Actress Kate Walsh, celebrated for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Emily in Paris, has joined Oscar-qualified live-action short film The Runt as an executive producer, revealed Deadline in its exclusive report. The project, written, directed, and produced by Emmy-nominated TV veteran Christy Stratton, marks a reunion for Walsh and Stratton, who previously collaborated on the Emmy-nominated web series Everyone’s Crazy But Us.
Walsh’s involvement adds to a growing list of high-profile executive producers supporting Oscar-qualified short films. Brendan Gleeson recently boarded The Boat, while Sharon Horgan signed on for Calf.
Set in 1979, The Runt tells the story of 12-year-old Janet Bauer, who eagerly anticipates Friday nights at the Moonlight Rollerway. But as the last Friday before junior high approaches, Janet learns she’s been chosen by the 8th-grade girls as the 7th-grade “runt.” Determined to escape this social humiliation, Janet embarks on a mission to skate with a boy to prove her maturity.
The heartfelt and humorous narrative has resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning awards such as Best Live Action Short at the Lone Star Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Wyoming Film Festival, and Best American Spectrum Short at the Indy Film Festival. It also received a Narrative Shorts Honorable Mention at Dances With Films and has been showcased at several prestigious festivals, including HollyShorts, the Austin Film Festival, and the Catalina Film Festival.
Speaking about her decision to join the project, Walsh said, “The Runt is a poignant and funny film about a tween girl learning how to fight through her fears. With themes of identity, friendship, and self-confidence, it really struck a chord with my 12-year-old self. Christy’s timeless story transcends generations, but hits me especially hard since I, too, was a child in the 70s and deeply committed to roller-skating, so I can dig it on that level as well.”
Stratton expressed her excitement about Walsh’s participation, said, “Kate’s immediate connection to the film was so gratifying to the entire team – we were delighted when she agreed to join us as an executive producer. It just goes to show what can happen when you ask for what you want.”
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