Breathing Happy

Breathing Happy is a 2022 American drama film written and directed by Shane Brady in his feature directorial debut.

Premise
Dylan is a recovering drug addict about to celebrate his first year of sobriety on Christmas.

Cast

 * Shane Brady
 * John D'Aquino
 * Augie Duke
 * June Carryl
 * Phil Esposito
 * Katelyn Nacon
 * Jim O'Heir
 * Aaron Moorhead
 * Justin Benson
 * Sarah Bolger
 * Owen Atlas
 * Sarah Noelle Eastep

Production
The drama film Breathing Happy was announced on April 16, 2021, when filming began around Tampa, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, principal photography was moved from L.A. to Florida, where filming took place mainly in the childhood house of writer and director Shane Brady, located in Palm Harbor, Florida. As a result, various locations in the screenplay were removed and the script was rewritten to model the house.

In creating the film, Brady said that he "didn't want to tell a literal story of addiction, with a logical, linear flow because when it comes to drugs, nothing makes sense." He also described his time as a magician, and how it helped him "tell this story in a way no one else could", and explained that the film was his "artistic interpretation of my family's struggles with addiction" as a "jumbled popcorn machine of emotions and points of view hopefully bringing about healing for other families struggling with addiction."

During post-production, the film score was composed by Christopher Dudley from the American rock band Underoath.

Release
The film was set to premiere at the Chattanooga Film Festival in June 2022.