Movie Screening

Que up a film.

There are a range of powerful films that explore gun violence, its impact, and the role of young people and communities in driving change. Choose one that fits your audience and the kind of conversation you want to have.

UsKids: Follows the early leaders of March For Our Lives, showing how grief turned into one of the largest youth-led movements in U.S. history. (16+)

After Parkland: Tracks the lives of students and families in the year after the shooting, highlighting both personal healing and sustained advocacy. (16+)

All The Empty Rooms (2026 Oscar Winner!): Centers on preserved bedrooms of young victims, using physical space to show the lasting absence left behind. (PG-13)

The Interrupters: Documents community violence intervention workers in Chicago who mediate conflicts and prevent shootings in real time. (not rated)

Thoughts & Prayers: This documentary captures the impact of the $3 billion active shooter preparedness industry on schools and communities across America. (TV-MA)

Charm City: Explores Baltimore’s gun violence crisis through the lives of residents, activists, and city officials working toward solutions. (TV-MA)

16 Shots: Breaks down the police killing of Laquan McDonald and the systems that allowed it to happen. (TV-14)

Fruitvale Station: A dramatized account of Oscar Grant’s killing, focusing on his life and humanity rather than just his death. (view with caution, rated R)

Boyz n the Hood: A foundational film showing how environment, policy, and systemic neglect shape cycles of community violence. (view with caution, rated R)

If Beale Street Could Talk: While not about gun violence directly, it powerfully illustrates how systems of injustice impact families and communities. (view with caution, rated R)

Bowling for Columbine: Examines America’s relationship with gun culture and fear. (view with caution, rated R)

Newtown: Focuses on the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting through the voices of families and community members. (not rated)

The Hate U Give: A narrative film centered on a young girl navigating activism after witnessing police violence. (PG-13)

Location is key.

Where you host your screening shapes how people experience it.

You can watch a film anywhere, but the goal is to create a space where people feel comfortable staying, reflecting, and talking afterward. Think about your audience, your group size, and the kind of conversation you want to have.

Potential locations:

• School classroom — great for student groups and structured discussions
• Local library — accessible, neutral space that can attract a broader audience
• Community center — ideal for larger or more public gatherings
• Living room or apartment — more personal, better for smaller groups and deeper conversation

Make sure your setup works for the group. People should be able to see, hear, and stay engaged without distractions. Just as important, choose a space where people can linger after the film ends.

Organize event logistics.

Be intentional about timing and turnout. The goal is to make it easy for people to show up and stay engaged.

Choose a day and time that works for your audience. If you’re inviting students, aim for after school or evenings. If it’s a broader community group, weekends may work better.

Create simple invitations and share them where your audience already is. Group chats, Instagram, email lists, and word of mouth all work. Ask people to RSVP so you have a sense of how many to expect and can plan your space accordingly.

Plan for the full flow of the event, not just the film. Build in time for people to arrive, settle in, watch, and stay afterward for conversation.

Set the tone.

Before the film starts, take a minute to ground the room.

Let people know why you’re hosting, what they’re about to watch, and what will happen after. This helps people engage more intentionally and prepares them for heavier content.

You can keep it simple:

• Share why this film matters to you
• Acknowledge that the topic can be emotional
• Let people know there will be a conversation afterward

This moment sets expectations and makes the space feel more intentional, not passive.

Start the conversation.

A facilitated discussion is what turns a screening into something meaningful.

Do not rush this. Give people space to process, reflect, and share. Your role is not to lecture, but to guide the conversation and keep it grounded.

Sample questions (for All The Empty Rooms):

• What do the “empty rooms” represent beyond physical spaces?
• What emotions came up for you while watching?
• Why does it matter to humanize victims instead of relying on statistics?
• What moment stayed with you the most and why?

You can also ask:

• What felt closest to your own life or community?
• What responsibility do we have after seeing this?

Let there be pauses. Some of the most important moments come from silence.

Move people to action.

A screening should not end with conversation. It should lead somewhere.

Before people leave, give them a clear and immediate way to act on what they just felt and discussed. Make it specific and easy to follow through on.

Examples:

• Join the MFOL Action Hub
• Sign up for an upcoming campaign or event
• Connect with a local organizing effort or partner group
• Plan a follow-up meeting, training, or second screening
• Bring this screening to another group or community

Be direct: “If this moved you, here’s what you can do next.”

If possible, have people take that step in the room, not later. When people leave without acting, they usually don’t come back to it.