The Beginning

***Cherry Cola*** officially makes its world premiere on March 7th at 7:45 PM at the Short. Sweet. Film Fest. in Cleveland, Ohio in the *Drama and Horror film block.*
This film was born from small beginnings, finding its origin in a short film written by Andrew Dennis and Allison Felty called *Pop Rocks*. *Pop Rocks* contained themes dear to people’s hearts: nostalgia, freedom, complex characters, and cult classic vibes. After finishing *Pop Rocks*, Andrew and Allison knew deep down there was more to the stories and characters in this short film.

The Secret Ingredients & The Beginning

As time went on, themes from Pop Rocks kept circling back into conversations as Allison and Drew pursued other projects. The idea that was Pop Rocks kept bubbling to the surface until it began to take shape as Cherry Cola. Pop Rocks became gum and gum eventually became Cherry Cola.

**Pop Rocks 2023**

The First Mildred, the First Eddie. The beginning of *Cherry Cola*

For Dennis Films, Cherry Cola was their biggest film yet. Over the years, Andrew, Allison, and Matthew have found it challenging to balance their love for absurd humor, tragedy, depth, and nostalgia in their films. Cherry Cola is the first film where they felt like they were able to combine all of those elements into one film. After seeing the first cut, they believed they had made something special.

Writing Through Growth & Discovering Cherry Cola

So what makes Cherry Cola special? Dennis Films believes not only in providing entertainment, but telling stories that speak to the deepest parts of the human soul. Cherry Cola is the culmination of themes that have been slowly developing in the DNA of Dennis films since their early days as ICS Productions to their latest short films like I Am Super.

Over time, repeated themes kept evolving in their films. A central theme in Dennis Films is confronting the reality of suffering, how it shapes who we become, returning home, and reclaiming the child-like innocence many long to rediscover. Isn’t that what every great story is about, returning home? At the end of the day, that is what we are all searching for…. a place or person to call home.

Unbelievabowl told a story of finding strength in the midst of betryal. It also proved that Dennis Films could plan and film a fleshed out, heart-felt, impactful, and award-winning film on a limited budget. The team will always view UnbelievaBowl as their break through film. The film that ignited a spark within the team. Missing Pages was a story about finding what’s real in the ashes of grief, heartbreak and loss. Neuvita Inc. told a story of the importance of our memories and asked a profound question, “Is living a painless life and losing the memories that grieve us losing ourselves?” Cherry Cola combines all of the above themes and more. In the film, the characters face loss, trauma, and heart break and must choose to let the pain break them or make them.

Cherry Cola is special because it brings everyone home. Even if you’ve grown up in an abusive household like the characters in the film, deep down we all know what home should look like. Everyone can relate to suffering because we’ve all been through it and more importantly, we want to know our pain means something. The irony is, the beginning of our suffering is often the push we need to step out the door and go on an adventure. It comes uninvited, but the choice is our own concerning who we become and where we go.

As an uninvited guest, tragedy may be unwanted but can be the furnace that refines a person’s story and journey to who they are becoming. Cherry Cola speaks a message of empowerment, healing, and freedom for those who feel they are trapped, like they can never escape the pain of their past. It tells the viewer that the past is not the end to their story. The characters in the film did not choose their trauma, but they get to choose who they become. Pain doesn’t have to be anyone’s identity.

Life isn’t all so serious though right? While it can bubble with the fizz of turmoil, it can also have moments full of the satisfying cold “Ahhhhh” of carbon and the sweet kick of cherry and cola. Humor and a little bit of oddness can keep life interesting and help us hold on a second longer. Cherry Cola has dark, edgy undertones, but also has moments that make you cry, make you laugh, and everything in between. Overall, it has a tone of a nostalgic, cult classic vibes that keep you coming back again and again for sweet memories. Chances are, no matter who you are you will see a lot of yourself in this film and the potential of what could be if you keep moving forward. Sometimes, healing is more painful than the event that caused the pain.

Creating Cherry Cola

If the ideas for Cherry Cola have been rolling around in Andrew and Allison all this time, why now? The story needed to be real. Often times, you can’t take people where you haven’t first been. As the film came together, Andrew realized it had become more personal than he expected. The past several years, Andrew, Allison, and Matthew have had their fair share of grief, loss, and pain, as well as their own journeys for how to overcome those trials and figuring out how they would shape them.

