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Reality TV Vet Turned Director on WORLD PREMIERE of Summer’s Most Addictive Thriller

KillingMarySue

Audiences will get an early glimpse of KILLING MARY SUE at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase at the L.A. Film Fest, running from May 14–25, 2025. Hosted primarily at Regal Stadium Cinemas 14 / L.A. LIVE, the festival features two incredible weeks of independent film screenings, special events, and parties. Tickets for screenings and events are available now through Eventbrite, and the full festival guide can be found at www.IFSfilm.com.

Killing Mary Sue has been nominated for Best Picture for IFS and both Sierra McCormick and Dermot Mulroney have won their respective Best Actor/Best Actress categories on behalf of their work in the film. He’s a true actor’s filmmaker and really gets the best performances out of his cast and crew!

The film, set for release in June 2025 via Samuel Goldwyn Films, follows a corrupt senator who plots to eliminate his erratic, burnout stepdaughter—eliminating her from his career, and creating true sympathy for his tragic loss. However, the plan backfires and she discovers her untouchable talent for assassination. Packed with dark humor, absurdist twists, and a wildly fun ensemble, the film positions Sunshine as an indie filmmaker to watch.

After graduating valedictorian from film school and landing in L.A. with no job, no car, and an overdrawn bank account, James built his career from the ground up—first in reality TV as a longtime story producer for hit shows like Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen, and then in indie film, where he wrote, directed, and edited his debut Coronavirus Conspiracy during the height of the 2020 lockdowns. Distributed by Lionsgate, the satire became the first union-approved independent film shot in L.A. post-lockdown.

Sunshine brings the same storytelling savvy to everything he touches—whether it’s sifting through reality TV chaos to find the emotional arc or crafting richly layered roles for actors in award-winning shorts like Adolf Silverstein and Curiosity. 

With Killing Mary Sue on the horizon and a decade of behind-the-scenes experience finally paying off, James Sunshine is hitting his stride—and showing Hollywood that smart, inventive, and emotionally resonant storytelling can be done on a shoestring budget. He’s available for interviews, commentary on indie filmmaking, and features on directors breaking out in 2025.

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