Platinum City Golden West Entertainment Films announced the premiere of its documentary, Put the Guns Down: A World Epidemic, at the Hollywood Weekly Film Festival on Saturday, November 15th, at Warner Brothers Studios. Executive produced by Ice-T and co-directed by Terry C. Carney, Sr. and Eric Herbert, the film provides an unflinching exploration of gun violence, with a specific focus on South Central Los Angeles.
The documentary is a feature-length film and the first of a 12-part series. It offers a stark, intimate look at the escalating global crisis of gun violence, humanizing statistics through raw testimonies and unprecedented access. The film explores root causes such as economic hardship and inadequate mental health care, featuring exclusive interviews with victims, families, community members, and artists like Spice 1, Chilly Chill, and Kokane. More than a film, it aims to inspire viewers to understand the deeper societal forces behind the violence and catalyze transformative reforms.
The production team includes Executive Producers Eugene Ysaguirre, Monae Veronica Chavez, Harold Cheatham, and Juan Villanueva, along with assistant producers Ernest Churchill, Sean E. Sean, Jorge Hinojosa, Cornell Joseph Ward, Tim Crowe, Mack Tompkins, Lawon D. Carney, Sonya A. Carney, Jajuan Bryant, Andre Mitchell, and Devin Mitchell.
Terry C. Carney, Sr., founder of Platinum City Golden West Entertainment, was honored with the "Fathers in Hip Hop Fatherhood Acknowledgement Award" and the 2024 TAF Dignitary Award of Supreme Excellence, as well as the 2025 TAF Humanitarian Award. Born in Denver, Colorado, Carney faced challenges early in life, including the incarceration of two brothers for murder. A move to Los Angeles at age 15 marked a pivotal change, leading him to storytelling and filmmaking. His experiences as a father and grandfather influence his narrative style, emphasizing redemption and resilience. The tragic loss of friend and collaborator Nipsey Hussle galvanized his advocacy against gun violence through his art.
For more information or to join their mission, visit Terry C. Carney Sr.'s website. The Hollywood Weekly Film Festival can be found at FilmFreeway. The documentary is also available on Amazon at Amazon Prime Video.
