Sallie's Ashes, a Powerful Alabama Documentary About Coal Ash, Courage, and the Wisdom of Age in Action
Sallie's Ashes, a documentary
After an Alabama Public Radio story of our community's fight for the complete removal of Plant Barry’s coal ash, compassionate and visionary leaders sought out to visually tell Sallie's story. With Daniel Junge and Allison Bohl-Dehart as the film's producers, and Brennan Robideaux as director, this incredibly talented crew created the powerful 40-minute documentary short, Sallie's Ashes, honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of the Coal Ash Action Group's founder, Sallie Smith. Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival and making its Alabama debut at the 2025 Fairhope Film Festival, the film chronicles Sallie's passion and commitment to fighting for the health of the Mobile Bay, even while battling terminal cancer. It documents her founding of the South Alabama Coal Ash Action Group and how she led the final, vital effort to rally our community and demand the removal of the toxic coal ash pit that threatens our beloved Bay. We are proud to share this tribute to her unstoppable spirit and the essential movement she began.
Upcoming Film Screenings
Check often for updates.
December 9, 2025 6:00 – 7:30
Fairhope Public Library
Giddons Room
January 29, 2026. 6:00- 7:30
Spanish Fort Community Center
Daphne Public Library
TBA soon
Foley Public Library
TBA soon
Mobile, Alabama Locations
TBA soon
Other Areas of Alabama
Actively working on scheduling
We are actively working to bring Sallie’s Ashes to all areas of Alabama. If you would like a free screening, contact us at Move.the.Ash@gmail.com
PRESS RELEASE
November 6, 2025 - For Immediate Release
Contact: COAL ASH ACTION GROUP
Move.The.Ash@gmail.com
“Sallie’s Ashes” Documentary Shines Light on Alabama Grandmothers Fighting Toxic Coal Ash Threat
MONTROSE, AL — Sallie’s Ashes, a documentary about the late Sallie Smith’s passion about Mobile Bay and the safe removal of a toxic coal ash pond, will debut in Alabama at the Fairhope Film Festival on November 13, 2025. At the Telluride Film Festival, this documentary was world premiered and is a nominee for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards 2025.
The Coal Ash Action Group (CAAG), founded in 2022 by the late Sallie Smith, continues to carry forward her vision: the safe removal of this massive toxic coal ash pond threatening the Mobile River, Mobile Bay, and the treasured Tensaw Delta—known as “America’s Amazon.”
At age 80, while facing terminal cancer, Sallie Smith rallied fellow Alabama grandmothers to take on one of the state’s most urgent environmental battles. Together, they formed CAAG to demand accountability from Alabama Power’s Plant Barry, where 21 million tons of coal ash—laden with carcinogens, neurotoxins, and other hazardous pollutants—sit in an unlined pond just 20 miles upstream from Mobile Bay.
Over the past two years, CAAG has:
• Delivered presentations to civic and environmental groups across Alabama
• Hosted community information tents at festivals and public events
• Participated in Environmental Protection Agency hearings
• Built a grassroots base of more than 1,500 petition signers and subscribers to their Move the Ash updates
Their work has drawn national attention. An interview with Alabama Public Radio’s Cori Yonge was picked up by National Public Radio, catching the ear of an Oscar- and Emmy-winning producer. That connection led to the creation of “Sallie’s Ashes,” a moving 40-minute documentary about Sallie Smith’s final months, in which she transformed personal struggle into a campaign for environmental justice. Although Sallie passed away on October 27, 2023, her spirit continues to inspire.
Additional film premieres and screenings include the Hawai’i International Film Festival, the Hamptons International Film Festival, the New Orleans Film Festival along with upcoming free community showings in partnership with The League of Women Voters Baldwin County and other organizations beginning in December.