Sanibel

Initially an offbeat comedy exploring the quirky, seashell-obsessed culture of Southwest Florida, six weeks into filming, Hurricane Ian — one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history — devastates the region. As waters recede, the crew return to find a transformed landscape and story. What was once lighthearted now grapples with a deeper question: will the community's love for shells and the coastline survive the weight of its overwhelming grief, or will it find a way to heal and rebuild?

• Herbert James WintersternDirector
• Herbert James WintersternWriter