Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Wins Oscar for Documentary Short

Kerr was an executive producer for "All the Empty Rooms," which chronicles how families have memorialized the bedrooms of children killed in mass shootings.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:21pm

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is now an Oscar winner. Kerr was one of the executive producers for the documentary short film "All the Empty Rooms," which won the Oscar on Sunday night. The 35-minute film tells the stories of how families have memorialized the bedrooms of children killed in mass shootings. Kerr, whose father was shot and killed in 1984, has long been an advocate for common-sense gun regulation.

Why it matters

Kerr's involvement in this Oscar-winning documentary short highlights his continued advocacy for gun violence prevention and his desire to give a voice to the families impacted by these tragedies. The film provides a poignant and dignified look at how these families honor their children's memories.

The details

The documentary film "All the Empty Rooms" was directed by Joshua Seftel and chronicled how broadcast journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp told the stories of how families have memorialized the bedrooms of children killed in mass shootings. Kerr, who has spoken out about the need for gun regulation, was asked to be an executive producer on the project about a year ago and agreed without hesitation.

  • The film won the Oscar for documentary short on March 12, 2026.
  • Kerr learned of the win in his family's group text, as the Warriors had a game that night.

The players

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who has been an outspoken advocate for gun violence prevention after his father was killed in 1984.

Joshua Seftel

The director of the Oscar-winning documentary short "All the Empty Rooms."

Gloria Cazares

The mother of a 9-year-old girl killed in the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, who spoke on stage at the Oscars ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“What mattered to me right away was how the film listens to families. It gives them room to speak about their children without exploiting their stories into politics or spectacle. There's a dignity in that choice, which is difficult to find in the way our country usually talks about gun violence.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

“My daughter Jackie was 9 years old when she was killed in Uvalde. Since that day, her bedroom has been frozen in in time. Jackie is more than just a headline. She is our light and our life. Gun violence is now the No. 1 cause of death in kids and teens. We believe that if the world could see their empty bedrooms, we'd be a different America.”

— Gloria Cazares, Mother of Uvalde Shooting Victim

What’s next

Kerr plans to continue using his platform to advocate for gun violence prevention and support projects that give a voice to impacted families.

The takeaway

Steve Kerr's involvement in the Oscar-winning documentary short "All the Empty Rooms" underscores his longstanding commitment to addressing gun violence and honoring the memories of those lost to these tragedies. The film provides a powerful and dignified look at how families cope with unimaginable loss.