The Horses of Cumberland Island (2026)

Stretching along Georgia’s coast, Cumberland Island ranks among the largest and most ecologically rich barrier islands in the nation. Once part of the Carnegie family’s private estate, the island was largely transferred to the National Park Service in 1972, though some descendants kept lifelong residency rights. Now, over 60,000 travelers arrive each year, fueling the economy of nearby St. Mary’s. The island’s wild horses have become its most iconic feature—but with more than 140 non-native animals roaming a delicate landscape, tensions simmer over conservation, animal welfare, and environmental limits. In 2023, a federal court acknowledged the horses’ suffering and their toll on the ecosystem, yet stopped short of ordering action. *The Horses of Cumberland Island* is an observational documentary that explores the delicate balance between heritage, tourism, and nature—where what we adore doesn’t always align with what the land can bear.