We’re thrilled to share the announcement by documentary filmmakers George Crain and Lance Lipman that they are releasing to the public “St. Simons: Surviving Success”, a fifteen-minute film that presents the beautiful assets of this Georgia island community, but also the challenges it faces in remaining a natural treasure as development and tourism pressures increase. St. Simons is one of only four of Georgia’s fifteen barrier islands that are accessible by car along the state’s 110 miles of Atlantic coastline.
St Simons Surviving Success documentary image
The documentary, presented initially through public screenings with the Saint Simons Land Trust and other local preservation advocacy groups, has a call-to-action message for residents and vacationers who cherish St. Simons’ natural beauty, charm and aesthetic: get involved in envisioning the island’s desired future and become an advocate for that vision. “We hope to better inform and inspire those who care about these rare and beautiful coastal communities to take action now to preserve what makes places like St. Simons so special,” say Crain and Lipman.
One resident who recently attended a screening of the documentary said, “The word that comes to mind about the film is “authentic”. There's no agenda, there's only the interest in and concern for helping this paradise survive inevitable growth, such that the future will be as attractive as the past.”
“St. Simons: Surviving Success,” can now be viewed on YouTube at “St. Simons: Surviving Success”. In addition to the full documentary, an open-captioned version and the trailer are also available. An accompanying SSI Take Action Toolkit is also available for download and provides ways people can discuss the issues and take action to develop a wise balance between growth and preservation.
“We are sharing this documentary with everyone who loves St. Simons to spur community involvement and discussion, even online, about how to preserve and enhance what’s special about this island community. Coming together to assess the health and future sustainability of our communities is more important than ever. We think that time has come for St. Simons,” say the documentary producers.
“St. Simons: Surviving Success” is a 2020 Official Selection and Best Documentary Short nominee of the Beaufort International Film Festival and a 2019 Official Selection and Best Documentary Short nominee of Amelia Island’s Rendezvous Film Festival. The documentary was also screened at St. Simons’ Island Cinema, where a crowd of over 500 was shown the documentary and presented with information about the island’s future growth and development.
