Two years after the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history, leaving 17 dead and 17 others wounded, the painful and traumatic memories the Parkland survivors took with them are documented in a new film from AFI Conservatory graduate, director Jeff Vespa.
Voices of Parkland is a powerful new documentary which explores that tragic shooting on February 14, 2018, when 17 students and teachers were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Inspired by the brave survivors, Vespa traveled to Florida to interview the students, teachers, and parents of the victims, capturing over 35 testimonials.
By interweaving their stories, Vespa has created a raw first-person account of the tragedy and its immediate aftermath. The film had its LA premiere last Wednesday at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles
Two survivors featured in the Judd Apatow-produced documentary — student Kai Koerber and April Schentrup, mother of 16-year-old victim Carmen Schentrup — attended the premiere event and participated in a Q&A panel onstage after the screening, discussing memories of the tragic day.
Shepard Fairey and Tony Hawk spoke onstage before the film about their support for gun control and donated t-shirts, art prints and skateboards. Other celebrities attending included Jason Segel, Andie MacDowell, Minka Kelly, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, Erika Christensen, Sasha Alexander and Jason Mewes.
Event partners included gun-control organization Brady and its youth program, Team ENOUGH, the quarterly publication LALA magazine and social video news brand NowThis.
Below is a gallery from the red carpet premiere courtesy of Devars Photography:
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Voices of Parkland, is directed by Jeff Vespa and executive produced by Judd Apatow. Proceeds from the film premiere — including special merchandise created by artist Shepard Fairey — will generously go to Brady and the organization’s work to end gun violence.
