By Dave Warner
In a David-vs.-Goliath moment for independent cinema, Frankfort filmmaker Michael Flores is rallying the community to help fund a $3,500 submission to the 2026 Golden Globe Awards for his critically acclaimed drama Dogs on the Sendero.
The film, which explores themes of resilience and the human-animal bond along rugged trails, has already garnered strong praise from viewers since its streaming debut earlier this year.
Flores, a local director known for his grassroots approach to storytelling, shared the exciting – yet daunting – opportunity during a recent interview. “We’ve gotten a great reception since it was released on Amazon, Apple TV Plus, et cetera. And we just switched over to Amazon Prime. So the film is now available with a Prime account. You can basically watch it for free if you have an account,” Flores said.
The movie’s momentum continues to build, with plans to expand to ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Pluto TV next month.
The Golden Globes invitation marks a milestone for Dogs on the Sendero, a low-budget production that punches above its weight. “With all the film’s success so far, we’ve actually been invited to submit for the Golden Globes this year, which is huge,” Flores explained.
However, the path to awards season isn’t cheap. Even with a discounted “low-budget alternative fee,” the submission costs $3,500—a steep hurdle for an indie project with no major studio backing. “It’s really not as simple as it sounds just to submit your film… even that, it’s still $3,500 just to submit your film, and that’s no guarantee of anything, really.”
Flores remains optimistic about the film’s potential to shine among Hollywood heavyweights. “Hopefully, the committee will watch it. And see its merits, and hopefully, we can hold our own against these major Hollywood blockbusters. Crazier things have happened,” he added with a laugh.
To bridge the funding gap, The Creative Outpost – a local hub for artists and entrepreneurs – is stepping up with a $500 donation to kickstart the campaign. That leaves $3,000 to be raised from the public in less than a week, as the submission deadline looms. “If we can raise the $3,500… it will help us potentially stand out amongst this year’s awards season,” Flores noted.
Even just submitting, he emphasized, would boost the film’s visibility: “That’s another kind of thing that we can boast about – a Golden Globe’s submission, and hopefully that will propel the film’s popularity even further on the platforms where it is.”
Community involvement could yield perks beyond the donation itself. Flores is open to corporate sponsorships or shoutouts for supporters. “If any local community members or businesses want to take part, obviously that’s all stuff that we can include… in any of our social media posts or advertisements in regards to the Golden Globes,” he said. “We couldn’t do it without that.”
Flores, who recently emerged from post-production debt, views the risk as worthwhile despite mixed advice from industry contacts. “Some people say it’s a waste of time. Some people say, You know, go for it. What do you have to lose? That’s where I’m leaning,” he shared.
He’s prepared to cover the fee personally if needed, but hopes community backing will lighten the load. “Every little bit helps. I can’t thank you enough.”
For those inspired to support a homegrown talent’s shot at the spotlight, a dedicated donation page has been set up through The Creative Outpost. Contributions of any amount are welcome and will directly fund the Golden Globes entry, with the added thrill of potentially seeing Dogs on the Sendero grace the awards stage.
Visit https://creativeoutpost.org/projects/ to make your tax-deductible contribution before the deadline.
As Flores put it, “It’s a big deal.” In an era where indie voices often struggle for airtime, this could be the break that puts the Mohawk Valley on the map.
Stream Dogs on the Sendero now on Amazon Prime to see what the buzz is about – and consider joining the fight for its Golden moment.
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