The independent comedy series “Mile Zeros: Un Anchored” is headed to Marathon. Following two sold-out performances at the Tropic Cinema and the Studios of Key West, the team of local filmmakers will host a screening of the pilot episode on Monday, Nov. 16 at the Marathon Community Cinema. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The pilot, “Claw & Order,” follows two eccentric FWC officers trying to rack up some lobster season arrests for their scoreboard, and two unsuspecting honeymooners on a snorkeling trip. The film series brings together colorful locals, eccentric visitors and the unmistakable humor that defines life at Mile Marker 0.
Produced by Rogue Reel Studios, Mile Zeros is a scripted comedy series inspired by the people, places, legends and everyday absurdities of the Florida Keys. The cast, crew and musical soundtrack are all rooted in the Keys. It stars Chad Newman and Samantha Jindra as the FWC officers, Luke Wright as one of the honeymooners and Pedro Lara as the bail bondsman. The musical score was created by local musicians Mike Stack and Tom Curtis Jr.
Three members of the Marathon Community Theatre are involved in the series: Darby Sheehan, who plays Serena, one of the newlyweds; Cecil Lee Lawson, who plays Red, the salty sailor; and Megan Gross, who does double duty as script supervisor and production assistant.
The Nov. 16 screening event aims to raise funding to complete episode 2 of the show. Tickets range from $25 for seats to $80 (tables), and include a screening of the pilot episode, a blooper reel, a sneak peek of the second episode with never-before-seen footage, a behind-the-scenes filmmaking presentation and a Q&A session with some of the local filmmakers.
The pilot was nominated for “Best Florida Short” at the Key West Film Festival, and was accepted into Sunscreen Film Festival, Orlando Film Festival and Buffalo International Film Festival. The production also received the Women in Film & Television Florida Finishing Fund Grant, recognizing the project’s quality and helping bring the pilot to completion.
Film Florida, the main marketing and networking resource in the state’s production industry, selected Mile Zeros for the 2026 Emerging Filmmakers Award to assist with production costs of episode 2.
Filming began in September for episode 2, “Square Groupers.” Inspired by another legendary chapter of Keys history, “Square Groupers” puts a comedic spin on the islands’ infamous smuggling lore while continuing the series’ focus on uniquely Florida Keys stories.
More information is at milezeros.com. Tickets are available at keystix.com.
