Snake Alley Festival of Film - 2026
Runner was selected to be screened at Snake Alley in Burlington Iowa at the Capitol Theater. Our Cinematographer and Director went to this festival Only missing 2 blocks on Thursday.
The Festival was full of local Iowa filmmakers who all knew each other and collaborated on many projects together. It was nice to be invited into such a tight filmmaker community.
Our team had a great time watching movie, trying local spots for food, and taking advance of the after parties to network with the filmmakers who attended the festival.
Director Leo and Cinematographer Molly made it to Snake Alley in Burlington Iowa.
It was great to be in the Capitol Theater which was beautiful inside and out. Although by the end of 4 day (10hrs average each day) the historic seats had them eager to stand and stretch.
The Festival made each filmmaker feel welcome with a swag bag, poster and shirt to commemorate the festival. The program itself was very in depth, with a blurb about each film. Even if the filmmakers did not come to the festival the program gave enough information you could find them or their film outside the festival to network if you wanted.
Many talented women were showcased in the event models, actors, producers, business owners, reporters, and writers to name a few of the many careers these women had.
The event provided introductions for each woman showcasing their work over the years. The 2026 event honored
Diana Durango
Saundra Weathers
Tessla Elizabeth
Brianna Borrello
Jenna Jane
Hannak Hockman
Melissa Merritt
Andresia Moseley
and Jai Shanae
Most of the viewings were shown at the newly restored Beach theater.
We started our day nice and early with the Student block which opened the festival. We also watched the documentary black before being able to see the shorts block which Runner was in.
Of course in-between the blocks we took pictures with Cranstan Cumberbatch, the Festival Head. With the lack of crowds we took a few of us just for fun and got to take a tour of the theater with the owner.
Post Interviews after our screening we were honored to be included with many talented filmmakers and films.
Video was provided by Shawn Sharp @shawnsh4rp who we were fortunate enough to speak with after our screening. He is a talented actor and great interviewer. We continued talking with him and other volunteers and filmmakers on the film commissioners tour and mixers.
We cannot wait to be able to work with all the talented writers, directors, and actors we met and spoke with throughout the festival.
Shawn Sharp a Volunteer for the Festival interviewed Michael O'Malley at the mixer held at the St. Pete Athletic club. This video is in full and unedited so enjoy.
Shawn Sharp a Volunteer for the Festival interviewed Molly Torres at the mixer held at the St. Pete Athletic club. This video is in full and unedited so enjoy.
We met so many talented filmmakers and look forward to seeing more from them.
Jan Górecki @jgoreancki won best international film with his short Reporter which was amazing to see.
Abby Bryan @moonrei.films won best student film with her short "Running Out of my Mind"
Isaiah Francis @isaiahfrancistruth had two shorts shown La Premonicion, and the High Road. He is making more with a path to the oscars in the next few years.
Cranstan Cumberbatch and everything he does with DreamMakerz Productions. Botanical Shadows, The Forgotten Formula, Simi, Ethereal and more www.dreammakerzproductions.org
Leo Torres' exit interview after Runner won Best Indie Short. This video is unedited so enjoy.
Shawn Sharp a Volunteer for the Festival interviewed Molly Torres after Runner won Best Indie Short. This video is in full and unedited so enjoy.
It was surreal when we won as we were already happy to just be selected for the fest. We got one more picture with Cranstan and did our exit interviews on their red carpet.
We keep in touch with many of the artists we met over that weekend grateful for the new relationships we have. And the team have already received some scripts we are trying to push towards preproduction like our first rom com.
The team is also looking forward to either traveling back to St. Petes to work with the local actors and film commission there or see which actors we can bring to us to film the right project for them.
Thanks for a great time Sunshine City Film Festival!!!!!