Hilton Head’s Gullah voices take center stage in new documentary. What to know, how to watch
For generations, Gullah families on Hilton Head Island have preserved their language, traditions and deep connection to the land.
Now, their stories are being shared on the big screen.
A new documentary, created by the Gullah community in partnership with the Hilton Head Island–Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, offers an intimate, people-centered portrait of Gullah life on Hilton Head Island.
“The Spirit We Move With” will debut from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, located at 40 Harriet Tubman Way. To visit and view the screening, attendees may register online.
A story told by the community
Developed over the past year, with early conversations beginning nearly two years ago, the documentary traces how generations of Gullah families have preserved their traditions, language and identity on the island.
Rather than serving as a comprehensive history lesson, executive producer Lola Campbell says the film focuses on lived experiences – highlighting resilience.
“It’s about the preservation and importance of sustaining the culture,” she said. “It’s about the survival and the power of passing the culture down from generation to generation.”
Filming took place throughout the island, including in the homes of Gullah community members to capture authentic moments of daily life, such as a family sharing Sunday dinner.
Several scenes were also captured at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, a foundational site in the island’s Gullah history.
Campbell, a sixth-generation Gullah descendant born and raised in the Spanish Wells community, said the heart of the film emerged from early roundtable discussions with local leaders.
“We really wanted to show that we’re still here,” Campbell said. “We have thriving businesses, and the culture is still alive. It’s an important part of Hilton Head’s history, but also Hilton Head today.”
The film’s title comes directly from a line spoken by one of the community members featured in the documentary:
“But when my ancestors had this land, they had hope that their offspring would keep this land, grow it, and build on it. And that’s the spirit that I move with.”
Campbell said that quote captured the essence of the project – honoring ancestors while continuing to build for future generations.
“I wanted to make sure that our culture is exposed in the most authentic way possible,” she said. “And this gave me a chance to do that.”
She described the filming process as deeply moving, marked by a visible sense of pride.
“Being able to see it in real life, as people were interviewed and stories were told … it was heartwarming,” she said.
Where to watch
Beyond the premiere on Feb. 12, “The Spirit We Move With” has gained notable recognition, with selection to upcoming film festivals that include:
- The Virginia Black Film Festival (Feb. 19–22, 2026, Williamsburg, Virginia)
- The Rapport Black Film Festival (March 27–29, 2026, Ritzy Cinema, London)
- The 2026 Black History Film Festival, a multi-city event with screenings in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Miami, and Oakland, California
In total, the film has been submitted to 31 festivals.
Following its festival run, the documentary will be available for public viewing on the Chamber’s dedicated website, which features local resources and historical context about the island’s Gullah culture.
The online release is anticipated around August, in alignment with festival guidelines that prohibit public streaming prior to official screenings, but that is subject to change.
In the meantime, Campbell says that additional public screenings are anticipated.
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A collaborative effort
The project took many hands to produce, but Campbell said developing the film in partnership with the Chamber was intentional.
“It was a true collaboration built on trust and a shared commitment to telling the Gullah story with integrity,” she said in the documentary’s press release.
Bill Miles, President and CEO of the Chamber, echoed the sentiment in the press release, stating that the film is “a powerful reminder that the culture, traditions and leadership of the Gullah community continue to shape Hilton Head Island.”
Meet the filmmakers
Campbell, the film’s executive producer, comes from one of Hilton Head’s oldest native families.
Her great-grandfather, Reverend Solomon Campbell, is believed to be the first Gullah teacher born and raised on the island. Her grandfather, Solomon Campbell Jr., was an early craftsman of boats and homes for both locals and summer residents.
Campbell is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Howard University School of Law. She is a former Wall Street attorney and owner of Binya Boutique.
Director Andrew Maguire, a West Coast-based filmmaker and creative director, brings more than two decades of experience in documentary storytelling. His work has been featured in galleries, television and film festivals around the world. He has previously collaborated with the Chamber on promotional videos.
To learn more about the film, click here.
