Raising Sunshine is a documentary about co-parenting and bringing up an artist into and an unconventional way into the world.

It takes a village to raise a child. Come meet ours.

Sunshine Flora is five years old, but she has already lived a life full of adventure. From the taekwondo dojo to the runway, from gymnastics mats to acting sets, she is a force of nature. But the most unique part of Sunshine's life isn't what she does—it's how she is raised.

Raising Sunshine is a documentary that peels back the curtain on an uncommon household. It is a story about a modern "village": co-parents living and working together, supported by a tight-knit circle of family friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and educators.

Take a peek into Sunshine’s world, and learn about what it truly means for a child to grow up surrounded by love in all its forms.

The Story

In a world where the definition of "family" is constantly evolving, Raising Sunshine offers an intimate look at a co-parenting success story. This isn't just a film about a child; it's about the ecosystem that supports her.

We follow Sunshine as she navigates her formative years, guided by her parents, Alexsiya and Claudiu, who have chosen a path of collaboration and friendship to raise their daughter. You will see how we navigate the logistics, the joys, and the challenges of raising a high-energy, multi-talented child in a household defined by community rather than convention.

Meet The Star: Sunshine Flora

At just five years old, Sunshine is already breaking molds. She is not just a subject; she is a spark. The documentary captures her journey through:

Martial Arts: Learning discipline and focus in Karate.

The Arts: Expressing herself through acting, modeling, and dance.

Athletics: Building strength and confidence in gymnastics.

Education: Her interactions with her school and teachers who form the outer ring of her "village."

Through her eyes, we see how these experiences—and the supportive network behind them—shape a young girl's character.

Why This Film? Why Now?

We often hear the phrase "It takes a village," but we rarely see what that looks like in practice. Raising Sunshine is a testament to the power of community parenting. It explores themes of:

Modern Family Dynamics: destigmatizing co-parenting and showing it as a healthy, loving option.

Child Development: Observing how a "community-first" approach impacts a child's confidence and social skills.

Love & Resilience: Celebrating the bonds that hold us together.

We have chosen Warren Michael to direct this project as he is in the unique position to know our story since I have worked with him as a cinematographer and director. His outside perspective makes this project come together in a deeper way. Even though we started interviews for this project last fall, I have been filming ever since she was a baby, so we have 5 years of archival footage to pull from.