About the Film

Thank you for this opportunity to share my Fentanyl High documentary film! Shot and edited over 14 months, Fentanyl High digs behind the social media facades to reveal what high school teens honestly think deep down about the fentanyl epidemic, how teens today are dealing with their emotional pain in school and at home, why they are self-medicating and what can be done to prevent these tragedies, as well the first-hand experiences of paramedics, government officials, doctors, and parents whose teens have died from fentanyl poisoning.

 

The first screening of Fentanyl High was on May 16, 2023 at the Los Gatos High School Theater to a sold-out audience of more than 400 people. Following the screening of the film, there was a Panel Discussion, with members of the cast, experts on fentanyl poisoning, parents of teens who have died from fentanyl poisoning, school administrators and members of the community. Following the screening, on the Fentanyl High website, members of the audience submitted critical feedback about the film’s content, structure, style, and emotional impact.

 

I listened to the audience feedback and had conversations with many high school students to finalize the film into a full-length 60 minutes feature documentary which then premiered on December 6, 2023 at the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre in downtown Los Gatos to a sold-out audience with a 240+ waiting list. I hope that this can be the beginning of real conversations with more teens coming together to figure this one out. 

 

Kyle Santoro

December 2023