An invitation to British and Irish anti nuclear groups to show a film 'SOS – The San Onofre Syndrome'

Posted: 17th April 2025

Dear Richard Outram,

We are grateful for the work you do at Nuclear Free Local Authorities to address the problems caused by civil and nuclear hazards that is in sync with our efforts to address nuclear waste.

California-based, award-winning filmmakers James Heddle, Mary Beth Brangan, and Morgan Peterson’s timely and urgent documentary film SOS | THE SAN ONOFRE SYNDROME focuses on environmental justice and nuclear power’s legacy.

The film chronicles how a local Southern California community came together to force the shutdown of an aging nuclear power plant after learning it could cause catastrophic damage.

However, shortly after the successful shutdown of the plant, the community was confronted by an alarming reality: What to do with the nuclear waste that—with radioactivity lasting millions of years—menaces present and future generations.

The film portrays San Onofre as a microcosm of this global problem – the mismanagement of lethal radioactive waste lasting millennia.  It’s a syndrome shared by every nuclear reactor site across the world.

View the trailer and learn more here:  https://sanonofresyndrome.com/trailer     

The related Press Kit can be found at: https://sanonofresyndrome.com/press-kit

THE SAN ONOFRE SYNDROME is a distress signal – an SOS – warning that the tons of intensely radioactive waste piling up on nuclear power sites is putting communities at grave risk.

SOS, The San Onofre Syndrome film showcases both the issue and best current practices that we can draw lessons from to address it.

The filmmakers will be traveling through Ireland and the U.K. in July.

We would like to offer campaign groups the possibility to host a screening of the film followed by an in-person discussion with the filmmakers in order to:

·       raise awareness

·       raise funds [host and/or join fundraising events]

·       activate your community

·       join a worldwide movement

Should July not be feasible to host a screening and Q&A, the filmmakers could make themselves available to address your audience online.

We offer a sliding scale – for whatever the organization can manage for a screening fee plus honorarium if any participation by the filmmakers.

Here are suggested fees:

Maximum of the sliding scale:

250 £ as screening fees and 500 £ for the filmmakers participation online, 1000 £ in person.

However, fees are negotiable with groups with a will to show the film, but with limited means. The filmmakers are willing to have a frank discussion about fees with any activist groups, as ‘ultimately we want to get it seen’ They would also be delighted to receiving viewers’ feedback, photos and reports after any screening.

Together we can create a safer, maintainable, and retrievable storage system across the world.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Circulated on behalf of the filmmakers by:

Richard Outram, BA (Hons),

Secretary, UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities and 

Secretary, UK/Ireland Mayors for Peace Chapter,

C/o City Policy, Manchester City Council

Email: [email protected]

Mobile:  +44 (0) 7583 097793

Website: https://www.nuclearpolicy.info and http://www.mayorsforpeace.org 

Please note that as of 8 Jan 2024, my working days will be Tuesday to Friday