Sunny Dancer
British comedy drama film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunny Dancer is a 2026 British comedy film from George Jaques and starring Bella Ramsey, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ruby Stokes, Earl Cave, Jasmine Elcock, Conrad Khan, Jessica Gunning, James Norton and Neil Patrick Harris.
- Ken Petrie
- George Jaques
| Sunny Dancer | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Jaques |
| Screenplay by | George Jaques |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Oliver Loncraine |
| Edited by | Caitlin Spiller |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Embankment Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The film had its world premiere as the opening night film of the Generation 14plus section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Crystal Bear.
Premise
As if conquering cancer wasn't hard enough, 17-year-old Ivy's parents sign her up to spend her summer at what she calls "chemo camp", where she manages to find unexpected friends in a group of misfits and has a summer she'll never forget.
Cast
- Bella Ramsey as Ivy
- Daniel Quinn-Toye as Jake
- Ruby Stokes as Ella
- Earl Cave as Ralph
- Jasmine Elcock as Maisie
- Conrad Khan as Archie
- Jessica Gunning as Karen, Ivy's Mum
- James Norton as Bob, Ivy's Dad
- Neil Patrick Harris as Patrick
- Louis Gaunt as Tristan
- Josie Walker as Brenda
- James Blunt as himself
Production
Ken Petrie is producing the film under his 27 Ten banner alongside George Jaques and his production company, Athenaeum Productions.[1] Jaques wrote the script with Ruby Stokes in mind for the cast. He has said that despite the main characters being in cancer remission there is "not a single hospital scene" and that he "wanted to make a film where cancer was the least interesting thing about them. They have these skills, this whole life, because they are still teenagers".[2]
Alongside Stokes, Bella Ramsey was cast in 2024.[3] James Norton, Neil Patrick Harris and Jessica Gunning joined the cast in February 2025.[4] Este Haim of Haim and Zachary Dawes provided the musical score.[5]
Principal photography began in April 2025[6][7] at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre near Loch Lomond, Scotland.[8]
Release
The film premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February 2026.[9][10] True Brit Entertainment releases Sunny Dancer in the UK in the summer of 2026, with other territories to be announced after Berlin.[11]
Reception
Berlinale director, Tricia Tuttle, calls this film "a hidden gem."[12] IndieWire named it one of the "12 films we’re excited about heading into the 76th Berlinale".[13]
Critical response
Ben Rolph of Next Best Picture said it's "a film about joy, which Jaques translates effortlessly to the screen" and Ramsey "once again proving what a talent she is...nails both the humour and the emotion."[14] Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter said it was "a decidedly uneven but fitfully charming".[15] Nikki Baughan of ScreenDaily said the film "wraps its heavy themes in a peppy, accessible package".[16] Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian says "the film has buoyancy and sunshine" and the Jaques "executes a smart misdirection-twist."[17] Alex Billington of FirstShowing.net says this film was "so fresh and vivid and entertaining. Joyful cinema."[18] Serena Seghedoni of Loud and Clear Reviews says Ramsey "really excels at letting Ivy’s pain out at exactly the right time" and "there are some highly affecting moments that will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll" --- it's "the ‘chemo camp’ coming-of-age movie you didn’t know you needed."[19] Christian Zilko of IndieWire says Jaques "made a bleak subgenre of cinema a little bit sunnier."[20]