Sunshine City Film Festival - 2026
Runner was selected to be a part of Sunshine City Film Festival's 10th Anniversary in the beginning of 2026. Originally the whole team, with our leading lady, were going to drive down. However half of the group didn't make it because of car trouble. The three of us who did make it were honored to be a part of the festival and for Runner to win Best Indie Film.
Cranstan Cumberbatch @amazncran was the festival head and created an amazing schedule for all of us. There was an awards gala at the Dali Museum, a tour with the St. Petersburg film commissioner (touring the picturesque locations of St Petes FL (on the only day it rained in the "Sunshine city"), networking time at the FloridaRAMA, and a mixer at the St. Pete Athletic Club. We took full advantage of all the networking events they provided. We talked with other filmmakers who were there and met many of the volunteers working the festival who were also in the industry and had so much information to share.
The festival was a pleasure to attend and we hope that we can be a part of it again as we continue making more films and submitting to festivals in the future.
Director Leo, Writer Michael, and Cinematographer Molly begin their road trip down from IL to FL.
Stopped to enjoy the warmer weather a scenery in FL before getting to our lodgings for the weekend.
We had a lovely evening at the Awards Gala for the Ladies in Film and Entertainment. The Dali Museum was great to see and the showroom we were in showcased student talents. The program even included Saxophone music by Ken Googlsby.
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!!!!!