“Uvalde Mom” Makes Powerful Film Debut at SXSW 2025

“Uvalde Mom,” a documentary chronicling the story of Angeli Rose Gomez, made its world premiere at SXSW to a deeply moved audience on Monday. Directed by Anayansi Prado, the film follows Gomez, who in May 2022 rushed into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, during a mass shooting to rescue her two sons while hundreds of armed officers waited 77 minutes to intervene.

The film provided an intimate glimpse into Angeli Gomez’s complex journey before and after the shooting. Before that day, Gomez had already faced significant personal challenges, including an abusive relationship with her children’s father that led her to being charged with multiple felonies. After a video of her running out of Robb Elementary with her sons went viral, Gomez began speaking out against the police inaction, only to face harassment and intimidation from Uvalde law enforcement. 

The documentary captures disturbing moments of surveillance, including officers parking near her grandmother’s home where Gomez was staying, flashing headlights into the property, and quickly departing when confronted. Gomez continued to speak out despite threats that doing so could violate her probation and send her to prison. Throughout the film, Gomez is not portrayed as a perfect hero, but as a mother, determined to protect her children and seek accountability.

Building Trust with Angeli

The director described the process of connecting with Gomez, beginning with reaching out to her over social media.

Gomez responded to Prado with just a phone number and an address. It was enough for Prado to get on a plane to talk to Gomez.

 “And I told her, I said, you don’t have to trust me. I’m a complete stranger,” Prado said. “You just went through this tragedy. You just went through this media storm, but can you at least give me the chance to earn your trust?”

Prado earned Gomez’s trust to document her life after the tragedy. Gomez appreciated that the Prado didn’t start asking about the shooting right away, and instead focused on her background. 

“She just started asking about me,” Gomez said. “How are you? Did you grow up here?”

Gomez shared her initial hesitation to do the documentary, especially with all of the media frenzy due to police scrutiny that followed the tragedy.

 “I was in a part where I was already shut out from the world. I was hidden,” Gomez said. “I didn’t want to be bothered by social media. I didn’t want cops to know where I was.” 

Gomez attended the premiere alongside her two sons, who survived the shooting.

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Taking Care of One Another

In a notable approach to audience care, the film’s team arranged for mental health professionals to be present during the screening. Ana Rodriguez, from a local holistic mental health practice, led guests through a brief somatic exercise before the film began.

“This is a deeply powerful, raw, and deeply human film,” Rodriguez told the audience. “I want to invite you to move that energy in your head all the way down to your heart space. And that’s where I’m going to invite you to stay through the rest of this film, to watch this, to feel this through the heart space, not the head space.”

This trauma-informed approach highlighted the sensitive nature of the content and the ongoing impact of the tragedy on the Uvalde community and beyond.

Accountability and Advocacy

During the post-screening discussion, Tina Quintanilla read the names of the 19 children and two teachers who died at Robb Elementary. Quintanilla, who also had a child who survived the shooting, delivered a powerful call to action, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability in Uvalde County.

 “I think it’s time for us to be advocates of our futures and of these kids’ futures and the weak need to step out and let the strong step in,” Quintanilla said. “I urge you to please go out and tell others to view this film and to gain awareness of what is still happening in our community today.”

Prado emphasized that the Justice Department investigation found failures at multiple levels.

“There were 376 officers there that day,” Prado said. “Not to mention the line of command that should be held accountable as well, so let’s not forget about Uvalde.”

Upcoming Screenings

For those who missed the premiere, “Uvalde Mom” will screen again at Austin Film Society Cinema on March 11 at 5 p.m. and at the SXSW Film & TV Theater at The Hyatt Regency on March 14 at 6 p.m.

The SXSW premiere showcased the film’s power to contribute to ongoing conversations about gun violence, accountability, and community healing in Texas and beyond.

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