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WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

Inside Access Behind & Beyond the Headlines of Columbine. PLEASE Help us through Post Production.

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WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

WE ARE COLUMBINE Documentary Film

Inside Access Behind & Beyond the Headlines of Columbine. PLEASE Help us through Post Production.

Inside Access Behind & Beyond the Headlines of Columbine. PLEASE Help us through Post Production.

Inside Access Behind & Beyond the Headlines of Columbine. PLEASE Help us through Post Production.

Inside Access Behind & Beyond the Headlines of Columbine. PLEASE Help us through Post Production.

Lioness Productions
Lioness Productions
Lioness Productions
Lioness Productions
1 Campaign |
Littleton, United States
$6,957 USD 61 backers
4% of $160,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
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SUPPORTER

$5 USD
Est. Shipping
August 2016
0 claimed

STORYTELLER

$15 USD
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September 2015
0 claimed

CHRONICLER

$25 USD
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October 2015
5 claimed

SCENEMAKER

$75 USD
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March 2016
2 claimed

PROCLAIMER

$100 USD
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March 2016
7 claimed

NARRATOR

$250 USD
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March 2016
3 claimed

CHANGEMAKER

$500 USD
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March 2016
0 claimed

CREATOR

$1,000 USD
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May 2016
1 claimed

PRESENTER

$2,500 USD
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ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

$5,000 USD
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May 2016
0 out of 10 of claimed

PRODUCER

$15,000 USD
0 out of 5 of claimed

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

$30,000 USD
0 out of 5 of claimed


There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. 

- Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

This film stems from a defining moment in my life, April 20, 1999. I was a freshman at Columbine High School. I was in the cafeteria. In the years since, all of us from the Columbine community have had to deal with that trauma. I made this documentary with four of my classmates who were willing to go back to Columbine and share their personal experiences. It’s our story told by us, not by outside observers. There’s no agenda, no political agenda. It’s not an investigation of a crime. It’s not trying to present these stories as factual events. It’s our individual memories, our truths. It’s about what we are saying, as much as it is about the fact that we are saying it.  - Laura Farber



WE ARE COLUMBINE is a documentary film highlighting the stories of Amy, Gus, Jaimi and Zach, freshmen students who survived the mass shooting that took place at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. More than 15 years after this life-altering event, this film sensitively captures these classmates' deeply personal and unique perspectives.

The film acknowledges residual trauma, but also highlights four individual journeys toward healing and engaging with life. By carefully honoring each person's experience--via a return visit to Littleton and intimate one-on-one interviews--this film shares a deeply personal look at the inherent complexity of a life impacted by violence and loss at a young age. 

Offering a unique perspective, the filmmaker is also a fellow-survivor of the tragedy. After 15 years, these Columbine alumni feel like they have a safe outlet to tell their stories: Honestly, uncensored, and in their own words. 


Columbine alumni trace their feelings as the film reaches back, through, and ultimately forward, exploring what happened on April 20, 1999.

"We learned to live together because we were all under the same microscope." - Gus 

"I think when you’re in high school, you just wanna fit in. And this is something that really made you stand out." - Jaimi

"When did it get back to normal?  It never did. We had to redefine what normal is." - Mr De, Principal of Columbine High School

"I think the benefits of people hearing our stories, what a fourteen year old freshman how they carry that with them, what that looks like.  And for me, what a teacher on that day.  It’s not just Columbine an event, it's people, it's kids and adults that were here." - Kiki (Mr. Leyba), Teacher at Columbine High School


THE IMPACT

These stories--the accounts of actual survivors who lived behind and beyond the headlines--need to be heard. 

"We are Columbine" offers unprecedented access and an insider's perspective on the healing power of shared stories. Though each story told is unique, they all share common bonds of tragedy and trauma, hope and healing, connection and isolation, darkness and light.

"Owning our story can be hard but not as nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy -- the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." - Brené Brown

Like so many modern age tragedies, in the hours, weeks, and months that followed, Columbine anguish made for instant primetime highlights. By the evening of April 20th, students had a first taste of what would become a well-earned mistrust of how the media tells personal stories. Their reality far exceeds standard media perceptions, most often portrayed by screaming headlines and sensational updates on the “Columbine Massacre.”

HELP US MOVE THIS FILM TO THE NEXT PHASE

Currently, we are in post-production and need to raise significant funds (approx. $160,000) in order to complete the film and get it out into the world.

As a result of 4 years of passionate commitment and uncompensated work contributed by our creative team, we currently have a solid 100-minute rough cut of the film, a finished teaser trailer, a website and social media presence. These are all major accomplishments without an outside budget.

We are chomping at the bit to finish post-production, in preparation for the film's debut. Post-production is an expensive stage of the process, one that requires specific expertise in order to execute successfully. Every penny of the requested funds raised will go towards this goal. The breakdown of primary expenses below includes the entire post-production and finishing process: 

Yes, this is a lofty goal. Please know that your donation matters. In the event we do not reach our goal, we have committed to reevaluating the budget in order to move forward with editing and putting out the best product with what we have. However, these are real estimates from the industry for the quality film we want to make.  

As soon as the film is ready, OUR goal is to release it to as wide an audience as possible. We are committed to sharing these stories and will keep moving forward to increase visibility and access for this project. 

Why? 

We believe that a better understanding of how children/teens respond to trauma is critically important to our society and is best learned through hearing about first-hand experiences, rather than through the lens of the media.

Giving voice to how residents of Columbine--specifically teachers, students and their parents--have coped since this crisis, while continuing to struggle and to heal, will create a much-needed shift in the perception of our community by outsiders. 

It will also affirm and give critical visibility to our shared experiences and identity. 

Please watch the trailer and if you would like to see this film progress and be completed, contribute as you are able. 

We are excited for this next phase in the life of this project. 

~ We Are Columbine


READ SOME OF THE INITIAL RESPONSES FROM ALUMNI:

 "... I am so proud of the way you are re-telling - the right way! - our Columbine story. Just the trailer moves me to tears. Well done and thank you! Wishing you much success." - Class of 2002

"I was a freshman at Columbine in 1999 and I was glad to see a movie focus on this class… where it can be watched. I would love to see it."

"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for putting together this film. I am so glad that we can finally tell the world our story first hand. No media. No filter! Thank you!"  –Class of 2002

"I was a sophomore at Columbine when the shooting happened…The trailer captures a great deal of what I have been living with…"


Can't contribute financially right now? 

No worries...there are so many ways you can help our cause:

1. Spread the word: Talk to family and friends about this campaign

2. Share this campaign on social media

3. Visit and share our website: WE ARE COLUMBINE FILM

4. Sign-up for our mailing list: HERE


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