Indie drama All Day Happy Dance casts Bruce Dern, Scottie Thompson and Nick Stahl

Bruce Dern, Scottie Thompson, and Nick Stahl have officially joined the cast of All Day Happy Dance, a new coming-of-age drama from director John Francis Sullivan.

The indie feature, which is currently in production, centers on family, adolescence, and self-discovery during one pivotal summer. Dern portrays “Gramps,” a steadfast patriarch, while Thompson plays his daughter Shay, a single mother facing the challenges of raising twin sons. Stahl appears in a key supporting role.

The story follows Shay as she navigates the ADHD diagnosis of one of her identical twins. When the diagnosed child shares his medication with his brother in an effort to feel understood, the two embark on a summer filled with waterparks, first crushes, and lessons in identity. Newcomers Atticus and Finneas North portray the twins, marking their feature film debuts.

Additional cast members include Blake Lindsley (Reacher, NCIS), Kate Spare (Trust, Punching Henry), and Will River Mossek (Our Hero Balthasar). Jasper John Weinberg and Elisabeth Fitzgerald also make their first on-screen appearances in the film.

All Day Happy Dance is produced by Buffy Andrade Castillo’s b.light productions, alongside Tammy Apana, John “JD” Drury, Martin Palafox, Thompson, and Sullivan. Eve Pomerance of CSA serves as both casting director and producer.

With themes of family resilience and the complexities of growing up, Sullivan’s film aims to blend heartfelt storytelling with a nostalgic summer setting. No release date has yet been announced, but the film is expected to make the rounds on the indie festival circuit once production wraps.