Almost 2 years ago, we helped put out the call for extras for a re-enactment of the opening of Revenge of the Sith. This was for a film by Adam Kargman that takes a look at the Columbine school shooting and imagines the lives of the victims had the tragedy not occurred. One such victim, Steven Curnow, was a die-hard Star Wars fan, hence our minor connection to the subject matter. Star Wars fans or not, too many people lost their lives senselessly a decade ago and this short film pays tribute to those who passed rather than those who did the shooting. See below for the press release:



Paying Tribute to Thirteen Worth Remembering

Film Explores What Lives of Murdered Columbine Victims Might Have Been Like

LOS ANGELES – What would the lives of the murdered Columbine victims have been like if they hadn’t been cut short? That’s the subject explored in Reunion, a short film premiereing at the LA Shorts Fest on July 28. Set around a ten-year high school reunion, the film uses visually charged flashbacks to pay tribute to each of the thirteen victims. The film’s release coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Columbine tragedy.

“I wanted to make a film about school shooting tragedies,” explains writer-director Adam Kargman, “In the course of researching the Columbine Massacre, I read all about the victims, and I thought it was sad that practically everyone can tell you who Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were, but few can tell you the name of anyone they murdered.” Kargman conducted extensive research about each of the victims. Real-life details, ranging from career ambitions to favorite cars, were then incorporated into the film. Reunion was shot in Southern California and Littleton, Colorado over a five-month period.

The cast includes actors Derek Armstrong, who is the cousin of Columbine victim Matt Kechter (whom he plays in the film); Blair Williamson, a professional actor with Down syndrome, who plays victim Kyle Velasquez (who was developmentally disabled); and commercial actress Kelly Marchand (Cassie Bernall), who is currently the “Miss Horrorfest” spokeswoman for After Dark Films. Cinematographer Dustin Johnson shot the film’s HD cinematography. The music was composed by Regan Remy, a popular Los Angeles musician who attended Columbine High School and performs under the name The High Priestess.

Director Adam Kargman attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. His prior short film credits include Repressions, starring Emmy-winning actress Sharon Case; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation award-winner Atrocity; and the horror film Anesthesia, which won two international film festivals.

LA Shorts Fest is the largest short film festival in the world. As one of the few festivals officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, 33 festival films have received Oscar nominations, with 11 winning the coveted Oscar statue.

Reunion is also available on DVD through Amazon.com. Roundhay Garden Films is a Los Angeles-based production company. For more information, please visit www.roundhaygarden.com and www.lashortsfest.com.


Thanks Adam! Good luck with your film.