". MovieMaker . Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  20. 1 2 "2024 Awards". PT Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  21. 1 2 P, Terry (2024-07-30). "'Breakup Season' and 'The Cigarette Surfboard' Win Top Prizes at Waco Indie Film Festival". VIMooZ. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  22. ↑ Molloy, Tim (2025-11-18). "The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, 2025". MovieMaker . Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  23. ↑ "Breakup Season screens at Julien Dubuque Film Festival". Telegraph Herald. 2024-05-05.
  24. ↑ "Breakup Season – RiverRun International Film Festival". RiverRun. 20 March 2024.
  25. ↑ "Breakup Season Film Premiere at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts". Do210. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  26. 1 2 Mohan, Marc. "'Breakup Season': La Grande-filmed feature has its Portland premiere • Oregon ArtsWatch". Oregon ArtsWatch • Arts & Culture News. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  27. ↑ Molloy, Tim (2025-06-04). "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee 2025". MovieMaker . Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  28. 1 2 "Filmmaker, Denver native holds movie premiere at historic theater before it closes its doors". KUSA.com. 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  29. ↑ Lavezzorio, Claire (2024-07-19). "Movie lovers say goodbye to Esquire Theatre after 97 years in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  30. ↑ "Time Warp director returns to fated Esquire of his youth". Denver Gazette. 2025-05-24.
  31. ↑ "Su Teatro buying two buildings to create 'cultural campus' on Santa Fe | Arts news". Denver Gazette. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  32. ↑ REPORTS, STAFF (2024-06-27). "Circle Cinema to present annual film festival July 11-15". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  33. ↑ Walters, Madison (2024-06-28). "Causing a scene: Circle Cinema Film Festival runs July 11-15". TulsaPeople Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  34. ↑ World, James D. Watts Jr Tulsa (2024-07-14). "'Surreal moment:' Actress Samantha Isler talks Walk of Fame honor, new film". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  35. ↑ "Video: Tulsa native Samantha Isler joins FOX23 ahead of the Circle Cinema Film Festival". www.fox23.com. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  36. ↑ Reports, Staff (2024-10-19). ""Breakup Season" puts La Grande on the Oregon Film Trail". La Grande Observer. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  37. ↑ "Indie Film Release Guide: November 15th [An ONTD Original]". ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  38. ↑ McKinney, Michael (2024-11-12). "A Look at the 8 New Movies Coming Out This Week: 'Red One,' 'Ghost Cat Anzu,' and More!". FanBolt. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  39. ↑ "Breakup Season". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  40. ↑ "Breakup Season". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  41. ↑ Oregonian/OregonLive, Kristi Turnquist | The (2024-12-01). "'Breakup Season' combines Oregon locations, a 'Walking Dead' star and a touching story". Here is Oregon - hereisoregon.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  42. ↑ "Breakup Season". Film Threat. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  43. ↑ "DIFF FINALISTS & WINNERS". FMASU. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  44. ↑ "Complete List of 2024 Blue Glass Award Winners (Updated)". Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  45. ↑ "2024 Awards". Cobb International Film Fest. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  46. ↑ "2024 AWARDS". Opilff. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  47. ↑ "2024 FESTIVAL". Phoenixvillefilmfest. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  48. ↑ "2024 Mystic Film Festival Winners | Mystic Film Festival, Mystic, Connecticut". Mystic Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  49. ↑ "NoID Film Festival – North Idaho's Largest Film Festival of 2024" . Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  50. ↑ P, Terry (2024-11-01). "'Between the Mountain and the Sky' is Top Prize Winner at Naples International Film Festival". VIMooZ. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  51. ↑ admin (2025-02-01). "COME LEARN MORE ABOUT MENTONE'S HISTORY!". Mentone Matters. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  52. ↑ "Arkansas Cinema Society". www.arkansascinemasociety.org. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
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