Sunny Dancer
Director and Writer: George Jaques
Cast: James Norton, Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Jessica Gunning, Ruby Stokes
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Runtime: 104 mins
Rating: 15A
Sunny Dancer follows a 17-year-old named Ivy (Bella Ramsey, Game of Thrones and The Last of Us), who after beating cancer, is sent by her well-intentioned parents to a summer camp for kids affected by cancer, where she has a hard time adjusting to the rules.
The film is a must-watch by rising directorial talent George Jaques (Black Dog). Sunny Dancer has already earned the Emden Film Award for Best Film as well as the Wolfgang Peterson Prize for Best Film along with more nominations.
Perseverance and friendship at the film’s centre
Hanging out with mates, partying hard, losing your virginity… That’s how most teenage girls spend their last summer before turning 18.
But not Ivy.
Her lovingly overbearing parents have other plans: four weeks at Children Run Free Camp for young adults affected by cancer. The promo trailer? Sunsets, crossfades and everything iMovie can vomit up, exactly the type of thing that Ivy despises.
But ‘Chemo camp’ turns out to be more inspiring than expected. She meets like-minded misfits who just want to live life to the fullest – snorting prescription drugs, downing vodka, skinny dipping… and maybe even falling in love.
Sunny Dancer is a coming-of-age comedy-romance celebrating love, friendship and challenging adversity: feeling most alive whilst the world has other plans.
When and where to watch
When: The film opens in cinemas on 14 August 2026
Where: Sunny Dancer will be available to watch in Nu Metro and Ster Kinekor cinemas nationwide
