In Their Own Words is a documentary and photo exhibit that examines the changes endured by two Florida coastal communities as they struggle with issues of natural resource dependence and coastal development. Using audio and video excerpts from oral history interviews and a photographic essay the film portrays contemporary life in the resilient communities of Cortez and Cedar Key, Florida.
Fishing communities that once fringed the entire Florida peninsula and panhandle have all but vanished. Those that survive face a combination of challenges, including rapid population growth, coastal development, degradation of local ecosystems, and increasing regulation of marine resources.
Through a Florida Humanities Council grant initiative entitled Florida: Exploring the State of the Future the In Their Own Words project explores these changes and their effects on the people, their community and landscape.
The collaboration of maritime anthropologist Dr. Michael Jepson and photographer Carlton Ward, Jr. documents how these two fishing communities have adapted to dramatic change to their traditional way of life and provides a glimpse of their future, through their own words.
The documentary is a Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage production with additional support from the Florida Humanities Council and the Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture. In addition to the film, a four panel photo exhibit complements the program.
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GET THE MOVIE: Watch or download the documentary video In Their Own Words (169 MB wmv)