Pre-production is underway for the upcoming feature film Sharing Air, and authenticity is leading the way — both above and below the surface.
Based on the book Sharing Air, written by Diveheart founder and president Jim Elliott and inspired by true adaptive diving experiences, the film brings together Hollywood actors, certified scuba professionals, and adaptive divers in a story that highlights resilience, human connection, and the transformative power of scuba diving.
A Full-Circle Story: From Blind Skier to Diver to Actor
More than twenty years ago, Jim Elliott guided blind skiers and met a young blind athlete named Dan Barrett. Eventually, Elliott encouraged Barrett to try scuba diving. Barrett embraced the challenge, became a certified adaptive diver, and later traveled with Diveheart on scuba adventures.
When Elliott co-wrote Sharing Air, he created a character inspired by Barrett’s journey. Decades later, life has come full circle: Dan Barrett will portray that very character — Dan Black — in the upcoming film adaptation.
Filming begins in March 2026 in the Chicago area and will wrap in Key Largo, Florida in early April. What began as an adaptive diving mentorship has evolved into a cinematic reality.
Making Actors Divers — and Divers Actors
To ensure realism and safety, all principal actors participating in Florida dive scenes have completed scuba certification training.
In February, three principal cast members traveled from Los Angeles to Phoenix, Arizona to earn their certifications:
- Jason Markoff portrays Jonathan Strong, a scuba instructor and founder of Deep Dive.
- Katherine Cozumel plays Jewels, a woman embracing adventure and love while facing life’s uncertainties.
- Mike Markoff portrays Roman Carmichael, a thrill-seeker confronting deeper emotional truths.
The casting brings a unique dynamic to the film. Brothers Jason and Mike Markoff portray characters navigating personal challenges, while real-life married couple Mike Markoff and Katherine Cozumel bring authentic chemistry to the screen.
Producer, writer, and director David Marsh, a former instructor at Phoenix Scuba Adventures, coordinated the actors’ training with colleague Neil Scott, who donated his time to certify the cast and will travel to Florida to support production.
The actors completed confined water skills in a training pool and conducted open water certification dives at Lake Pleasant in 58°F water, wearing full 7mm exposure protection.
“I am passionate about scuba diving, and I am excited to support a film that shares the love of scuba diving,” said Scott. “I especially appreciate that this film portrays scuba diving as the therapeutic hero of the story.”
The Story Behind Sharing Air
Sharing Air follows a diverse group of individuals in Chicago, each facing personal adversity, who come together to become scuba certified before traveling to Florida for a transformative dive experience.
The film addresses themes including:
- Veterans living with paralysis and PTSD
- Multiple sclerosis
- Quadriplegia
- Visual impairment
- Cancer diagnoses
- Grief and love
- The reality that sometimes obstacles must be moved through, not avoided
Executive Producer Jim Elliott and Director David Marsh formed Deep Dive Productions to bring the story to life. The screenplay aims to raise awareness about adaptive diving and organizations like Diveheart that empower individuals with physical and emotional challenges to experience freedom underwater.
Production Details
Principal photography begins in early March in the Chicago area and continues in Key Largo, Florida, with Rainbow Reef serving as the dive center partner.
Photo assets available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1br80falYnsr7crpHlK15zC4QQFKohxN9
Media Contact:
Jim Elliott / Deep Dive Productions
Jim.elliott@diveheart.org
630-408-1920