The Choice That Changed Everything: Shea-Lynn’s Butterfly Effect Short Documentary
There are some stories that stay with you long after the cameras stop rolling. The Choice That Changed Everything: Shea-Lynn’s Butterfly Effect is one of them.
As an Edmonton-based filmmaker, I’ve had the privilege of telling a wide range of stories, but this one was different. This short documentary film explores the devastating ripple effects of one irreversible moment: the loss of 15-year-old Shea-Lynn McGaw, who tragically died in 2021 after not wearing her seatbelt in St. Albert.
What began as a difficult and emotionally charged production turned into something deeply meaningful. Created in close collaboration with her family and their nonprofit, Shea-Lynn’s Butterfly Effect, the film blends personal interviews, archival material, and poetic visuals to deliver a powerful message about seatbelt safety.
This film is a heartfelt tribute to a life interrupted and a reminder of how small choices can carry lasting consequences. Through raw, honest interviews with family, friends, first responders, educators, and peers, the documentary offers an intimate window into the emotional aftermath of loss, while anchoring itself in a broader mission: to educate and save lives.
Synopsis:
A short documentary exploring the ripple effects of one irreversible moment—the loss of 15-year-old Shae-Lynn McGaw due to not wearing a seatbelt. Created in collaboration with her family and their nonprofit, Shea-Lynn’s Butterfly Effect, the film weaves personal interviews, archival material, and poetic visuals to raise awareness about seatbelt safety. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a life interrupted—and a reminder of how small choices can carry lasting consequences.
Filming this documentary was not easy. There were moments of silence on set, tears behind the camera, and the weight of grief in every frame. But despite how emotionally heavy the process was, we were continually inspired by the bravery of those who chose to speak. It’s not easy to sit in front of a camera and revisit your most painful memories and yet, each person did it with strength, honesty, and the hope that this story might change someone else’s fate.
I’m incredibly proud of what we created and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible (and small) team behind the lens.
Director/Writer/Producer: Justin Kueber
DOP/Editor/Producer: Sam Reid
Additional Camera: Colton Sabo
Production Company: Guerrilla Motion Pictures Inc.
This wasn’t just a film; it was a collaboration built on trust, care, and a shared purpose.
Rooted in St. Albert and Edmonton, the message of this film extends far beyond Alberta. Seatbelt safety is a universal issue. One choice - to buckle up or not - can determine the trajectory of not just your life, but the lives of everyone who loves you.
We hope this film reaches classrooms, community groups, families, and drivers across the country.
🦋 Watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUvPuyCj7EA
📚 Learn more about Shea-Lynn’s Butterfly Effect: www.slbutterflyeffect.org
If you're an educator, a parent, a teen, or someone who simply gets into a vehicle each day - please take 15 minutes to watch this film. Share it. Start a conversation. The ripple effect of that simple act could be the choice that changes everything.