Stolen Birthday (2026)
On his birthday, Ronnie, a lonely middle-aged man, sits in a small diner having dinner with his mother, Julie. For Ronnie, the moment feels warm and real. They talk, laugh, and share the kind of comfort that only comes from being with someone who knows you deeply. As the night continues, small details begin to feel off. The people around Ronnie react to him with confusion, and it slowly becomes clear that Julie is not actually sitting across from him. The birthday dinner exists only in Ronnie's mind. In reality, he is homeless, alone, and struggling with his mental health. When the illusion begins to fall apart, Ronnie is forced back into the world he has been trying to escape. What felt like a simple birthday dinner becomes a heartbreaking look at grief, loneliness, and the ways people create their own sense of comfort when reality becomes too painful.
Director: Noah Bennish
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Diana M. Collins as Mother |
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John Lewandowski as Manager |
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Lexus Castano as Waitress |
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Aaron Brandon Brown as Son |
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Joshua Rich as Diner Customer |
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Vivia Bright as Diner Customer |
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Gretchen Wirges as Diner Customer |
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Shereba Rich as Diner Customer |
| Production | Yehonathan Kleinerman | Producer |
| Camera | Andrius Hahn | Director of Photography |
| Directing | Mayra Moon | Assistant Director |
| Costume & Make-Up | Maria Morales-Pappas | Makeup Artist |
| Editing | Bernard Adamczyk | Editor |
| Camera | Angelo Galindo | Second Assistant Camera |
| Camera | Dave Judd | First Assistant Camera |
| Camera | Tyler Kellock | Grip |
| Lighting | Kalin Steen | Gaffer |
| Production | Sarah Aboudi | Production Assistant |
| Production | Jack Deno Copeland | Production Assistant |
| Production | Matthew De Souza | Production Assistant |
| Production | Asher Rosoff | Production Assistant |
| Production | Samantha Leib | Production Assistant |
| Art | Drew Mason | Production Design |
| Sound | Yotam De Koning | Music Director |
| Writing | Noah Bennish | Writer |
| Directing | Noah Bennish | Director |
