Chicago Filmmakers Craft Cozy Christmas Rom-Coms

Filmmakers with roots at Columbia College have found success creating Christmas romantic comedies, with a dedicated studio that produces these seasonal films annually in the Chicago area. Their newest offering, "Exes of Christmas Past," is currently available for streaming, focusing on a protagonist who returns to her hometown to rediscover what's missing in her life.

The film's director, Jake Jarvi, a North Shore native, co-wrote the script with his wife, Eliza Toser. "Exes of Christmas Past" features scenes shot in a downtown Chicago Loop hotel and exteriors filmed in Libertyville, Illinois. The bed and breakfast from "Groundhog Day," known as the Cherry Tree Inn, located in Woodstock, Illinois, also served as a filming location.

Jarvi expressed his affection for the genre, noting its comforting and familiar formula. He highlighted the appeal of these films, which offer a slightly heightened yet cozy world where gentle conflict resolves with a happy ending. The production team's local ties ensure an authentic portrayal of a Northern Illinois Christmas on screen.