Jamarcus Rose short film opens Sept. 11 in Santa Monica

The award-winning short drama Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes begins a weeklong run at Laemmle Monica Film Center on Sept. 11, with daily 3:15 p.m. screenings through Sept. 17. Inspired by true events, the film centers on mentorship, Black youth and the toll of gun violence.

Why it matters: - The film turns gun violence into a personal story about a young Black athlete, mentorship and the fragile path from promise to adulthood. - The Santa Monica run gives audiences a chance to see a 23-minute short that has already drawn festival recognition and critical praise. - The release adds a timely entry to conversations about youth mentorship, Black male vulnerability and socially conscious independent filmmaking.

What happened: - Films With A Purpose announced a weeklong theatrical engagement of Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes. - The film opens Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, and runs through Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica, California. - Daily screenings are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. - Tickets are available through Laemmle Theatres, and advance purchases are encouraged. - A trailer is available at Vimeo.

The details: - Writer-director Marcellus Cox says the film was inspired by true events and follows Jamarcus Rose, a gifted high school baseball player with major-league potential. - The story also centers on Jamarcus’ grandmother, who wants to protect him, and Jasper, a mentor helping him navigate adulthood. - The film examines grief, responsibility, vulnerability, fear and hope as the two build trust. - Duane Ervin stars as Jamarcus Rose. - Stephen Cofield Jr. plays Jasper. - Ruthie Austin plays Esther, Jamarcus’ grandmother. - The film runs 23 minutes. - The film won the Vision Award at the Roxbury International Film Festival. - Festival appearances include Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Snake Alley Festival of Film and the Hip Hop Film Festival. - Film Threat critic Alan Ng praised Cox’s ability to pack “an entire world of emotion, meaning, and consequence into a short runtime.” - Amber Dowling of MovieMaker Magazine called it “an unbelievably powerful 23-minute short.” - Producer and founder of Films With A Purpose Sandra Evers-Manly helped bring the film’s socially conscious vision to the screen.

Between the lines: - The release frames the movie as more than a warning about violence; it positions mentorship as a practical force that can shape outcomes for young people. - The emphasis on Black manhood and Black male vulnerability suggests Cox is aiming at both emotional resonance and policy-relevant discussion. - The film’s festival circuit and review quotes signal that the theatrical run is being used to build audience attention beyond the festival audience. - The promotion of interview access points to a broader outreach effort around youth mentorship, gun-violence prevention and independent film coverage.

What's next: - The Santa Monica engagement continues through Sept. 17, with daily 3:15 p.m. screenings. - Cox, Evers-Manly and cast members are available for select interviews about the film and its themes. - Press materials, photographs and interview requests can be directed to Sandra Evers-Manly at sandra@bherc.org or 310-284-3170. - Films With A Purpose says it will continue supporting diverse filmmakers through funding, mentorship, creative guidance and impact strategy.

The bottom line: - Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes aims to make the consequences of gun violence feel immediate, human and impossible to ignore.