LA GRANDE — La Grande and the surrounding area co-star in “Breakup Season,” making its homecoming debut on Friday, Oct. 18, at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival.

The movie starts at 7 p.m. in McKenzie Theater on the Eastern Oregon University campus. There will be a question-and-answer session following the screening with visiting filmmakers, cast and crew.

“Breakup Season” brought the magic of filmmaking to La Grande and its supportive community. This independent feature film, shot entirely in La Grande during the winter of 2023, was a labor of love. Writer and director H. Nelson Tracey, inspired by the area’s unique landscape, developed the screenplay through the Eastern Oregon Filmmaker Residency.

Local community members rallied behind the production, offering their time, resources, and enthusiasm. From providing locations for scenes to volunteering as extras, La Grande residents truly stepped up.

The Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Department helped connect the filmmakers with local resources. With approximately 35 people involved, many Oregonians, this collaborative effort turned La Grande into a cinematic backdrop.

“Breakup Season” had its world premiere at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, Utah, where it won Best Feature, Best Actress, Best Ensemble and the Audience Choice Award.

Starting in September, “Breakup Season” has been on its fall festival tour, with 26 screenings at 19 festivals in 16 states, which will culminate in December.

Starring Chandler Riggs and Samantha Isler, the story of “Breakup Season” revolves around a young man who brings his girlfriend to his rural hometown in Oregon to introduce her to his family.

What begins as a hopeful visit quickly spirals into chaos as unforeseen events unfold, testing their relationship and revealing hidden tensions within the family. The film explores themes of love, family dynamics and personal growth, all set against the picturesque backdrop of La Grande.

Tickets are $15 and are available on the Eastern Oregon Film Festival website, eofilmfest.com/breakup-season-movie.

Eastern OregonFilm Festival

The Eastern Oregon Film Festival is Oct. 17-19 in La Grande. Passes and tickets are available at eofilmfest.com. Here’s a look at the schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 17

7 p.m.: “Space: A Meditation on the Meaning of Art,” McKenzie Theater at EOU

9 p.m.: After party with Dave Storrs and Which Vibe? at HQ, 112 Depot St.

Friday, Oct. 18

11 a.m.: Student shorts, McKenzie Theater

Noon: Shorts Block B, Liberty Theater

1 p.m.: “The Green Flash,” McKenzie Theater

1:30 p.m.: Shorts Block A (comedy/drama), Liberty Theater

3 p.m.: Shorts Block C (weird/horror), Liberty Theater

4:15 p.m.: “Max Dagan,” McKenzie Theater

7 p.m.: “Breakup Season,” McKenzie Theater

9 p.m.: After party with Bag of Hammers, HQ

Saturday, Oct. 19

10 a.m.: Shorts Block B, Liberty Theater

10:30 a.m.: “The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane,” McKenzie Theater

Noon: Shorts Block A (comedy/drama), Liberty Theater

12:30 p.m.: “MAJI,” McKenzie Theater

2 p.m.: Shorts Block C (weird/horror), Liberty Theater

4 p.m.: “The Way We Speak,” McKenzie Theater

7:15 pm.: “Puddysticks,” McKenzie Theater

9 p.m.: After party with Lost Ox, HQ