Finding Love in Wilmington: Erica Dunton’s indie gem kicks off the Summer Film Series at Jengo’s Playhouse

Wilmington, NC- Cucalorus is excited to open this year’s Summer Film Series at Jengo’s Playhouse with Find Love, a 2006 indie favorite from Wilmington-based writer/director Erica Dunton. The series launches on Friday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-screening social hour starting at 6:30 p.m. at Jengo’s Backyard Bar.Find Love was Dunton’s second feature film—a partly scripted, partly improvised exploration of two strangers who aren’t looking for love but find it unexpectedly. Set over the course of 24 hours, it offers an intimate, emotionally honest portrayal of the exhilarating moment when two lives collide. Starring Alexie Gilmore and Christian Camargo, the film unfolds with a raw, almost documentary-like realism that captures the vulnerability and intensity of new connection. Filmed entirely in Wilmington, locals will recognize several familiar backdrops throughout the film.Erica Dunton’s path to filmmaking began on the sets of Dune (1984)—David Lynch’s cult classic—where her father, acclaimed cinematographer and camera technician Joe Dunton, was behind the lens. Though she initially pursued a law degree, Erica soon returned to her creative roots, crediting her legal background with helping her navigate the world of independent filmmaking.A writer, director, and producer, Dunton has helmed six independent feature films, including Abigail Falls, To.Get.Her (which premiered at Sundance), The 27 Club, and Black Eyed Dog. Her work has earned numerous awards on the festival circuit, solidifying her reputation as a distinctive voice in indie cinema. She’s currently in pre-production on her next feature, Pretty Ugly—a tense crime thriller.Beyond the indie world, Dunton has directed 23 episodes of television, bringing her cinematic eye to series like HBO Max’s Julia, Amazon’s The Summer I Turned Pretty (filmed in Wilmington), and Apple TV+’s Bad Monkey. Her powerful direction on the Ted Lasso episode “Rainbow” earned her a DGA Award nomination.To explore the full Summer Film Series lineup and purchase tickets for Dunton’s Find Love, visit: jengos.eventive.org/schedule.###