ReadingFilmFEST 2026 – Celebrating Women’s Voices
Reading, PA (The Hollywood Times) 10/14/26 – Some films stay with you long after the credits roll, and Run Wild, the emotionally compelling 21-minute short film from writer and director Roxanna Lewis, is one that tackles difficult subject matter with courage, sensitivity, and heart.
Featured in the Celebrating Women’s Voices program at the 2026 ReadingFilmFEST, Run Wild takes audiences into the complicated world of childhood trauma, addiction, and the fragile relationship between a young daughter and her troubled father.
At the center of the story is eight-year-old Rayla, portrayed by Jophielle Love, whose weekend visit with her alcoholic father, Taz (Eric Palmer), takes a frightening turn in the desert. The film explores the painful contradiction of loving someone who is also capable of causing tremendous emotional harm.
Love brings an important vulnerability to the role, while Palmer’s portrayal of a deeply troubled father underscores the devastating consequences of addiction. The relationship between father and daughter is what gives this story its emotional weight.
Shot on Super 16mm, the film’s cinematography by Kate Ketcham adds a textured, intimate quality that complements its challenging subject matter. The desert setting becomes more than a backdrop, reflecting the isolation, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil surrounding the characters.
What makes Run Wild particularly meaningful is the deeply personal inspiration behind it. Lewis drew upon her own experiences growing up in a household affected by addiction, abuse, and mental health struggles. Her journey toward healing, including an extraordinary experience reconnecting with her estranged father near the end of his life, gives the film additional emotional significance.
Featuring a cast that also includes Lidiya Korotko, Jonny Walker, and Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers, Run Wild has received numerous festival honors, including Best American Short Film at the Love and Hope International Film Festival in Barcelona and Best Cinematography at the New Bedford Film Festival.
My takeaway: Run Wild is a moving reminder that childhood wounds can follow us into adulthood, but they need not determine who we become. Rather than offering easy answers about forgiveness, Lewis invites audiences to consider the complicated nature of family, the lasting impact of addiction, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s own story.
This is exactly the kind of personal, thought-provoking filmmaking that deserves a place in ReadingFilmFEST’s Celebrating Women’s Voices program.
Film: Run Wild
Writer/Director: Roxanna Lewis
Running Time: 20 minutes, 35 seconds
Festival: ReadingFilmFEST 2026
Website: www.runwildfilm.com
By Valerie Milano | The Hollywood Times
