ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
Thirty-nine people embarked on a dive trip off the coast of California. Only five made it back alive.
SYNOPSIS
In the early morning hours of September 2, 2019 off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, a fire ignited on a popular boat named the Conception. Thirty-four people were trapped below deck and lost their lives. After multiple federal investigations, a criminal trial, and ongoing civil lawsuits, major questions remain. How did the fire start? Why were 34 people unable to escape? Who should be held responsible? And how do we prevent this from ever happening again?
THE CONCEPTION will honor those who died, investigate what caused the fire, examine how the tragedy could have been prevented, and detail how family members of those who perished are fighting to enact change.
This feature-length documentary will be a character-driven exploration of what happened on the Conception, told through investigative material, first-hand accounts and officials tasked with determining what transpired. California’s worst maritime disaster in more than 150 years prompted Congress to change federal laws, including one from 1851 that limited liability for vessel owners. But the fight is not over. There are active civil lawsuits, an ongoing battle over safety regulations and a debate within the diving industry over the impact of the new laws.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Nicole Noren
PRODUCER Tamara Leitner, Keith Malloy, Andrew Schoneberger, Soraya Simi, Brett Williams
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Nicole Noren
WEBSITE theconceptionfilm.com
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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