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.

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

Production

Sunny Dancer was written, directed, and produced by George Jaques

Ken Petrie produced the film under his 27 Ten banner alongside George Jaques and his production company, Athenaeum Productions. 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".

Alongside Stokes, Bella Ramsey was cast in 2024. James Norton, Neil Patrick Harris and Jessica Gunning joined the cast in February 2025. Este Haim of Haim and Zachary Dawes provided the musical score.

Principal photography began in April 2025 at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre near Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Release

The film premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February 2026. True Brit Entertainment releases Sunny Dancer in the UK in the summer of 2026, with other territories to be announced after Berlin. The film will release in the UK-Ireland on August 14, 2026. The Teenage Cancer Trust announced on their Instagram their partnership with the film.

Reception

Berlinale director, Tricia Tuttle, calls this film "a hidden gem." IndieWire named it one of the "12 films we're excited about heading into the 76th Berlinale".

Critical response

Ben Rolph of Next Best Picture called Sunny Dancer "a film about joy, which Jaques translates effortlessly to the screen". He praised Ramsey for "once again proving what a talent they really are ... nails both the humour and the emotion". Laura Della Corte of The Upcoming said Ramsey "delivers a phenomenal lead performance as Ivy, showcasing incredible range by seamlessly blending sharp humour with profound emotion." Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter said it was "decidedly uneven but fitfully charming". Nikki Baughan of Screen Daily said the film "wraps its heavy themes in a peppy, accessible package". Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian says "the film has buoyancy and sunshine" and the Jaques "executes a smart misdirection-twist." Alex Billington of FirstShowing.net called the film "so fresh and vivid and entertaining. Joyful cinema." Serena Seghedoni of Loud and Clear Reviews wrote that 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". Christian Zilko of IndieWire said Jaques "made a bleak subgenre of cinema a little bit sunnier."

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