As an indie film maker, Andrew became emotional realizing this was the biggest project Dennis Films had undertaken. The team gave this film their all, trying to balance work, family, responsibilities and making any spare time for film, showing that Dennis Films is a team that believes in its message, its stories, and future. Being an indie film maker can often come with being broke, having limited resources, and needing to depend a lot on others. For Andrew, it was overwhelming and encouraging to see so many friends, family, local businesses and communities in Knoxville and Maryville come together to support this film.

The film really was a “full circle” moment for the team. In a personal way, it felt like the break through and beginning of a culmination of every loss, heartbreak and win Andrew, Allison, and Matthew have been through. As Allison and Andrew dove into script writing, it was one of the first films that felt effortless in the writing process, as if the film had always been there but just needed the right stories and experiences to come together.

From a director’s perspective, Andrew saw Cherry Cola as a mix of the best of every era he’s been through to this point in filmmaking… from the awkward ICS middle school filming days, to the horribly cheesy Dennis Brothers videos, to this. Unbelievabowl, Missing Pages, & Neuvita Inc. were all break through films for Dennis Films. When the team watches these films, they can see themselves discovering their voice, but Cherry Cola is the film that helped Dennis Films find and establish its voice. Cherry Cola is the film that makes every past chapter and season of making films worth it. There is still a long journey ahead for the team, but if you’ve read this far you are witnessing the birth of something special and you get to be a part of that from the very beginning. Dennis Films is just getting started.

For Andrew, watching Allison and Matthew make the characters their own is every director’s dream. Allison really brought Mildred to life. Without giving too much away, Allison was able to make the role very personal because of how many times Mildred had to face her past, repeatedly struggle, but not let any of her pain define who she was. Isn’t that something everyone faces? Sometimes people need a character like Mildred on screen so they can see it’s possible to find yourself, reclaim the inner child, and return home. There is a lot of power and freedom in that. Allison crushed it, giving Mildred the edgy, loveable, cult classic touch this film needed. She made the character someone people cheer for; someone you want to win. Allison has always been an incredible teammate and cowriter with Drew, really helping make Dennis Films’ stories real, fun, memorable, and relatable.

After reading the script for Eddie, Matthew really connected with his story. As he dove into the character, Eddie morphed from being a support character to an integral part of Mildred’s character development and the completion of the story. Soon, Cherry Cola wasn’t just about Mildred’s story, but about two siblings who had to grow up too fast, learn how to depend on one another, and find healing together. Everyone longs to have someone in their corner and Eddie does that for Mildred. Eddie became a character people just wanted to reach through the screen and hug. He’s awkward, odd, timid, but real, loyal, and brave. Because of Matthew’s past struggles with internalized pain, he was able to channel that into Eddie’s own inner turmoil and help Eddie find his courage. For Andrew, it’s special to work with Matthew and Allison because in some form or fashion they have been involved in acting and making movies ever since they were little. Having his brother as a part of the team and his own journey ever since picking up his first camera as a little kid has been priceless.

The Team that Gave it the Flavor

Although Cherry Cola centers on Eddie and Mildred’s journey, the film would not exist in its current form without the remarkable team behind it, many of whom stepped onto a film set for the very first time.

The film features a talented group of young actors, including Alexander Zimmerman, Caroline Hill, and siblings Emmett and Harper Householder. Each brought such an amazing and unique energy to the film set.

Caroline Hill | Emmett & Harper Householder | Alexander Zimmerman

**Emmett & Harper Householder**

Emmett and Harper Householder portray Young Eddie and Young Mildred, grounding the story with warmth and authenticity. Beyond their performances, their presence brought a sense of joy and lightness to the set, reminding the entire crew of the heart at the center of the story. They carried a sweetness that echoed throughout production.

Caroline Hill plays Young Viv, delivering a performance that reflected emotional awareness well beyond her years. With prior acting experience, Caroline’s confidence and professionalism were just what we needed on set.

Alexander Zimmerman also appears in the film as part of the young cast, contributing to the world of Cherry Cola. Alexander’s fun and quirky personality helped bring the commercial of Cherry Cola to life. Alexander is also pretty good at baseball…..maybe.

Meghanne Dailey portrays Viv, Mildred’s childhood best friend. Meghanne such a powerful level of depth to this character. Meghanne expanded upon the original vision for the character in ways that felt instinctive and deeply human. Her performance added emotional weight that elevated the story, making it feel as though the role was written specifically for her.

Kathryn Paden plays Sarah Hoff, Eddie and Mildred’s mother. A longtime friend of Andrew Dennis with extensive theatre experience. Having her as part of this production was like a sentimental, full circle moment. She played a tough role, and we can’t wait to share more about what she has to say in the coming weeks with what this role meant to her, and for other mothers who have been in domestic abuse situations.

