All the Empty Rooms is a 2025 American documentary short film directed and produced by Joshua Seftel. It follows Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they embark across the United States to memorialize the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings.Documentary 'All the Empty Rooms' examines the bedrooms of children killed in school shootings – MPR News on YouTube
All the Empty Rooms had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2025. Netflix released it globally on its streaming service on December 1. At the 98th Academy Awards, it was awarded the Best Documentary Short Film.
Premise Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp embark across the United States to memorialize the untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings.
Four children and their bedrooms were featured in the film: Hallie Scruggs, a victim of the 2023 Nashville school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee Dominic Blackwell, a victim of the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California Gracie Anne Muehlberger, also a victim of the Saugus High School shooting Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares, a victim of the Uvalde school shooting in Uvalde, Texas
The full project included four additional children who were not shown in the film. These included three victims of the Parkland high school shooting and one victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Release It had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2025. It also screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2025. Prior to its Telluride premiere, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film.
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Academy Awards March 15, 2026 Best Documentary Short Film All the Empty Rooms Hamptons International Film Festival October 13, 2025 Subject Matter Award
See also Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film Submissions for Best Documentary Short Academy Award
References
External links
Official trailer