Sunny Dancer: Young Director Draws Stars to Cancer Camp Comedy

George Jaques, a 26-year-old filmmaker from the UK, has pulled together a strong cast for his upcoming comedy Sunny Dancer. The movie centers on 17-year-old Ivy, who heads to a summer camp for young people in cancer remission. There, she finds friends and lives out a summer full of parties and adventures. Production wrapped up after shooting in Scotland, and the film will premiere at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival.

Background

George Jaques started working on Sunny Dancer after his own family faced cancer. When he was 15, his mother got a stage three breast cancer diagnosis. She fought it for a long time and came through. That experience shaped the story, but Jaques wanted to steer clear of typical sad tales about illness.

He wrote the script thinking of actor Ruby Stokes for one key role. The film follows Ivy right after she beats cancer. Her parents send her to what she calls "chemo camp," run by a group called Children Run Free. At first, Ivy dreads it. She sees a cheesy promo video online with sunsets and soft music. But the camp turns into a place where she meets other teens ready to make the most of life.

Jaques set up his own company, Athenaeum Productions, to help make the movie. Producer Ken Petrie joined in through his 27 Ten banner. They started filming in Scotland in April 2025. The team finished principal photography that summer. Este Haim from the band Haim teamed up with Zachary Dawes for the music score.

The story draws from real feelings of young people who have beaten serious illness. These teens want normal summer fun: hanging out, drinking, swimming naked, and chasing romance. Jaques aimed to show their full lives, not just their health struggles.

Key Details

Sunny Dancer stars Bella Ramsey as Ivy, the lead. Ramsey joined the cast in 2024. Daniel Quinn-Toye plays Jake, Ruby Stokes is Ella, Earl Cave takes on Ralph, Jasmine Elcock is Maisie, and Conrad Khan plays Archie. Jessica Gunning acts as Ivy's mum, Karen. James Norton is her dad, Bob. Neil Patrick Harris appears as Patrick. Louis Gaunt plays Tristan, and Josie Walker is Brenda.

Casting and Production Timeline

Big names signed on over time. In February 2025, James Norton, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jessica Gunning came aboard. These actors bring experience from major shows and films. Ramsey is known from The Last of Us, while Norton starred in Happy Valley. Harris has a long list of TV and stage work. Gunning got notice from Baby Reindeer.

Jaques described the group as misfits who just want to have a good time. No hospital beds or doctor visits show up on screen. The camp setting lets the characters party hard and build bonds. Ivy loses her virginity, snorts drugs, downs vodka, and falls for someone. It's a mix of comedy, romance, and coming-of-age moments.

Production stayed in Scotland for most shots. The team captured summer camp vibes with lakes and woods. Jaques wrote with Stokes in mind from the start. He cast Ramsey early to anchor the story.

"I 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." – George Jaques

The Berlinale picked Sunny Dancer for its 2026 lineup. Festival director Tricia Tuttle called it a hidden gem. Outlets like IndieWire listed it among top films to watch there.

What This Means

Sunny Dancer stands out in a field of serious cancer stories. Most films treat the topic with heavy drama or tears. This one flips that by focusing on joy and rebellion. Teens in remission often feel sidelined, treated like patients forever. The movie shows them as full people with wants and wild sides.

For Jaques, at just 26, landing these stars marks a big step. He went from writing scripts to directing a festival entry with known actors. It proves young voices can tell tough stories in fresh ways. The Berlin premiere could open doors for wider release.

The cast mix brings different fans. Ramsey draws younger viewers, Harris and Norton pull in broader crowds. Music by Haim adds indie appeal. If it plays well at Berlinale, distributors might grab it for theaters or streaming.

This project highlights summer camps like Children Run Free. These real places help young cancer survivors connect and heal through fun. Sunny Dancer spotlights that without preaching. It could spark talk about how media shows illness and youth.

Jaques based parts on his mum's fight, but kept it light. Her survival let him explore what comes after treatment. Other families might see their stories here. The film reminds people that life goes on strong after hard times.

With shooting done and buzz building, Sunny Dancer heads to Berlin ready to surprise. It mixes laughs with real heart, all from a director barely out of his teens himself.