The Spirit We Move With
"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.
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)
Winner: Best Documentary Short - Columbus International Film & Animation Festival (2026)
Finalist: 2026 Shorty Award (Best Documentary)
Official Selection: New York African Film Festival
Official Selection: Journey Home Film Festival (Atlanta)
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Andrew MaguireDirector
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Andrew MaguireWriter
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Omolola "Lola" CampbellProducer
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Andrew MaguireProducer
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Omolola "Lola" CampbellKey Cast"Appearing as herself "
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Alex BrownKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Danardis MitchellKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Ahmad WardKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Willie Marvin CohenKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Wesley CampbellKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Sonya GrantKey Cast"Appearing as herself "
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Tim SingletonKey Cast"Appearing as himself"
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Lance CaseyEdited By
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Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Chamber of CommerceProduction Partners
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Interluxe GroupProduction Partners
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Runtime:19 minutes 52 seconds
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Completion Date:November 18, 2025
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Virginia Black Film FestivalWilliamsburg
United States
February 19, 2026
Official Selection -
Rapport FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
March 25, 2026
Official Selection -
Black History Film Festival: ATLAtlanta
United States
February 27, 2026
Official Selection -
Black History Film Festival: DCWashington DC
United States
February 20, 2026
Official Selection -
Black History Film Festival: OaklandOakland, CA
United States
February 21, 2026
Official Selection -
Black History Film Festival: MiamiMiami
February 23, 2026
Official Selection -
Premiered to the Gullah Community on Hilton Head IslandHilton Head Island
United States
February 12, 2026
Hilton Head Island Premiere -
American Stories Film FestivalAtlanta, GA
United States
February 20, 2026
Official Selection -
Columbus International Film & Animation FestivalColumbus
United States
April 25, 2026
Winner Best Documentary Short -
London Globe FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
Official Selection -
2026 Shorty Award Finalist (Best Documentary)New York City
United States
Finalist: Best Documentary -
New York African Film FestivalNew York City
United States
May 16, 2026
Official Selection -
Journey Home Film FestivalAtlanta
June 12, 2026
Official Selection
For over two decades, West Coast-based filmmaker and creative director Andrew Maguire has crafted powerful stories across the globe. His work for the world's most influential brands and charities has taken him to more than 20 countries, capturing vital narratives on pressing topics like mental health and indigenous experiences. This award-winning portfolio of over 300 campaigns has helped non-profits like Movember and Baby2Baby raise over $200 million, with work featured in galleries and film festivals worldwide.
Andrew's versatility extends from creating compelling branded content for giants like Google, Meta, Harley-Davidson, and Coca-Cola to television like Travel Channel and even feature-length documentaries like “For The Love of Dirt,” featured on Amazon Prime. In 2008, he channeled this experience into founding Pigeon Road, a client-centric creative shop dedicated to uncovering a brand's essential story and bringing its narrative arc to life through film, photography, and comprehensive branding. At Pigeon Road he’s worked with pioneers like Terawatt Infrastructure and powerful charities like Starlight Foundation, to name a few.
At the heart of all his work is a distinct artistic vision. With a poetic and lyrical approach, his hope is to create emotional connection, positivity, and joy through his life's passion and work.
This project couldn't have been possible without Executive Producer, Omolola "Lola" Campbell.
Born and raised on Hilton Head, into one of the oldest native families, in the Spanish Wells community, Omolola “Lola” Campbell is a 6th Generation Gullah.
Her great-grandfather, Reverend Solomon Campbell, the grandson of an enslaved man living on Hilton Head at the time the Union captured Hilton Head in 1861, is thought 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 locals and summer inhabitants. Growing up in the Lowcountry, Lola developed a deep respect and admiration for the stories of her elders and seeks to spread this respect.
Lola graduated from The University of Georgia and Howard University School of Law. She’s a writer and poet with a self-published book, an entrepreneur, and worked as an attorney on Wall Street for many years before returning home to prioritize her work as an ambassador of her beloved Gullah culture. She loves spending time on the island with her thirteen year-old son, Jaylen.