Jordan Phillips portrays Frank Hoff, the children’s father. While his on-screen presence is dark and unsettling, his off-screen demeanor created a safe and trusting environment for the young cast. Jordan worked on projects with Allison and Andrew many years ago and it was so cool to have him on another project with the team.

Drew and Alexander Zimmerman also contributed beyond performance, appearing on set and assisting behind the scenes. Drew played a key role in sound and production support throughout filming. Their continued involvement across multiple Dennis Films projects has helped bring so many of our stories to life.

Zach Johnston joined the project after connecting with the team during preparations for the 2025 Dennis Films premiere. Zach brought such a great level of energy & humor to his scene. There were lots of laughs on set and during the test screenings.

The team is honored to have Tonya Stoutt Brown return to this film set as a key role in helping the most complex parts of this story come together. Tonya has watched us all grow up and has supported Dennis Films on their best and worst days. Tonya’s talents stretch far beyond acting. You may have recognized her voice or have heard her on the radio. She is a huge part of the creative community in Knoxville and Maryville, Tennessee.

Tonya Stoutt Brown on set of *Cherry Cola*

The cast and crew of Cherry Cola came together and brought this quirky, powerful story to life. While this blog offers only a glimpse into the people behind the film, a future release will dive deeper into the individuals who helped bring Cherry Cola to life, saving some of the most meaningful stories for later.

A Film Held Together by People

Cherry Cola is here because people believed in it.

Fundraising has never come easy for Andrew and Allison. Asking for support required vulnerability. This time, however, the vision was clear, and the community responded. Dennis Films has successfully held two sold out premieres, with the debut premiere focused on raising funds for Cherry Cola. The support has continued well beyond the premieres.

Local businesses played a crucial role in bringing the film to life and we can’t wait to show them off in the film.

The Content, The Design, & More

The film’s visual identity was further shaped by hours of hand-drawn artwork by Sadie Dennis, whose vintage ’80s-inspired designs balance whimsy with darkness which became a core part of the film’s identity.

Sadie has always been a key part of the designs you see in Dennis Films. Her work isn’t just shining in Cherry Cola but you see it in the posters of UnbelievaBowl, Missing Pages, Pop Rocks, and more. Her work captures the essence of the storyline, and the heart behind it.

Sadie Dennis | Graphic Design artist for *Cherry Cola*

Behind the scenes, Abby Turbyfill consistently helped document the project through behind-the-scenes coverage and marketing shoots. On the first shoot day, Jennifer Householder of JenFin Photography captured imagery that helped establish Cherry Cola’s visual presence early on.

Post Production Magic

Some of the most emotional moments of connection with Cherry Cola happened during post-production. This phase was where the film started coming to life, and it was also one of the most demanding parts of the entire process.

Post-production on Cherry Cola required an enormous amount of work. From the beginning, there was a clear vision for the film’s look and feel. This project also marked the first time the entire film was completed solely in DaVinci Resolve Studio. Committing fully to the software pushed the process forward quickly, requiring rapid learning and problem-solving throughout the edit. What became possible through DaVinci Resolve went far beyond what had been achievable in Final Cut Pro X, shaping not only the film but the creative process moving forward.

Editing was only part of the work. Music and sound were essential in carrying the voice of the film. Music, in particular, became a central emotional element, helping guide how moments were felt and experienced. There were certain songs that felt necessary to the story, even when it was unclear whether they would be approved. After months of consistent communication, the team secured the rights to a song that remains intentionally unrevealed, waiting to be heard in the theatre and on the big screen.

The number of hours that went into editing and post-production was substantial, making this the most demanding post-production process undertaken so far. Every single minute and hour of this process brought this journey, and this family to the world premiere.

**What Cherry Cola Leaves Behind**

Cherry Cola represents a turning point for Dennis Films. It is strange, yet playful and heavier than it looks. The film reflects a shift, not just in scale, but in confidence, craft, and belief. It marks the moment where years of learning have finally come together, helping the team find their groove and their voice. Dennis Films has much farther to go before reaching the pinnacle, but this is only the beginning. We invite audiences to follow along with us on this journey as we unveil our wildest, weirdest, creepiest, sweetest film yet.

Come join Dennis Films and see the world premiere of Cherry Cola in Cleveland, Ohio at Atlas Cinemas on March 7th.

So what’s next for Dennis Films? It’s time to write the next story…

Cherry Cola: The World Premiere & The First Sip