Miami Film Festival Documentary Spotlights 'The Poor Man's Titanic' Shipwreck

The short film explores the tragic sinking of the S.S. Valbonera, a disaster that claimed nearly 500 lives.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:10am

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An extreme close-up of twisted, jagged metal and shattered glass from the wreckage of the S.S. Valbonera, captured in high-contrast studio lighting to create a gritty, high-tension visual metaphor for the tragic sinking of the ship and the loss of nearly 500 lives.The haunting wreckage of the S.S. Valbonera, a ship that sank off the coast of Cuba in 1919 with nearly 500 immigrant passengers on board, serves as a somber reminder of the human toll of the search for a better life.Today in Miami

A new documentary short film premiering at the Miami Film Festival shines a light on the little-known story of the S.S. Valbonera, a ship that sank off the coast of Cuba in 1919 while carrying hundreds of immigrants from the Canary Islands. The film, titled "The Poor Man's Titanic," features captivating underwater footage of the wreckage site and explores the human tragedy behind the disaster, which claimed close to 500 lives.

Why it matters

The Valbonera disaster represents a lesser-known chapter in the history of immigration and the search for a better life, with the wreck serving as a somber symbol of the unbearable price some pay for daring to dream. The film aims to shed light on this forgotten tragedy and connect it to the ongoing immigrant experience.

The details

On its final voyage in 1919, the Valbonera was packed with immigrants from the Canary Islands heading to Cuba. However, instead of hitting an iceberg like the Titanic, the Valbonera struck a hurricane. The captain was denied entry to the port of Havana and told to ride out the storm at sea, but in his search for deeper water, the ship hit a sandbar and quickly broke apart. Not a single body was ever recovered from the wreckage.

  • The S.S. Valbonera sank in 1919 off the coast of Cuba.
  • The documentary "The Poor Man's Titanic" premieres at the Miami Film Festival on April 16, 2026.
  • The film will soon after be shown on the Discovery Channel.

The players

Kerry Sanders

The writer and narrator of the documentary film "The Poor Man's Titanic." Sanders is a former NBC News correspondent.

Mike Zimmer

The videographer and producer of the documentary film "The Poor Man's Titanic."

Mirta Ojito

The journalist whose fictionalized account of the Valbonera disaster, "Deeper Than the Ocean," inspired the documentary film.

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What they’re saying

“Diving here comes with reverence and respect, the death toll here, at close to 500, is among the top fifty all-time recorded maritime disasters.”

— Kerry Sanders, Writer and Narrator

“This is an untold story.”

— Kerry Sanders, Writer and Narrator

“We made people aware of a wreck that not a lot of people knew about.”

— Mike Zimmer, Videographer and Producer

What’s next

The documentary "The Poor Man's Titanic" will premiere at the Miami Film Festival on April 16, 2026 and will soon after be shown on the Discovery Channel.

The takeaway

This forgotten maritime tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the immigrant experience, both past and present. By shining a light on the Valbonera disaster, the documentary aims to connect this historical event to the ongoing struggles faced by those seeking a better life.