Filmmaker and producer Tony Armer has announced the feature film, Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate, will be shot entirely in Key West, Florida, beginning January 2026. To the production’s knowledge, this will be the first full-length feature filmed entirely in Key West in recent memory. While Film and TV series occassionaly film a few scenes in Key West, none have shot an entire feature film on location there in over 20 years.
The supernatural horror-comedy blends pirate mythology, ghost stories, and the eccentric island energy that makes the Keys world-famous. The film follows a local waitress, ghost tour guide, and an unlucky tourist who accidentally awaken a ghostly curse tied to the legendary pirate Anne Bonny, unleashing mayhem, mystery, and humor across Key West.
The production is proud to announce the attachment of its three lead actors and cinematographer. Leading the cast is Gina Vitori as Mary Read, known for her standout performances in The Salem Chronicles, Monster, and the hit Star Wars TV series Ahsoka.
Melissa Chick stars as Anne Bonny, bringing her acclaimed work from the Paramount+ series Landman and Lioness.
Jeremy King joins the cast as Christie, fresh off the cult-favorite Scare Package films on the horror streaming platform Shudder, as well as his roles in Apple TV+’s Bad Monkey and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
Brandon D. Hyde, a North Carolina–based cinematographer who previously worked extensively in Tampa, brings his signature atmospheric visual style to Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate. Together, this ensemble brings genre credibility, rising-star talent, and cinematic depth to the film’s unique blend of horror and comedy.
Key West
“I’ve always had a great affinity for Key West,” said Tony Armer. “I lived and worked in Marathon years ago to make money for college, and I’ve attended and sponsored the Key West Film Festival many times. I’ve built wonderful relationships in the Keys over the years, and it’s such a unique and beautiful backdrop, so cinematic, that I wanted to bring it to the screen. This fun horror-comedy film felt like the perfect avenue to do it.”
Tony Armer is an award-winning filmmaker, industry executive, and Head of Production for Talon Entertainment. He is the co-founder of the Sunscreen Film Festival, which celebrated its 20th year in 2025, and Vice President of Film USA, the national association of U.S. film commissions. A longtime industry leader and former Dallas and St. Petersburg–Clearwater Film Commissioner, Armer’s films have been theatrically distributed and screened at festivals worldwide, earning numerous awards and acclaim.
Filming & Local Involvement
The production will film entirely on location in Key West, showcasing the island’s iconic scenery and local culture. Armer and his team are committed to hiring local crew and cast members from the Florida Keys.
Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate is a supernatural horror-comedy that fuses Key West’s quirky charm with adventure, humor, and classic ghost-story thrills. The film is written and directed by Tony Armer and produced in partnership with iHorror. The team is composed of Executive Producers; Steve Demmler, Mark Rankin, Dr. Robert Nucci, and James Marcus. Producers; Anthony Pernicka, Cameron Brumbelow, Chuck Ardezzone, and Mark Pulaski.
Anthony Pernicka, CEO and founder of iHorror, serves as a producer on Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate. This marks the first feature film produced under the iHorror banner, expanding the brand’s influence beyond digital publishing and social media into film production.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this project,” said Pernicka. “Key of Bones perfectly captures the kind of imaginative, fan-driven storytelling that iHorror audiences love. Bringing that energy to a full-length film shot in such an iconic place like Key West is incredibly exciting.”
Follow along behind the scenes as filming begins here!
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