Broadcast Media
ABC News Coverage
National broadcast attention bringing the O'Day Short story to new audiences.

A Documentary Short Film
An Act of Justice
"They Were Told To Leave. They Stayed."
In 1945, the O'Day Short family challenged segregation and paid the ultimate price. Decades later, their story remains one of the most powerful civil rights stories in California history.
Official Trailer

The Story
In 1945, O'Day Short purchased a home in Fontana, California and moved his family into a neighborhood where African Americans were unwelcome. Despite repeated threats and pressure to leave, the family remained.
Soon after, their home was engulfed in flames.
For decades, questions remained. Today, O'Day Short: An Act of Justice revisits one of California's most haunting civil rights stories and examines the legacy that still echoes through the community.
Recognition
O'Day Short: An Act of Justice continues to generate community engagement, educational discussion, and media attention as audiences discover the powerful story of the O'Day Short family.
Broadcast Media
National broadcast attention bringing the O'Day Short story to new audiences.
Broadcast Media
National broadcast attention bringing the O'Day Short story to new audiences.
Broadcast Media
Randall Pepper Elementary School renamed the O'Day Short Elementary School — featured by Spectrum News In Focus.
Read Coverage →History & Remembrance
1945
O'Day Short and his family move into a neighborhood where African Americans were unwelcome, challenging the racial barriers of the era.
1945
The Short family home is destroyed by a tragic fire, resulting in the deaths of O'Day Short, his wife Helen, and their two children.
2024
The Fontana Unified School District approves the renaming of Randall Pepper Elementary School to O'Day Short Elementary School.
2025
O'Day Short Elementary School officially begins serving students under its new name, preserving the family's legacy for future generations.
2026
O'Day Short: An Act of Justice is completed and begins its educational, community, and film festival journey.
About The Film
Runtime
25 Minutes
Genre
Documentary Short
Production
Montage Media Production Company
In Association With
Bricktown Entertainment
Topics
Executive Producers
E'Ian West George Sharperson
Cinematography
Scott Toler Collins
Why It Matters
A forgotten chapter of California history brought back into public conversation.
A powerful teaching tool for students, educators, and communities.
A story that continues to shape conversations about justice, equality, and remembrance.
Media Coverage
An archive of the institutions and outlets carrying this story forward.
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release — May 27, 2026
Contact
lauren@montagemediausa.com
O'Day Short Elementary School will welcome representatives from the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) on the school's last day before summer break for a special assembly celebrating efforts to preserve and share the legacy of the O'Day Short family, who is remembered for breaking Fontana's color barrier 80 years ago. During the visit, EJI representatives will address students and staff, tour the campus, and donate books to the school library. The event will also feature the premiere of a newly completed short documentary highlighting the O'Day Short legacy. Cyrus Moss, the Fontana Unified student who helped lead the renaming effort, will also attend and meet with EJI representatives.
Thursday, May 28 — 8 to 9 a.m.
O'Day Short Elementary School
16613 Randall Ave., Fontana
O'Day Short Elementary School held its official renaming ceremony at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, marking the transition from Randall Pepper Elementary to a campus name honoring the O'Day Short family. The O'Day Short family purchased and built a home on a five-acre lot at Randall and Pepper avenues in Fontana at a time when African Americans were forbidden to live south of Baseline Avenue. The family received threats of violence before their house was set ablaze on Dec. 16, 1945. All four members of the family died from injuries sustained in the fire, which was later determined to be caused by arson. The Fontana Unified Board of Education unanimously voted in September 2024 to rename Randall Pepper Elementary to O'Day Short Elementary after Cyrus Moss submitted a petition with 132 signatures in March 2024.
Coverage and/or inclusion of this event in your calendar of events is welcome and greatly appreciated.
Press & Partners
Private Screening — July 1, 2026
A private screening of O'Day Short: An Act of Justice was presented for Mayor Acquanetta Warren of Fontana by Montage Media Production Company. The event was hosted by director and executive producer E'Ian West alongside executive producer George Sharperson. Following the screening, participants engaged in a discussion examining the historical significance of the O'Day Short family's story, the lasting impact of civil rights history in Fontana, and the city's continued growth, progress, and commitment to building an inclusive future while preserving its historical legacy.
The conversation highlighted the importance of documenting local history through film to educate future generations. Participants reflected on how the community has evolved since the events portrayed in the documentary while recognizing the individuals and organizations who continue to promote understanding and unity. The screening also provided an opportunity to discuss the role of historical storytelling in fostering meaningful dialogue and civic engagement. Mayor Warren expressed appreciation for preserving an important chapter of Fontana's history and making it accessible to new audiences. The event reinforced a shared commitment to honoring the past, celebrating the strength of today's Fontana community, and inspiring continued progress for future generations.
Community Screenings
Each gathering is an act of remembrance. Future community screenings will be announced soon. Please check back for updates or request a screening for your organization or community.
TBA
To Be Announced
Official screening dates and locations have not yet been announced. Check back here for the latest updates on upcoming community, educational, and special event screenings.
The Journey
A timeline that grows with every audience the film reaches.
Phase 01
Industry and stakeholder previews.
Phase 02
Local gatherings honoring the family's legacy.
Phase 03
Submissions in motion for the upcoming circuit.
Phase 04
Recognition for craft, courage, and historical witness.
Phase 05
Educational, theatrical, and streaming pathways.
Photo Gallery

Education
O'Day Short: An Act of Justice is available for educational institutions, community organizations, museums, universities, and special events interested in exploring civil rights history and social justice.
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