Experiencing Interruptions?

Losing Grace Finding Hope

Surviving Suicide: A Mother's Journey from Pain to Purpose.

  • MARCIA CARROLL
    DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
  • SUE LONCAR
    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
  • Marcia Carroll
    Writer
  • Marcia Carroll
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 23 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    95,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Red
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • FERRARA FILM FESTIVAL
    Ferrara
    Italy
    September 27, 2024
    Italian Premiere
    BEST DOCUMENTARY
  • PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL
    Portland
    United States
    October 18, 2024
    Oregon Premiere
    Audience Choice Award
  • WRPN WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

    May 21, 2024
    OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE IN DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Distribution Information
  • AMAZON PRIME
  • APPLE TV
  • TUBI
  • YOUTUBE
  • PLEX
  • FILMZIE
  • RELAY
  • FUTURE TODAY
Director Biography

Marcia believes in living spherically…. artistically, professionally and personally. Following the success of her SAG Short film, JADED, she just completed directing & producing her first Documentary Feature, LOSING GRACE FINDING HOPE -- the story from which JADED was inspired about the tragic death of Dallas teen Grace Loncar; a story that made headlines. Both projects seek to spread awareness about the growing epidemic of suicide by shining a light on the loved ones left behind. It’s important to note that seven roles were led by women on the set of LOSING GRACE FINDING HOPE, in addition to the many women serving The Grace Loncar Foundation who commissioned the making of it.

As a former news writer/associate producer/undercover investigator for both CBS and NBC News, show host for the QVC Shopping Channel, community columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and acting veteran, she values most her decade-long involvement as an actor and board member for the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. She studied with Broadway Director Terry Schreiber at his NYC studio, Beatrice Straight and Jim Boerlin at Michael Chekhov Acting Studio, and at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Marcia is a proud member of AEA/SAG-AFTRA/WIFD/WIFTI, and is always open to artistic collaborations & inquiries from like-minded creatives.

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Director Statement

When my friend, Sue Loncar -- CEO & Founder of The Grace Loncar Foundation -- approached me about directing a documentary about the tragic loss of her 16-year-old daughter, I wasn’t confident anyone could bring justice to this family’s devastating loss or the domino effect it ignited.

Even though suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it concerned me that society was desensitized to the subject matter for that very reason. The question became, who could tell this story authentically in a way that would resonate? And the answer agreed upon was that it needed to be someone who loved Grace, who cared deeply about the cause, and who knew how to weave a story in movie form.

Now two years later, it’s my heartfelt hope that anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide will be inspired by this family’s remarkable journey and realize that surviving and thriving after the death of a loved one to suicide is possible.

For anyone struggling with mental illness, I hope that by witnessing the depth of loss experienced, they will recognize that the fight for life is worth it.

As Sue Loncar states in the film, “The most I can do is try to give purpose to my pain, and purpose to her death, and make her life count.” I believe the sharing of this story will do just that.