Sanibel Comes to Theaters Benefiting American Red Cross and FISH
Sanibel Movie: Sanibel Paragon Theaters Extends
This spring, the award-winning documentary Sanibel is coming to theaters across Florida. But it’s more than just a theatrical debut—it’s a chance to give back to the very people whose lives it captures.
Sanibel began as a lighthearted look at the quirky, tight-knit seashelling community that calls Southwest Florida home. The filmmakers set out to capture the charm of the island, the passion of collectors, and the traditions that revolve around the coast’s most delicate treasures. Among the early faces featured was Nancy Black, a longtime island resident and volunteer with F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, who embodied the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor long before a storm was in sight.
Then Hurricane Ian hit—and changed everything.
What started as a joyful documentary about seashells became a story of survival, resilience, and recovery.
10% of every ticket sold will be donated to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and the American Red Cross, two organizations that were on the front lines after Ian—and continue to support the long road to rebuilding across Southwest Florida.
“They were there. And they were love.”
Emily Miller, a former Sanibel trolley driver and longtime shell collector, opens and closes Sanibel with the words: “I go back to the water when I’m happy or sad.” But after Ian, that water brought unimaginable loss.
Stranded in Fort Myers in the days after the storm, Emily was one of the lucky ones—her car had survived. That car became a lifeline, allowing her to drive to the Lee County Library, where the American Red Cross had set up a relief station. “They gave me shovels, meals, and supplies—not just for me, but for my neighbors who had no way to get there,” she says. “The Red Cross never questioned how many meals I took. They were a blessing.”
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With her job and income gone, Emily also turned to FISH for support. “I was able to use the food pantry, which is huge when you’re not working. But the bigger thing was just feeling cared for. Everyone asked how you were. You felt supported. It was like the healing was happening.”
“They did everything but go home with you and cook dinner!”
Judy Beerman, the longtime owner of Island Gifts, lost nearly everything when her beloved shop was flooded with 10 feet of water. She had spent decades building her store and community.
In the days that followed, FISH stepped in with urgently needed supplies. “They gave me cleaning kits, water, cases of essentials—I still use the broom they gave me,” Judy laughs. “They said, ‘Come in, come in, get whatever you need.’ It was just so nice because they were there when we really needed someone.”
Her path to becoming part of the film was serendipitous. One moment she was helping a filmmaker buy a junonia shell, the next she had a microphone clipped to her shirt and was telling her story. “It was fun because we all got to be like family. It was really something special.”
A Story of Shells, Storms, and Strength
Sanibel started as a celebration of seashells. It became a love letter to community.
With every screening, the film now helps fund the organizations that supported the people in it. It also promotes hurricane preparedness and evacuation awareness, sharing lifesaving resources from the American Red Cross and reminding Florida residents to stay ready before the next storm.
April Theatrical Showings
Burns Court Cinema – Sarasota | Opens April 11
Tampa Theatre – Tampa | One night only, April 25
Ridge Plaza 8 – Davie | Opens April 18
Paragon Pavilion – Naples | Returns April 18
More showings will be announced soon.
We can’t thank the community enough for this outpouring of support. Seeing everyone come together—shell collectors, long-time residents, new fans of documentary film—reinforces why we made Sanibel in the first place.
Note: The American Red Cross name and logo are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. The American Red Cross name and logo are registered trademarks owned by the American National Red Cross.