Sunny Dancer is a coming-of-age comedy–drama directed and written by George Jaques. The film stars Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, James Norton, Jessica Gunning, and Conrad Khan.
The story follows a teenage girl recovering from leukemia who is sent to a summer camp for young cancer survivors. What begins as a difficult summer slowly turns into a life-changing adventure filled with friendship, fun, and self-discovery. Here’s everything you need to know about the filming locations and behind-the-scenes details of this emotional 2026 movie.
The story centers on 17-year-old Ivy, who is recovering from cancer. Her parents send her to a summer camp for young cancer survivors, where she meets a group of unique friends. During the summer, Ivy experiences friendship, first love, adventure, and personal growth.
The movie is scheduled to release on August 14, 2026 in Ireland. The film was produced by Athenaeum Productions, 27 Ten Productions, and Night Train Media.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Sunny Dancer Filmed?
| Film Name | Sunny Dancer |
|---|---|
| Genres | Comedy, Drama, Coming-of-Age |
| Filming Locations | Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Filming Dates | Began in April 2025 |
| Cinematography by | Oliver Loncraine |
| Release Date | August 14, 2026 |
Most of Sunny Dancer was filmed in beautiful outdoor locations across Scotland. The filmmakers mainly used real summer camp locations and natural landscapes instead of studio sets. Principal photography began in April 2025 and continued through spring and early summer to capture the bright greenery and warm outdoor atmosphere seen in the movie.
Auchengillan Outdoor Centre — Blanefield, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland
The main filming location for Sunny Dancer was the Auchengillan Outdoor Centre near Blanefield in Scotland. This real-life outdoor activity center became the heart of the movie’s summer camp setting. Many important scenes involving campfire gatherings, canoeing, hiking, climbing, and friendship moments were filmed here.
The filmmakers selected this location because of its peaceful forests, wide-open outdoor spaces, and natural camp environment. The 120-acre estate gave the movie an authentic feel that perfectly matched Ivy’s emotional journey throughout the story.
The center is located close to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, which also helped create the film’s beautiful outdoor visuals.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park — Scotland
Many outdoor scenes in Sunny Dancer were filmed inside the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The area is famous for its mountains, forests, rivers, and scenic lakes.
The production team used the park’s breathtaking landscapes to create the movie’s calm and adventurous atmosphere. Several emotional scenes featuring Ivy and her friends exploring nature were filmed around the park’s woodland trails and near the peaceful waters of Loch Lomond.
The filmmakers wanted viewers to feel connected to nature, and this Scottish national park provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s heartfelt story.
Carbeth and Blanefield Area — East Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Additional scenes from Sunny Dancer were filmed around the rural areas of Carbeth and Blanefield in East Dunbartonshire. These quiet countryside locations added extra forest landscapes and rolling hills to the film.
The filmmakers chose these areas because they helped create a relaxing and adventurous summer feeling. Several transition scenes and outdoor walking moments were captured here to show the campers enjoying their time away from everyday life.
The natural beauty of these real Scottish locations helped make the movie feel more realistic and emotionally warm.
Sunny Dancer Behind the Scenes
To make the filming experience feel real and emotional, the cast and crew spent a large amount of time filming outdoors in actual camp environments. Since the movie focuses heavily on friendship and outdoor adventure, using real locations helped the actors connect naturally with their surroundings.
Bella Ramsey, James Norton, Jessica Gunning, and Neil Patrick Harris were often seen filming activity scenes around the camp and nearby forests. The production also used Scotland’s long daylight hours during spring and summer to capture the movie’s bright and uplifting visual style.
The stars and filmmakers also shared behind-the-scenes glimpses and updates on Instagram:
For more updates about additional filming spots and behind-the-scenes moments, stay tuned.
Is There Any Trailer Available for Sunny Dancer?
Yes, the official trailer for Sunny Dancer has already been released. The trailer gives fans a first look at Ivy’s emotional summer journey, the camp setting, and the beautiful Scottish filming locations.
Sunny Dancer is set to be released on August 14, 2026, via True Brit Entertainment.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Sunny Dancer filmed?
A1: Sunny Dancer was mainly filmed in Scotland, especially at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre near Blanefield and around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Q2: What scenes were filmed at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre in Sunny Dancer?
A2: Camp activities such as canoeing, climbing, hiking, campfire gatherings, and friendship scenes were filmed at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre.
Q3: When did filming for Sunny Dancer begin?
A3: Filming for Sunny Dancer officially began in April 2025.
Q4: Can fans visit the Sunny Dancer filming locations?
A4: Yes, many filming locations used in Sunny Dancer, including Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and the surrounding Blanefield area, can be visited by the public.
Q5: Who stars in Sunny Dancer?
A5: Sunny Dancer stars Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, James Norton, Jessica Gunning, Conrad Khan, and Ruby Stokes.
The filming locations of Sunny Dancer play an important role in bringing the movie’s emotional and adventurous story to life. From the real summer camp at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre to the breathtaking landscapes of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scotland provided the perfect setting for this heartfelt coming-of-age film.
The natural beauty, peaceful forests, and outdoor adventure scenes help make Sunny Dancer one of the most visually warm and inspiring movies of 2026.
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