BEEN HERE STAY HERE

Been Here Stay Here is an immersive documentary set on Tangier Island, a historic fishing community in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay that has been continuously inhabited for nearly 250 years. Settled in the eighteenth century, the island has long been shaped by its isolation, maritime traditions and deep-rooted sense of community.

Today, Tangier faces an uncertain future as erosion and changing environmental conditions reshape the landscape. Rather than focusing on policy debates or expert commentary, the film offers an intimate look at everyday life through the experiences of the people who call the island home.

Filmed over several years, Been Here Stay Here invites viewers into the rhythms of work, worship and family life in a community navigating profound change. Through quiet observation, the film explores themes of environmental change, cultural heritage, resilience, faith and belonging. 

A valuable resource for discussions about climate adaptation, American history, cultural identity, community resilience and the human dimensions of environmental change, Been Here Stay Here encourages audiences to engage with complex issues through empathy, curiosity and understanding.