The Spirit We Move With

The Spirit We Move With

Director(s): Andrew Maguire

Key Cast: Omolola “Lola” Campbell, Alex Brown, Danardis Mitchell, Ahmad Ward, Willie Marvin Cohen, Wesley Campbell, Sonya Grant, Tim Singleton

Runtime: 19:52 minutes

Language: English

Genre: Documentary

Festival Category: Documentaries

Synopsis

"The Spirit We Move With" explores the rich history and enduring culture of the Gullah Geechee community on Hilton Head Island. Descendants of enslaved West and Central Africans who gained freedom prior to Emancipation, the Gullah Geechee preserved deep cultural traditions along the coastal Southeast.

Through nearly a year of interviews and immersive storytelling, the film reveals how this resilient community overcame generations of challenges while safeguarding their traditions, stories, and way of life. Celebrated today for their vibrant heritage, the Gullah Geechee people offer a moving testament to strength, identity, and cultural survival.

Winner: Best Documentary Short - Columbus International Film & Animation Festival (2026)
Winner: Best Documentary Short - Georgia Shorts Film Festival (2026)
Finalist: 2026 Shorty Award (Best Documentary)
Semi-Finalist: Best Documentary Short - Journey Home Film Festival (Atlanta: 2026)
Official Selection – Virginia Black Film Festival (2026)
Official Selection - Black History Film Festival (2026)
Official Selection - Rapport Festival (2026)
Official Selection - American Stories Film Festival (2026)
Official Selection - London Globe Festival (2026)
Official Selection - New York African Film Festival (2026)
Official Selection - Tryon International Film Festival (2026)