Eustis Native Sydney Bakich Starring In Feature Film

    Eustis native Sydney Bakich has parlayed a life-long love of acting into a starring role in her first feature-length film. ‘The Wedding Trip’ is out on Amazon Prime, and features Bakich in the romantic comedy as one of two strangers who carpool to a mutual friend’s wedding.
    “They really start off on the wrong foot, which leads to several bumps along their journey together,” Bakich said this week.
    Bakich’s path to the big screen started on the stage at Eustis’ Bay Street Theatre, where she first began acting. After graduating from Eustis High School in 2011, she moved to New York City and began a successful modeling career, performed on stage, and undertook professional training at the T. Schreiber Studio, which has been producing acting professionals since 1969.
    In addition, Bakich has founded Snaps, a hat accessory company that has partnerships with the NBA and provides a wide range of products at snapsofficial.com. The products are included in the film, as is the Bakich family’s cabin in North Carolina, which was used for certain scenes in the movie.
    "It has been such a unique experience being able to include a couple of things from my real life in this movie," Bakich said this week, "And certainly makes the entire experience even more special. The movie is by 'New Zealand Son Films', a father and son duo who have several other movies on Amazon Prime. They are not only talented writers, filmmakers, and directors, but great people as well."
    Bakich’s family expressed pride this week at Sydney’s accomplishments.
    "I know I might be biased, but I think it is a good movie," said her father Jeff. "She is Florida-born and raised, and I'm really proud of her."
    Bakich is the granddaughter of Mike and Judy Bakich, longtime Umatilla residents.
    If you don’t have Amazon Prime, it’s time to find a friend who does and put together a watch party to see this local girl done good!