What does it feel like to belong? Three powerful local films, each supported by Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) and screened at the April 2026 Sarasota Film Festival, explore that question. Set on the beautiful campuses of New College and Ringling College of Art & Design, the screenings drew packed houses, red carpets, and standing ovations.
Together, “Call It What It Is,” “The Healing Mirror,” and “Fish Fry & Fellowship” show us that belonging is something we build one courageous conversation at a time.
“Call It What It Is”
When Sarasota High School principals asked for more resources to empower students and prevent bullying, Sarasota County Schools partnered with Gulf Coast and Wingspan Productions to create something unique.
Filmed across five local high schools, the “Call it What It Is” documentary features candid interviews with students, staff, and health professionals about bullying with the goal of lifting up young voices, helping students feel less alone, and introducing them to available resources. The film is now part of required instructional materials for all Sarasota County middle and high school staff and students during Bullying Prevention Month in October.
Wingspan Productions has a gift for creating space where honest conversations can happen. Their previous collaborations with Gulf Coast, “Bridge to the Other Side” and “The Fentanyl Project,” tackle mental health and the dangers of fentanyl with the same care and candor.
The post-screening panel featured students who spoke movingly about peer support, social media pressures, and the importance of being seen and given grace. The film ends with students smiling and laughing, leaving audiences with genuine hope.
“The Healing Mirror”
Created by Second Heart Homes and filmed at Sarasota Art Museum, “The Healing Mirror” follows formerly unhoused residents as they find their voices through poetry. Guided by Sarasota-based renowned poet Cedric Hameed, participants move through writing workshops that become a mirror for reflection, healing, and self-expression.
The film captures residents sharing their perspectives on self-image, fear, and triumph. The panel discussion that followed broke down stigma around homelessness and mental illness while honoring the extraordinary courage it takes to tell your own story.
One resident on the panel shared: “I was homeless for five years, and in prison, including solitary confinement. For me to be making a documentary is amazing. To be sitting here today is amazing.” He then read a poem he wrote about the beauty of his backyard at Second Heart Homes.
Another panelist offered this: “I found my voice. Poetry can help unlock the things in your mind. Housing alone is not enough to heal the wounds.”
“Fish Fry & Fellowship”
Feelings of belonging can begin over a shared meal. “Fish Fry & Fellowship,” directed by Paul Ratner, made its world premiere at the 2026 Sarasota Film Festival. The documentary explores the tradition of Southern fish fries and centers on a beloved monthly gathering at St. Andrews AME Church in Palmetto, Florida, where everyone is welcomed by name.
The documentary features Black and white residents of Palmetto who grew up during segregation coming together. In another time, under different circumstances, these same people might have been lifelong friends. Now they eat, laugh, and reminisce together, and the film evokes the essence of a family reunion. Historic memorabilia, including old yearbook photos, are brought to life through innovative filmmaking techniques.
At the heart of it all is fish fry ringmaster Moody Johnson, who makes history fun through stories and rhymes. “You'll find a lot of love and some great fish," he says. "And the fellowship is tremendous."
The Sarasota Film Festival even hosted a real fish fry for festivalgoers filled with energy and community.
In each of these stories, the people on screen discover that they matter. The filmmakers celebrate the everyday heroes who show up for one another. They remind us that belonging isn't just a feeling we wait for; it's something we create, together, every single day.
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