Brett Haley

Brett Haley (born ) is an American filmmaker and actor best known for his work on The Hero and Hearts Beat Loud.

Early life Haley was born in Illinois and raised in Key West, Florida and Pensacola, Florida. Haley developed an interest in filmmaking from childhood, making films with a VHS camera from age 9, recalling, "From a young age, I was a storyteller. I just knew it was what I wanted to do". Haley credits his older brother, Joshua Ferris, for introducing him to movies like True Romance and Angel Heart. The New Year premiered at the Sarasota Film Festival in 2010 and won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film.

In 2015, he co-wrote, edited, and directed I'll See You in My Dreams. Marc Basch was his co-writer. and went on to win awards for Best Actress and Best Director at the Louisiana Film Festival. Additionally, Blythe Danner was nominated for the Best Actress Award at the Gotham Awards for her role. In an interview, Sam Elliott says he "jumped at the chance to play a romantic lead" in the film; "it's always been what's on the page for me," says Elliott. "I don't know how this kid came up with such a gem about 70-year-olds at 29, or whatever he was when he wrote it."

Haley and his co-writer, Marc Basch, wrote The Hero specifically for Sam Elliott, who starred alongside Danner in I'll See You in My Dreams. Haley describes The Hero as his love letter to Elliott, saying that "Sam is the best. He is a true collaborator and an incredible actor and human being. He is so passionate about his work and, in my mind, he is an icon." The Hero also stars Laura Prepon, Nick Offerman, Katharine Ross and Krysten Ritter, and premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. It was released in the U.S. by The Orchard in June 2017.

He co-wrote and directed the 2018 film Hearts Beat Loud. It premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and also played at the 2018 South By Southwest Film Festival. It was released in the US on June 8, 2018.

On July 20, 2020 it was announced that Haley would direct the Grease prequel Summer Lovin.

Filmography FilmShort film Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor2005 The Life and Death of Jimmy Katz Sprinkler 2006 Seconds 2007 More Abandon 2012 Night Out Three Feature film Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor 2010 The New Year 2015 I'll See You in My Dreams 2017 The Hero And Then I Go 2018 Hearts Beat Loud 2020 All the Bright Places All Together Now 2026 People We Meet on Vacation You Deserve Each Other Acting roles' Year Title Role 2003 The Company You Keep Nate 2007 Reservation Road Brett 2015 I'll See You in My Dreams Karaoke singer (uncredited)

Television Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Notes2014 Barmaids 5 episodes; Also creator No Limits 11 episodes 2019 Looking for Alaska Episode "I've Never Felt Before"