Dancing on the Elephant
by Julia Neill, Jacob Smith
Synopsis | Cast & Crew | Technical Information
When Nora’s son drops her off at Shady Rest Retirement Home, she’s pretty sure there's not much left to hope for. That is, until unfiltered firecracker Edna wheels into her life and reminds her it ain’t over till it’s over.
The pair kindle a friendship around a love of Fat Archies cookies, disdain for “Chair-xercise,” and Edna’s quest to escape the “fox farm.” Edna’s failing memory eventually lands her in the secure memory care wing, leaving Nora to plot one last grand adventure in hopes of reminding her friend there are still elephants left to dance on.
Awards & Festivals
Outstanding Performance (Mary Walsh) - Atlantic International Film Festival 2025
Best Editor (Angela Baker) - Atlantic International Film Festival 2025
Special Jury Award - WorldFest Houston International Film Festival 2026
Best Supporting Actress Award Nomination (Amanda Brugel) - WorldFest Houston International Film Festival 2026
Audience Choice Award Runner Up (Best Canadian Fiction Feature) - Available Light Film Festival
Cast
Sheila McCarthy
Mary Walsh
Amanda Brugel
Director Bio
JULIA NEILL
is an award-winning director with a wide range of film credits to her name, including UNION (Official Selection, 2021 Slamdance Film Festival). Julia has been a longtime editor and post-producer for clients including Discovery, PBS, and Smithsonian.
JACOB SMITH
is an award-winning film maker, former mayor, and former U.S. Senate staffer. His films include CHASING RABBITS and WAKING THE SLEEPING GIANT: THE MAKING OF A POLITICAL REVOLUTION, which is currently in North American and international distribution.
Director Statement
Most everyone can relate to the challenges of helping our parents and grandparents as they age, or being those aging parents ourselves. There is a universality in recognizing that sadness, that care for our loved ones, and our own fears about aging and dying.
DANCING ON THE ELEPHANT is a chance to spend some time with two remarkable women navigating the sometimes hysterical and sometimes heartbreaking process of aging. It's about looking forward without fear, while looking back and making peace with the life you’ve lived. It's time to give older women the lead roles. It's time to highlight their stories and to show how beautiful and complex their lives are.
Cast Bio
SHEILA McCARTHY
Decades after establishing herself as one of Canada’s great actresses, Sheila McCarthy is having a long-earned international moment with her riveting performance in Sarah Polley’s WOMEN TALKING.
Other recent film credits include starring roles in HAPPY PLACE and ANYTHING FOR JACKSON. Sheila won the People’s Choice Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in the film I'VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING.
MARY WALSH
Mary Walsh created and starred in THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, CBC’s wildly popular take on current affairs. The series earned her many of her numerous Gemini awards and showcased her dynamic range of characters. Walsh’s recent TV credits include recurring roles on RESIDENT ALIEN and HUDSON & REX. Select feature film credits include THE GRAND SEDUCTION, CLOSET MONSTER and MAMBO ITALIANO.
AMANDA BRUGEL
Amanda Brugel is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and respected actors, known internationally for her diverse and award-winning TV roles in THE HANDMAID'S TALE, DARK MATTER and recently in Apple TV+’s MURDERBOT.
She appeared in Brandon Cronenberg’s INFINITY POOL opposite Alexander Skarsgård, and thriller BALLISTIC alongside Lena Headey.
Crew
Kevin A. Fraser
(Director of Photography)
Aspect Ratio:
1,85:1
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1
Color
Photo Gallery
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