Cherry Hill church to host film and talk on gun violence's effects

CHERRY HILL The Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill will host a screening of Shell Shocked, a film about the effects of gun violence on youth, followed by a panel discussion with teenagers from Camden.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be May 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church on Kings Highway.

The film is based in New Orleans and centers on the daily violence teens there encounter. Following the screening, the film's director, John Richie, will moderate a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with the teenagers from Camden, which often is ranked among the country's most dangerous cities.

The program is appropriate for ages 12 and up and could be upsetting to those who have witnessed or experienced gun violence, organizers say.

The film is the recipient of the Cultural Spirit Award at the 2013 New Hope Film Festival and the winner of the 2013 Chicago International Social Change Film Festival.

The event is copresented by the Coalition for Peace Action, Ceasefire New Jersey, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and the N.J. Million Mom March Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

- Julia Terruso