- April 25, 2024
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"Bernie" high-fives St. Augustine Beach resident Angel Meisel. Photo by Paige Wilson
Marineland Dolphin Adventure volunteers Heather Jones, Geri Cross, Debbie Teneza and Mary Clark. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast residents Christopher and Andrew Jones stand by the movie poster. Photo by Paige Wilson
Marineland dolphin trainers, who were active behind-the-scenes during filming, walk the red carpet. Photo by Paige Wilson
Debbie Staly and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly walk the red carpet. Photo by Paige Wilson
A crowd greets "Bernie," the dolphin, who arrived for the premiere. Photo by Paige Wilson
Kevin Sorbo, who plays Winston Mills, takes a photo with Palm Coast residents Lily Lisowski and Olivia Chochev. Photo by Paige Wilson
Star Lola Sultan, who plays Holly Ryan, waves to locals who line the red carpet. Photo by Paige Wilson
Vincent De Paul, who is featured in the film, signs autographs. Photo by Paige Wilson
St. Augustine residents Lincoln and Jared Spong wait for their mother/wife to walk the red carpet for the premiere. Photo by Paige Wilson
A Marineland dolphin trainer, who was active behind-the-scenes during filming, walks the red carpet. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins walks in with Jennifer and Jessie Mullins. Photo by Paige Wilson
Kevin Sorbo, who plays Winston Mills, takes a selfie with Debbie Teneza. Photo by Paige Wilson
Star Lola Sultan, who plays Holly Ryan, signs autographs. Photo by Paige Wilson
Members of the "Bernie the Dolphin" cast. Photo by Paige Wilson
Every time signs or aerial shots of Marineland Dolphin Adventure graced the silver screen in the new movie “Bernie the Dolphin,” applause filled theater No. 7 at EPIC Theaters in Palm Coast.
The movie premiere was a grand event the evening of Sunday, Dec. 16, as locals lined a red carpet that rolled out of the theater to welcome the stars of the movie, which was filmed at Marineland.
Before the showing, kids and adults alike hollered for photos with and autographs from the stars, including youth actors Lola Sultan and Logan Allen, and the well-known Kevin Sorbo, who is famous for the series “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.”
“That’s one thing I still think is magical about going to a packed movie theater, is the reactions from people watching something that you’re in,” Sorbo said. “I’m looking forward to this, it’s going to be fun.”
The family film, which is set in St. Augustine, tells the tale of a brother and sister’s journey to save a sunburned dolphin named Bernie, who is played by a Marineland dolphin named Aqe.
“I hope that they laugh and have a good time and cheer and applaud and go tell all their friends to go watch it and get it on demand, as well, because little movies like this need support,” Sorbo said. “We don’t have a big advertising budget to get these movies out there. And small movies like this need to get out there.”
After the show, the stars answered questions from the audience about the filming process and adventures on set.
Filming begins this week at Marineland Dolphin Adventure for the sequel.
“We can’t tell you much. All we can tell you is that we’re all going to be in it,” said Lola, who plays Holly Ryan.
“Everybody is going to really enjoy it,” added Logan, who plays Kevin Ryan.
“You'll like me a lot more in the second movie,” Sorbo, who plays “bad guy” Winston Mills, said to the audience.
“Bernie the Dolphin” will show in select theaters for the public, but not at EPIC in Palm Coast. The movie is currently available on demand and will be on DVD in February.
Marineland is no stranger to the big screen, as it opened 80 years ago as a Hollywood filming destination.
Co-star Lily Cardone, who plays Sidney Simms, said her role as a dolphin trainer gave her an inside look into the park, its employees and dolphins.
“The research I learned online could not compare to the research that the people at Marineland taught me, being there,” Cardone said. “I learned so much about our wildlife and the environment. It’s a beautiful park with beautiful people.”
Marineland guests will have the opportunity to view the filming of Bernie 2 in person at the park, 9600 Oceanshore Blvd., Marineland, Dec. 18-22.
Visit https://www.berniethedolphinfilm.com.
