Dancing on the Elephant

Dancing on the Elephant is a Canadian comedy-drama film, directed by Julia Neill and Jacob Z. Smith and slated for release in 2025.^[1] Adapted from the stage play by Lisa Hagen, the film stars Sheila McCarthy as Nora, a woman involuntarily placed in a retirement home by her family, who meets fellow retiree Edna (Mary Walsh) and sets out to reclaim control of her life by embarking on an adventure with her new friend.

Dancing on the Elephant
Film poster
Directed by	Julia Neill Jacob Z. Smith
Written by	Lisa Hagen
Produced by	Tanya Preyde Walter Forsyth
Starring	Sheila McCarthy Mary Walsh Amanda Brugel
Cinematography	Kevin A. Fraser
Edited by	Angela Baker
Music by	Mo Kenney
Production company	Gorgeous Mistake Productions
Release date	September 13, 2025 (2025-09-13) (AIFF)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	Canada
Language	English

The cast also includes Amanda Brugel as Barbara, a nurse at the retirement home, as well as Reid Price, Jordan Poole, Bob Mann, Laura Jones, Micha Cromwell, Sara Campbell, Kevin Kincaid, Lee J. Campbell, Murlane Carew, Shane Harbinson, Jeff Schwager, Alvena Poole, Sandi Rankaduwa and Patrick Cadegan in supporting roles.

The film was shot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in spring 2024.^[2]

The film is slated to premiere at the 2025 Atlantic International Film Festival.^[1]