Winter, the dolphin who appears as herself in the film, was rescued after becoming tangled in a crab trap and brought to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. A circle of compassionate strangers rallied to help her adapt to life with a disability, and in doing so inspired audiences to rethink how people view humans and animals with differences. This true-life journey anchors the film and highlights the power of community support in marine rescue and rehabilitation.
David Yates, the chief executive officer of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, shares how the project unfolded from the idea to the screen. He notes that Winter is thriving, rarely having bad days, and he affectionately calls her a dolphin diva. The team describes her days as joyful and full of play, a testament to the dedication of CMA staff and volunteers who care for her each day. He adds that Winter’s character on screen mirrors the real energy she brings to CMA’s daily life.
Asked about her current state, Yates says, “Winter is doing great. She doesn’t have too many bad days; life is good and she is a little dolphin diva.” The conversation moves to Christmas, and the plan for the dolphins at CMA. A baby dolphin named Hope, rescued almost a year ago, will be paired with Winter’s older companion Panama, who already acts as an adopted mother. In the weeks after Christmas, Hope will join Panama, and Winter will welcome a new lifetime sister, marking a fresh chapter for the aquarium’s dolphin family and the ongoing rehabilitation story that fans follow both on screen and in person.
From his early days in television to guiding a major feature, Yates describes the path of Dolphin Tale and the collaborative effort with Alcon, the production company behind the film. The partnership brought a level of involvement that felt both creative and practical, blending television storytelling with cinema scale. The Clearwater Aquarium team emphasizes that the shared focus on authenticity helped preserve the real events at the heart of the film, creating something that resonates with families across North America.
When asked about future projects, Yates confirms that nothing has been formally announced with Alcon yet, but there are intriguing possibilities on the horizon. In the meantime CMA continues to produce videos and is preparing a documentary for release in the coming months. Animals, especially dolphins, perform strongly on screen, and the team believes audiences will respond to additional stories like Winter’s in the future.
Regarding favorite films beyond Dolphin Tale, Yates mentions The Blind Side as a reference point because the real life angle adds a weighty emotional layer. He notes that audiences across North America respond strongly to the moment near the end when real rescue footage appears on screen, a moment that deepens the impact and makes the story feel grounded in actual events. The combination of drama and reality is what keeps the audience engaged and emotionally connected to Winter’s journey.
He also explains the film’s fidelity. Scriptwriters Karen Janszen and Charles Martin Smith, who helped shape the project, visited CMA to observe the dolphins’ environment and daily routines. They avoided rewriting the real events and focused on capturing the essential details to stay true to Winter’s story. The pool size and the feeding bottle used during rehab were kept consistent with reality, and the overall portrayal honors the true rehabilitation journey. The collaboration among the writers, Alcon, and CMA helped ensure the film reflected real life while delivering a compelling cinematic experience.
People seeking more information can turn to CMA’s website, which features a dedicated kids section and resources for teachers. The nonprofit’s mission centers on environmental education, and the Dolphin Tale project serves as a platform to educate young audiences about wildlife and the environment. It uses inspirational education to connect kids with topics about life, learning, and care for the natural world, offering activities and information suitable for classrooms and families alike.
In closing, the story of Winter extends beyond the screen. Dolphin Tale is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy, allowing families across North America to revisit Winter’s journey and learn more about CMA’s conservation work. The film continues to spark conversations about resilience, care for animals, and the importance of protecting marine habitats, inviting viewers to engage with real-world conservation through compelling storytelling.