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The Sunshine Dreamer

A young musician afflicted with a rare incurable disease finds treatment to extend life, but his country’s laws keep it out of reach as time runs out.

  • Shawn Rhodes
    Director
    Bender, This is Love, Little Satchmo
  • John Alexander
    Writer
    Bender, This is Love, Little Satchmo
  • Ryan Benton
    Writer
  • Blake Benton
    Producer
  • JC Guest
    Producer
    Bender, This is Love, Little Satchmo
  • Christa Rude Vazeos
    Producer
  • Brady Haag
    Producer
  • Mel Gibson
    Key Cast
    Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge
  • Joe Rogan
    Key Cast
    News Radio, Fear Factor
  • George Kittle
    Key Cast
    Offseason, WrestleMania 39
  • Dr. Neil Riordan
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Music, Humanity, Medical, Inspirational, Inclusivity, Disability, Controversial, Advocacy, Medical Issues
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 19 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    205,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, Australia, Hungary, Ireland, United States
  • Language:
    English, Hungarian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Tallgrass Film Festival - Audience Award
    Wichita, KS
    United States
    October 25, 2024
    North American Premiere
    Audience Award Winner - Feature Documentary
  • Rome Independent Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    November 16, 2024
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Kansas City Film Festival - Audience Award
    Kansas City
    United States
    March 29, 2025
    Audience Choice Best Documentary Feature
  • Belgrade Film Festival
    Belgrade
    Serbia
    March 28, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Shawn Rhodes

Shawn Rhodes has produced and directed almost 400 television episodes and over 6,000 commercials, worked for Stewart Copeland, Mick Fleetwood, Tommy Chong, Ozzy Osborne, ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports, and filmed in over 20 countries. His TV show HEAVY PORK was on FOX for 17 years, was nominated for 6 Billboard Music Video Awards, and won one. His film THIS IS LOVE won over 15 International Film Festival awards and screened in 50 festivals. LITTLE SATCHMO won an Emmy for Best Historical Documentary in 2023. Shawn’s directorial debut, THE SUNSHINE DREAMER, had its World Premiere in October of 2024 and so far has had four Film Festival screenings, earning two Audience Choice Awards.

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