The Cambria Film Festival, running February 5-9, has given SLO Review the opportunity to preview many of the more than 80 full-length and short films that make up its 2025 program schedule. All-access passes, live screening only passes, and passes to view films virtually after the festival are available now.


A Holiday Movie with a Twist

Breakup Season is not your typical, sappy, holiday feel-good movie. It tells the story of Ben (Chandler Riggs), a recent architect graduate looking for work, and his girlfriend Cassie (Samantha Isler) who works as a realtor in Los Angeles.

Ben brings Cassie to his hometown in rural eastern Oregon for the holidays, but once they settle in Cassie drops the bomb that the relationship is over. Since storms prevent her from leaving, the holidays turn into an awkward celebration. Since Ben’s family is so endearing and welcoming, Cassie makes the most of a difficult situation by joining Ben’s family holiday traditions.

Ben’s mother, Mia (Brook Hogan) can’t help but console Cassie as her heart goes out to her. Mia tries to embrace the situation and give Ben the clue that it’s over with Cassie even though Ben is not ready to accept it. An axe-throwing family outing highlights the symbolism that defines Cassie’s path. Ben’s dad Kirby (James Urbaniak), a quirky and insightful character, sees the good in everyone and helps to keep the holiday light.

Ben’s younger sister Liz (Carly Stewart) is a holiday vlogger and is very excited for Cassie’s arrival as she is expecting to meet the sister she never had. In a foreshadowing moment, Liz declares December 11 to be the most popular break-up day of the year and assures her listeners that her relationship with her new boyfriend was solid enough to survive the “breakup season.”

Ben’s know-it-all brother Gordon (Jacob Wysocki) judges both Ben and Cassie, making a difficult situation even more cringey.

Thanks to the skills of writer/director H. Nelson Tracey, Breakup Season sums up the steps you go through in the grieving process of a dying relationship. While this may seem like a downer, it’s actually a wonderful twist for a holiday movie.

Other film festivals seem to agree, with Breakup Season (Tracey’s first full-length film) winning awards for best feature (Desertscape International Film Festival, Eastern Oregon Film Festival, Mentone Film Festival) and best screenplay (Mystic Film Festival, Port Townsend Film Festival), while several members of the cast have been honored with acting awards.

It’s original, eye-opening, and thought provoking. The kindness and support shown by Ben’s family despite the hurt is inspirational and helps to remind us that we can push through anything in time.


Screenings of Breakup Season (run time 102 minutes), sponsored by William & Diane Franciscovich and Walt Andrus & Loree Parall, are at 7 p.m. Friday, February 7 and at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 8.

By Gary & Taffy Gonzalez

Gary and Taffy Gonzalez live and enjoy movies in San Luis Obispo, California.