Documentary The Last Dive Premieres in Santa Barbara
The film explores the multi-decade bond between a veteran diver and a giant Pacific manta ray.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Documentary
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The documentary The Last Dive has premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Film Center. It follows 80-year-old veteran Terry Kennedy as he tracks down a manta ray named Willy.
Why it matters
The film highlights how scuba diving provides therapeutic focus and calm for veterans managing PTSD. Kennedy undertook the journey to reunite with his long-time underwater companion for one final dive.
Terry Kennedy traveled 250 miles offshore to reach the remote Pacific island where his 22-foot manta ray companion resides. The pair maintained a unique bond spanning two decades.
The players
Terry Kennedy
Terry Kennedy is an 80-year-old veteran who uses scuba diving to manage his PTSD.
The details
In the film, Kennedy explains how the 22-foot manta ray once slapped its wing against his boat to signal him into the water. This interaction occurred during an expedition to a remote Pacific island located 250 miles offshore.
Timeline
The routine bond between Kennedy and Willy lasted from 1996 to 2016.
Kennedy last visited the island in 2016 prior to the recent expedition.
Documentary screenings began on October 16, 2026.
Documentary screenings will end on October 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The film aligns with the use of scuba diving for PTSD management by documenting a veteran’s therapeutic underwater experiences. This project reflects a broader trend of nature-based documentaries that focus on the healing intersection of human and animal connections.
Local residents can view the film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Film Center. Tickets for the screenings are available through the theater's official portal.
The takeaway
The Last Dive illustrates the profound impact of nature-based therapy on veteran mental health. Viewers are encouraged to consider how specialized hobby-based activities can serve as effective coping mechanisms for trauma.
Further reading
Learn more about local film events at the Santa Barbara Documentary section.
More information
Purchase your documentary screening tickets through the festival's website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsChannel 3-12.
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