Some stories stay with you long after the screen fades to black. Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story is one of them.
But where was the movie filmed? The answer may surprise viewers.
The production traveled far from some of the places audiences might expect.
Here is everything we know about the filming locations of Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story.
About Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story
Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story is a Lifetime drama inspired by Roxane Gay’s acclaimed memoir, Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body.
The film follows Roxane’s difficult journey after a devastating childhood experience changes her life forever. Here is a quick look at the key production details:
| Title | Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story |
| Genre | Drama |
| Director | Asia Youngman |
| Writer | Roxane Gay |
| Based on | Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay |
| Lead Cast | Sunnii E. Bartee |
| Production Type | Lifetime Original Movie |
| Runtime | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Release Date | September 5, 2026 |
| Producers | To be confirmed through official production credits |
The film brings a deeply personal story to television.
Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story Filming Locations
Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story was filmed entirely in British Columbia, Canada.
The main filming location was Kelowna, a city located in British Columbia’s scenic Okanagan Valley.
Principal photography reportedly began in July 2025. Filming wrapped in early August 2025 after approximately 40 days of production.
The movie was reportedly filmed under the working title Hunger, which reflects the source material behind the story.
The production transformed several parts of Kelowna to create the world seen in the Lifetime movie.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Kelowna served as the main filming location for Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story.
The city is located on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. It is surrounded by mountains, vineyards, residential neighborhoods, and open landscapes.
These varied surroundings make Kelowna a useful filming destination.
For this production, the crew reportedly used residential areas to represent the suburban community where young Roxane and her family move.
Several real properties were also used for important interior scenes.
The production reportedly filmed exterior sequences in parts of downtown Kelowna as well. Some storefronts and local businesses were reportedly modified for the movie.
This allowed the filmmakers to create a setting that supported the story without building every location from scratch.
Why Kelowna was a good choice for the film?
Kelowna can easily double for different North American locations.
The city offers quiet residential streets. It also has modern urban areas and scenic natural surroundings that makes it a perfect shoot location. Kelowna’s neighborhoods could help create that familiar atmosphere as the movie demands.
The contrast becomes more powerful as the story explores Roxane Gay’s traumatic experiences and lifelong journey toward healing.
A 40-Day Shoot in Kelowna
Director Asia Youngman reportedly spent around 40 days filming the project in Kelowna.
The production wrapped in August 2025.
Youngman later shared her appreciation for the cast, crew, friends, and family members who supported her during the shoot.
A 40-day schedule is a significant production period for a movie.
It suggests that the filmmakers spent considerable time working across different locations to capture the emotional details of the story.
Other movies and TV shows filmed in Kelowna
Kelowna has become a familiar destination for film and television productions.
Its combination of urban areas, residential neighborhoods, lakes, and mountains gives filmmakers plenty of visual options.
Several other productions have also used Kelowna as a filming location.
| Production | Genre |
|---|---|
| Killing for Extra Credit | Thriller |
| The Christmas Cup | Drama |
| Sweet Holiday Romance | Romance |
| Christmas at the Chalet | Drama |
| Our Holiday story | Comedy |
The region has also benefited from British Columbia’s larger film industry.
Vancouver may be the province’s best-known production hub, but cities like Kelowna offer filmmakers a different look and more flexibility.
Is Kelowna a popular filming location?
Yes. Kelowna is quite popular among filmmakers.
A production can find modern streets, suburban homes, waterfront views, vineyards, and mountain scenery within the same region.
This can help reduce travel costs during production.
Kelowna is also part of British Columbia’s active film industry.
The province has long been one of Canada’s most important production centers.
What is the movie about?
Inspired by Roxane Gay’s memoir Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body, Surviving the Silence follows the story Roxane as her life changes after a devastating act of sexual violence during her childhood.
The experience leaves a lasting impact. As she grows older, Roxane has to deal with trauma.
The story explores how food becomes part of her survival process. It also follows her journey toward understanding herself and reclaiming her voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story filmed?
Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story was filmed in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The production also used nearby areas in the region.
When was Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story filmed?
Principal photography reportedly took place between July and early August 2025.
How long did filming last?
The production reportedly lasted around 40 days.
Who directed Surviving the Silence: The Roxane Gay Story?
The Lifetime movie was directed by Asia Youngman.
What is the movie based on?
The movie is inspired by Roxane Gay’s memoir Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body.
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