On set of "Mickey Hardaway", Marcellus Cox, Writer Director - Photo Credit: Jamil Gooding

A Future on the Mound—Duane Ervin as Jamarcus Rose Photo 2: A Mentor’s Moment—Stephen Cofield Jr. as Jasper with Duane Ervin as Jamarcus

Official Theatrical Poster—Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes, a Film by Marcellus Cox

Inspired by true events, Marcellus Cox’s searing short drama examines mentorship, Black youth and the promise stolen by gun violence

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10, 2026 — Films With A Purpose announces the weeklong theatrical engagement of the critically acclaimed, award-winning short film Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes, opening Friday, September 11th, and continuing through Thursday, September 17th, at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica. The film will screen daily at 3:15 p.m.

Before there were five bullet holes, there was a young man with a future. Jamarcus Rose, the gifted high school baseball player with talent to pursue the major leagues, a grandmother determined to protect him and a new mentor ready to help him navigate the difficult passage into adulthood. Inspired by true events, Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes asks audiences to see all that exists before a young life becomes a headline: the dreams, relationships, vulnerabilities and possibilities too often erased by the final act of violence.

Through the developing bond between Jamarcus and his mentor, Jasper, writer/director Marcellus Cox offers more than a story about gun violence. He delivers an intimate exploration of mentorship, Black manhood, grief and the courage it takes for young men to speak honestly about fear, loss and hope. The film demonstrates how one caring adult can help a young person recognize his worthwhile confronting the painful truth that talent and determination do not always shield young people from the dangers surrounding them.

For audiences, the film is an emotional experience that invites reflection, compassion and conversation long after its 23-minute running time. For journalists, it opens several timely avenues for coverage—from youth mentorship, gun-violence prevention to Black male vulnerability, independent filmmaking and the power of socially conscious cinema.

Above all, Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes transforms an urgent public issue into a deeply personal story, reminding us that behind every statistic is a life, in progress and a future deserving the chance to unfold.

The film stars Duane Ervin as Jamarcus Rose, Stephen Cofield Jr. as Jasper and Ruthie Austin as Esther, Jamarcus’ grandmother. Together, the cast brings emotional depth and authenticity to a story about family, loss, guidance and the urgent need to protect the dreams of young people.

Producer and founder of Films With A Purpose Sandra Evers-Manly helped bring the film’s socially conscious vision to the screen. Written and directed by Cox, the film has received recognition throughout its festival run, including 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.”

Synopsis
Inspired by true events, Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes follows a talented high school baseball prospect during his first day with Jasper, a mentor assigned to help guide him toward adulthood. What begins as an ordinary day becomes a meaningful exchange as the two begin building trust and speaking openly about grief, responsibility, vulnerability, fear and hope.

Jamarcus stands at the threshold of a promising future. He possesses extraordinary athletic talent and has the support of a devoted grandmother who wants to see him succeed. Yet the world around him carries dangers that talent and determination alone cannot overcome.

Tender, timely and ultimately devastating, the film examines the lasting influence of mentorship while confronting the fragility of young Black life in communities affected by gun violence. It is both a tribute to the promise within young people and an urgent call to recognize, guide and protect them before their dreams are reduced to statistics.

About Marcellus Cox - Writer Director
Marcellus Cox is an award-winning writer and director from Los Angeles, California, whose cinematic storytelling explores race, religion, politics and urgent social issues. His work is distinguished by dark, uncompromising themes that challenge audiences while creating greater understanding and compassion for the people at the center of difficult and often controversial subjects.

Cox’s films have screened at more than 100 international film festivals, received more than 150 international awards and appeared nationally on SHORTS TV, AspireTV’s Urban Indie Film Block, REVOLT TV’s Short & Fresh, African American Short Films, Crime + Investigation and PBS.

Cox made his feature directorial debut with Mickey Hardaway, which premiered in 2023 and screened at more than 20 international film festivals, earning 11 awards. The film received a 97 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 reviews.

With Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes, Cox continues his commitment to courageous, socially conscious filmmaking that looks beyond headlines and statistics to reveal the humanity, relationships and unrealized futures behind them.

Screening and Ticket Information:
Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes
Friday, September 11th–Thursday, September 17th, 2026
Daily screening: 3:15 p.m.

Laemmle Monica Film Center │1332 Second Street │Santa Monica, CA 90401
For tickets: Purchase tickets through Laemmle Theatres. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged.
Ticket Link: https://www.laemmle.com/film/jamarcus-rose-da-5-bullet-holes
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/cellus24

Interview Opportunities
Writer-director Marcellus Cox, producer Sandra Evers-Manly and members of the cast are available for select interviews about the film, its true-story inspiration, youth mentorship, Black male vulnerability, gun violence and the importance of socially conscious independent filmmaking.

To request an interview, review link, photographs or additional press materials, contact Sandra Evers-Manly at sandra@bherc.org or 310-284-3170.

About Films With A Purpose
Founded by Sandra Evers-Manly an award-winning producer, noted retired corporate executive, speaker, community activist and patron to African-American artists. Evers-Manly has been making a difference in diverse communities across the nation or more than 33 years. Films With Purpose champions diverse filmmakers whose stories can move audiences and inspire social change. Through funding, mentorship, creative guidance and impact strategy, FWP helps artists bring urgent stories to the screen, confront barriers in Hollywood and ensure the communities represented become meaningful partners and beneficiaries throughout the filmmaking journey.

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Sandra Evers-Manly
Films With A Purpose/BHERC
+1 310-284-3170
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