LOS ANGELES, CA — Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions and the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) have announced that filming has officially wrapped on the short film Boatlift 9/11, which recounts the civilian-led rescue that became the largest maritime evacuation in U.S. history. The production was filmed on location in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Manhattan, capturing the urgency of the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. The film is currently in post-production and is expected to be completed in mid-June 2026.
To mark completion, the production team will host a special Oscar-qualifying screening week with free public showings from June 12 through June 18 at Cinelounge on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. These early screenings will give audiences a first look before the film's official red-carpet premiere on September 11 at the historic Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Inspired by Saved at the Seawall by Jessica Dulong, Boatlift 9/11 tells the true story of the spontaneous evacuation that unfolded on New York's waterways after the attacks. As Lower Manhattan was cut off from traditional evacuation routes, an impromptu fleet of ferries, tugboats, fishing vessels, and private boats mobilized to transport hundreds of thousands of stranded people across New York Harbor to safety.
"It was a long journey to get this film made," said producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis. "We felt it was important to recognize the brave first responders, mariners, and civilians who helped rescue over 500,000 people from the seawall when the Twin Towers collapsed."
The film is produced by Suzanne DeLaurentiis and Nathan Samdahl, directed and produced by Dale Fabrigar, and written by Tricia Aurand. It stars Sofia Helin (The Bridge, Atlantic Crossing), Preslea Elliott (Killers of the Flower Moon), and Hank Northrop (Days of Our Lives, Criminal Minds).
Beyond honoring the heroism of that day, the film draws attention to the long-term health consequences faced by many 9/11 survivors. Thousands later developed serious illnesses—including respiratory conditions, cancers, and kidney disease—linked to prolonged exposure to toxic debris following the attacks. In support of that awareness mission, the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) and executive director Nicole Mendez have joined the initiative to amplify community engagement and awareness surrounding the project's message of remembrance, resilience, and ongoing health advocacy.
As the 25th anniversary approaches, Boatlift 9/11 aims not only to memorialize an unprecedented rescue effort but also to honor the courage of those who stepped forward when their city needed them most. For more information, visit Boatlift911.com, SuzanneDeLaurentiisProduction.com, or MNITF.org.
