While attending the Dallas International Film Festival, we had the opportunity to speak with Executive Producer Sue Loncar and Director-Producer-Writer Marcia Carroll of the documentary “Losing Grace Finding Hope.”
If we inspire or save a single life, then the making if this documentary will be worth it!
– Director/Producer/Writer Marcia Carroll
Sue Loncar is the Founder and CEO of The Grace Loncar Foundation, a nonprofit organization she established in memory of her 16-year-old daughter, Grace, who tragically died by suicide in 2016.
Through the foundation, Sue executive-produced the poignant documentary “Losing Grace Finding Hope,” which is now making its rounds on the film festival circuit. By sharing her personal journey from heartbreak to purpose, Sue aims to increase awareness of mental health issues, combat the stigma around mental illness, and ultimately save lives. Her work with the foundation earned her the “Charity Award” at the 2023 You Can Live Again Gala held at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five high school students will seriously contemplate suicide.
Sue Loncar’s youngest daughter, Grace, tragically died by suicide at age 16. Days later, her husband, Brian Loncar, a well-known Dallas attorney known as “The Strong Arm” in his advertisements, also passed away.
Sue Loncar believes it’s time for a new conversation about depression, which is why she is sharing her family’s story. Sue’s goal is to support others through her documentary “Losing Grace Finding Hope,” which she hopes will provide guidance to other families and teenagers coping with the impact of suicide and loss.
“Our family was everything to me,” Sue Loncar explained. “We had six kids, and we took great pride in our tribe and our family.”
Grace Loncar, the youngest of six, held a central place in the family.
“Grace was clever, very sarcastic, and mature for her age, likely because she was the youngest of six,” Sue Loncar shared.
Grace attended the esteemed Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, excelling as an actress and aspiring to move to New York to pursue her passion for performing.
“Grace was such a talented actress that she seemed to spend much of her life performing,” her mother reflected.
Sue’s background includes serving as the Founder and Artistic Director of The Contemporary Theater of Dallas, which operated for fourteen vibrant seasons. Sue’s contributions to the Dallas-Fort Worth theater scene have been widely recognized by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum, the Dallas Theatre League, and D Magazine.
Her ongoing dedication to showcasing local talent and supporting artists in the area highlights her enduring passion for the arts, and she continues to play an influential role in the DFW arts community.
Trailer for Documentary LINK
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