CIHS to present ‘Passion and Courage’ film screening
Tickets are available for the Captiva Island Historical Society’s (CIHS) next season program.
In partnership with the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, the CIHS will present “Passion and Courage: The Esperanza Woodring Story” on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at BIG ARTS on Sanibel. It will feature a screening of the new documentary, followed by a Q&A with Ken Sneeden, who produced the film.
“This event is to premiere the newly-produced documentary,” he said.
Also the CIHS documentarian, Sneeden explained that it is a collaboration between the organizations. They decided to do a film about her to preserve and share that history as she is such an island icon.
“Both of them have missions to gather and share historical information for the island communities,” he said.
Running about 60 minutes, “Passion and Courage” was in production for over a year and was just completed in January. There are interviews with over 24 people included in the documentary.
“It covers her personal history,” Sneeden said. “And the Spanish-American fishing tradition that has been a part of the islands.”
He reported that Woodring came from a Spanish-American fishing family that was prominent on Sanibel and Captiva, even Cayo Costa. Her family first arrived in the area in the late 1800s. Woodring was born in 1901 and she was the grandchild of a fishing captain who opened up a fishing rancho.
“It also covers the way she interacted with other islanders, both personally and professionally,” Sneeden said, noting that she became a fishing guide in the 1940s, which was uncommon.
The film also covers Woodring’s family as she was married to Sam Woodring Jr., who was the son of Sam Woodring. Sam Woodring was the first or one of the first homesteaders to settle on Sanibel.
“So it’s the fishing history that she represents on the island, her family connection — being the Woodring family — and the impact that she had on Sanibel while she was alive,” he said.
After the screening, attendees can take part in the Q&A.
“It’s always whatever people want to ask,” Sneeden said, explaining that sometimes people want more information on specific historical points, while other times they ask about the production of the film.
A television station executive, he founded his Fort Myers-based multimedia company in 1991, which produces high-impact videos and multimedia presentations for national clients. In 2016, Sneeden brought his skills to the islands. His research ethic, along with his passion for local history, has resulted in numerous documentaries created for the CIHS and the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village.
He noted that some of the interviewees in “Passion and Courage” may answer questions.
“We know that a lot of them will be in attendance,” Sneeden said.
A cash bar will be available.
Florida Trust Wealth Management is the presenting season sponsor for the CIHS.
“They’ve been an ongoing supporter,” he said. “They have been a terrific sponsor.”
Tickets are $25 per person.
The community is encouraged to secure a seat.
“They’re going to discover some history about Sanibel that they’ve never heard before, and there’s going to be a little bit of entertainment involved,” Sneeden said of the stories about Woodring.
For tickets, visit http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/.
For more information, visit online or contact mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
…..
IF YOU GO
What
“Passion and Courage: The Esperanza Woodring Story”
When
Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where
BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $25