Meet-cutes & Breakups

Lily follows the trail of what went right and wrong through the endings and beginnings of her romantic relationships.

  • Kelli Neal
    Director
    I'm A Girl
  • Kelli Neal
    Writer
  • Kelli Neal
    Producer
  • Sarah Sellers
    Producer
  • Kelsey Brown
    Key Cast
    "Lily"
  • Angelo Kern
    Key Cast
    "Kane"
  • Reid Schimdt
    Key Cast
    "Miles"
  • Madison Cowmeadow
    Key Cast
    "Kaya"
  • Ross Hutter
    Key Cast
    "Scott"
  • Zach Cantwell
    Cinematography
  • Alec Mueller
    Color
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Romantic Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 10, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Kelli Neal

Kelli Neal is an award winning independent filmmaker based in Los Angeles. While growing up near Flint, Michigan, Kelli became involved in her community theater program, where she fell in love with telling stories. In January of 2022, she moved out to California to study film at the L.A. Film Studies Center and directed the student film ‘I’m A Girl.’ This short drama was accepted into six festivals and won five awards, including Best Family Drama and Best First Time Director.

Upon graduation, Kelli remained in L.A. to write and direct the short romantic comedy film ‘Meet-cutes & Breakups.’ In addition to this independent project, Kelli has worked as a producer and crew member on several shorts since moving to California. Kelli is passionate about giving a voice to women in film. Her goal is to direct feature films with dynamic female protagonists.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I wrote this short film after reading a post by my favorite Romantic Comedy Author, Emily Henry, that reads, "I love making books that engage with the terrifying and often humiliating act of hoping!" The romantic in me has always gravitated toward this genre, though not primary because of the gushy, blushing, warm feelings it evokes. In fact, I often find rom-coms to be the biggest perpetrator of second hand embarrassment that I voluntarily subject myself to.

Meet-cutes is about a woman named Lily, and each person she dates deposits their baggage onto her, which she carries with her into the next relationship. I am compelled by films that make you feel understood, but not always about the grand, heartbreaking, or devastating parts of life, rather seen in the subtle, unremarkable “everyday” moments. Though it’s not heroic or particularly brave, I like that Lily continues hoping to find the love she is looking for, so she keeps on trying.