The production of Boatlift 9/11, a short film recounting the largest maritime evacuation in U.S. history that occurred on September 11, 2001, has officially concluded filming. The project, a collaboration between Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions and the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF), filmed on location in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Manhattan to capture the atmosphere of the events. The film is now in post-production and is expected to be completed by mid-June 2026.
To mark the film's completion, the production team will host a special screening week with free public showings from June 12 through June 18 at Cinelounge on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. These early screenings will provide audiences a first look before the official red-carpet premiere on September 11, 2026, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The film tells the true story of the spontaneous civilian-led evacuation from Lower Manhattan after the attacks, when an impromptu fleet of ferries, tugboats, fishing vessels, and private boats mobilized to transport hundreds of thousands of stranded people to safety across New York Harbor.
Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis stated the film aims to recognize the brave first responders, mariners, and civilians who helped rescue over 500,000 people. The film is inspired by the book Saved at the Seawall by Jessica Dulong. Beyond honoring the heroism of that day, the film also draws attention to the long-term health consequences faced by many 9/11 survivors, including respiratory conditions, cancers, and kidney disease linked to exposure to toxic debris. In support of this awareness mission, the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF) and its executive director Nicole Mendez have joined the initiative to amplify community engagement around remembrance, resilience, and health advocacy.
The film stars Sofia Helin, Preslea Elliott, and Hank Northrop. It is produced by Suzanne DeLaurentiis and Nathan Samdahl, and directed and produced by Dale Fabrigar, with a screenplay by Tricia Aurand. As the 25th anniversary approaches, Boatlift 9/11 seeks to memorialize the unprecedented rescue effort and honor the courage shown during the crisis. For more information, visit Boatlift911.com, SuzanneDeLaurentiisProduction.com, or MNITF.org.
