The shootings at Columbine High School on April 20th 1999 ended thirteen lives and shattered countless others.  But while the tragic events of that day were well documented, the stories of the families who lost loved ones and struggled to build new lives have yet to be told. Bound forever by unimaginable circumstances, these thirteen families lived through the same tragedy, yet each has dealt with the aftermath in their own way - and each has a different story of how their lives have changed.   13 Families weaves an intimate tapestry of hope, providing the families a forum to tell their personal stories - stories that are not tainted by any media angle but rather seek to tell the unvarnished truth of their experience. The families provided the filmmakers exclusive and unprecedented access, sharing insightful and intimate details of their lives. What happened to the Columbine families could happen to anyone, and perhaps that's why the event had such an impact on the nation and the world.  What the film demonstrates is how ordinary individuals can be confronted with a sudden and devastating loss yet find the strength to move forward. In addition, the film touches on the issues of gun control, school violence, and the painful reality that tragedies like Columbine and Virginia Tech continue to plague our nation.