A fresh documentary about Albert Whitted Airport started last night at the Palladium Theater. The 7 p.m. showing has packed the house, with no tickets left for opening night.
“Our City, Our Airport” shows the small airfield’s path through time. Through talks with staff and flyers, the film paints a picture of this 110-acre spot that serves both travelers and rescue teams. The Friends of Albert Whitted Airport worked with film pros Andrew Lee and Laura Landry to bring this story to life.
“We realized that there’s this very deep connection between the airport and St. Petersburg,” Lee said, according to St. Pete Catalyst. “Once you see the film, you’ll realize how intertwined these two things are, not only through history, but also through the current-day use of the airport and what it brings to the city.”
What started as a quick half-hour piece in 2023 grew much bigger. “None of us really knew at that time that it would turn into a feature-length documentary,” Lee said.
Two runways stretch across the field. Cars race here. Pilots train here. Rescue teams launch from here. “There’s all these sorts of ancillary ways that the airport impacts the community just by being a transportation hub,” Landry said.
The story aims to show why small strips matter in U.S. flying. “Our goal is to take them on an adventure through the fascinating history of aviation and why little airports like Albert Whitted are so vital to the communities that they serve,” Lee said.
Miss tonight? Catch it at the Green Light Cinema showing on November 11. Head to the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport site to buy tickets.