All the Empty Rooms

A journalist and a photographer travel to towns scarred by school shootings to honor the rooms left empty. They document the spaces as they were at the moment of loss, then listen to families and neighbors who keep vigil through memory rather than absence. The film uses the stark emptiness of bedrooms as a quiet conduit for conversation about grief, resilience, and the long shadow of gun violence. Through intimate interviews and careful observation, it examines how a community marks what was taken, what remains, and how ordinary spaces become powerful memorials. The tone is restrained, inviting viewers to reflect without sensationalism, letting personal stories guide the emotional arc.

Directed by Joshua Seftel, the 2025 documentary is an original work built from field reporting and conversations with real people. It relies on intimate, unguarded footage and steady observational photography rather than narration. The cast includes Steve Hartman, Meryl Hartman, Bryan Muehlberger, Gloria Cazares, and Javier Cazares who appear as themselves, sharing memories and reactions to the rooms they knew.

Box office data for this limited release is not publicly available, reflecting its festival and streaming rollout rather than wide commercial numbers. The film likely reaches audiences through independent venues and online platforms rather than traditional theater chains.

As for awards there are no major nominations or wins publicly listed for All the Empty Rooms. The film has appeared mainly in festivals and online premieres, which often leads to limited award exposure. Its value may lie in sparking conversations about grief, memory, and community response to tragedy.

Reception and themes The film centers on memory and healing, using emptied rooms as a focal point for conversations about loss, gun violence, and how communities reconcile tragedy while preserving memories. It's regarded for its restrained tone and focus on personal testimony rather than sensational images, inviting viewers to reflect on the long term impact of school shootings and what it means to remember.