Snowdrops for the Bairns – an Award-Winning Documentary
by Gun Control Network on 19-03-2026
Press Release: 18 March 2026
Following the mass shooting at Dunblane Primary School 30 years ago, in which sixteen infant children and their teacher were killed, a campaign was launched to tighten our gun laws – within two years the private ownership of handguns had been banned. That success is the subject of a short documentary, ‘Snowdrops for the Bairns: How Scotland Saved the UK’s Children from America’s Fate’, recently made by US filmmaker, Donna Dees.
The film explores the aftermath of the Dunblane massacre and the movement that reshaped gun policy in the UK. It examines how collective action and political leadership produced lasting change and what that legacy means today. Through interviews with those directly involved, archival footage and policy analysis, Snowdrops for the Bairns tells the story of grassroots activism led by bereaved families, whose determination transformed grief and inspired the public to demand change. Central to the film is the symbolism of the Snowdrop, the only flower in bloom at the time of the tragedy.
“This film is not only about what happened after Dunblane, but about what was possible,” says director Donna Dees. “Scotland showed that mass gun violence is not inevitable. It is something societies can choose to prevent.” It comes at a time of renewed international debate over gun safety, and the role of government in preventing gun harm by prioritising public safety over the vested interests of the shooting industry.
The aim has been for the documentary to be screened at film festivals, and by non-profits in America, to spark discussion about lessons learned—and lessons ignored—three decades after Dunblane. The film has already been recognised with awards at festivals in the United States, England, Wales and Ireland.
- A screening of ‘Snowdrops for the Bairns’ is being held at The Macrobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling, on Saturday 21 March at 2.30 pm, and will be followed by a Panel Discussion on the Snowdrop Campaign, its Success and Legacy – the panel includes director Donna Dees, three of the film’s participants (Ellie Crozier, Jacqueline Walsh, Jim Cassidy) and Stephen McGinty and Niamh Kennedy, who were involved in the making of two recent TV documentaries. Tickets are available from the Macrobert Arts Centre (Macrobert Arts Centre)
- A Trailer for ‘Snowdrops for the Bairns’ is available for viewing on You Tube – Snowdrops for the Bairns Trailer