As a community prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School, two award-winning journalists reflect on their coverage of the event and its long-term effects. Meanwhile, community members remember their lost loved ones amid unrelenting media attention - until, three days before the anniversary, a new threat puts the community on high alert. Thoughts and Prayers explores how people remember the day of the shooting and how they navigated media coverage of the event, from both sides of the camera. Set against the lead-up to the event’s 20th anniversary, the film follows journalists and survivors as they reflect on the past two decades and strive to spread a message of hope. Intimate access allows viewers into the lives of individuals impacted by the tragedy as they deal with the new wave of media attention brought to town by the anniversary.
In conjunction with the production of this film, the filmmaker also conducted extensive research for a graduate thesis on a similar topic, titled "A Content Analysis of Word Choice in Social Media News Coverage of Mass Shootings." To view the academic research, click
here.
Recognitions for this film:
Stronger Than Fiction Festival 2020 - Winner of Jury Prize for Best Director
First Look 2020/21 (at Museum of the Moving Image) - Official Selection
Best Shorts Competition - Winner of Award of Merit in Documentary Short category & Award of Merit in Women Filmmakers category
Student Academy Awards - Semifinalist
Impact DOCS! Awards - Winner of Award of Merit in Documentary Short category & Award of Merit in Women Filmmakers category
The Hollywood First-Time Filmmaker Showcase - Official Selection
FLICKFAIR Film Festival - Official Selection
Dumbo Film Festival - semifinalist
jellyFEST Season 6 - Official Selection
St. Louis International Film Festival - Official Selection
Front Range International Film Festival - Official Selection
PressThe Monroe Times: "MHS Alumna Takes Home Film Award"
The Columbia Missourian: "Stronger Than Fiction Returns Saturday"
Missouri School of Journalism: "Recent Journalism School Alumna's Documentary Named a Semi Finalist in Student Academy Awards"
Missouri School of Journalism: "Congratulations to Sarah Sabatke, BJ '18, MA '20"
Show Me Missouri: "Films Produced by J School Students Headed to St. Louis International Film Festival"
Method Film FilmsIMDBCinema St. Louis
