Experiencing Interruptions?

Sirens and the Seashell Queen

Three real-life merpeople find community and creativity in their pursuit of mythical alter egos. Carrie Wata finds meaning in breaking the generational cycle of water-related trauma for people of color. Merman Akylis dives into a female-dominated profession. Iona Parris, a military veteran, started collecting shells and creating art to cope with symptoms of PTSD— and now her shell creations are prized collector’s items. All three are part of Florida's mermaid community, where they swim in the otherworldly beauty of Florida springs and create a world of their own.

  • SK Shore
    Director
  • SK Shore
    Producer
  • Iona Parris
    Key Cast
    "herself"
  • Melanee Schneider
    Key Cast
    "Carrie Wata"
  • Jonathon Ayala
    Key Cast
    "Merman Akylis"
  • Anatoli Ulyanov
    Lead Artists
    Homeless Angels (2017 short film), Fickle Wish (2016 branded film)
  • Carlos Ramos
    Lead Artists
    Clubhouse- No Way! (music video), Road to Indy (branded film)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    533:301
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - SK Shore

Sarah Kate Shore is an independent documentary filmmaker based out of Florida. She has an undergraduate degree in marine biology and attended graduate school for environmental anthropology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a filmmaker, SK aims to provide a platform for people to tell incredible real-life stories. She believes that film is a powerful medium for combining art and research in ways that inspire, inform, and create change.

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Director Statement

What makes a good life? ​This question is central to my work as a documentary filmmaker. My filmography aims to be an ongoing conversation about the many paths that lead to a well-lived life, through meditations on creativity, personal expression, relationships, family histories, religion, traditions, futurism, work, nature, and what it means to set down roots.