37 INTERVIEWS
18 CAMP MYSTIC CHILDREN - 15 FIRST RESPONDERS - 1 CAMP LA JUNTA - 12 RV SURVIVORS - 15 KERR COUNTY RESIDENTS STORIES, WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Title: River of Angels
Directed by: Shawn Welling
Narrated by: Lee Majors
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TONY BUZBEE
Produced by: Michael Berry
PRODUCTION COmpany: WELLING FILMS
Co-Producers: Wade Cockburn, Kari Short
Mike and Kathy Simmons, Michelle Welling.
COMMENTATOR: MICHAEL BERRY
CHIEF INTERVIEWER: SHAWN WELLING
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
"OUR MISSION"
River of Angels challenges the national narrative by giving voice to the people of Kerr County—letting them tell their own story of loss, resilience, and unity.
"When the river rose, a town rose higher."
Short Synopsis
When historic floods swept through Central Texas on July 4th, families in RVs, campers, and cabins along the Guadalupe River were caught off guard.
first responders, CAMP CHILDREN and everyday heroes came together in the aftermath to share a story of courage, heartbreak, and healing.
Overview
From filmmaker Shawn Welling—known for the emotionally resonant Alive: A True Story of Hope and the award-winning The Messenger: 360 Days of Bolivar—comes a cinematic new documentary chronicling the devastating July 2025 Central Texas Floods, with a focus on the camps, Rv PARKS, LOCALS and HOMES along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
Titled River of Angels, this feature-length documentary is a heartfelt tapestry of testimonies—told by the young, the brave, and those left behind. Welling brings a personal lens to the tragedy, and his deep connection to Kerr County through his wife Michelle, HOME TOWN OF KERrVILLE, and her family, who still reside in the area.
against the backdrop of small-town charm—front porch conversations, high school football games, and the heartbeat of the river—the film explores how tragedy collapses boundaries, revealing a community’s resilience, humanity, and hope.
Narrative Arc
Prologue
Introduction to Kerrville’s spirit and the legacy of Texas summer camps.
Life Before the Storm
Joyful moments at Camp Mystic, community parks, and family gatherings.
Approaching Tragedy
Ominous signs. Rising waters. Familiar tension from those who’ve seen it before.
The Night the River Came
Harrowing testimonies of survival, instinct, and divine timing.
Daylight Aftermath
Search teams, teenage heroes, and stories of courage.
What’s Left, What’s Found
The weight of grief. Acts of grace. Unlikely bonds formed.
Epilogue
The river flows, but everything has changed. Children’s voices, memorials, and a call to remember.
Interview Subjects (as of AUGUST 28, 2025)
27 Interviews in 42 days
MYSTIC CHILDREN – 7 Children and their parents talk about the july 4th Flooding and the loss of their camp.
DIANA BACCEN - FIRE CHIEF Ingram Volunteer Fire Department – On-the-ground first responders during the earliest rescue operations.
LEE POOL - CHIEF OF Hunt Volunteer Fire Department – Key emergency team aiding in evacuations along flooded campgrounds.
Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department – Rural department critical to water rescue and land access.
Fredericksburg Fire Department – Regional responders who provided urgent backup and cross-agency coordination.
Tate Demasco – Ingram ISD Athletic Director and official spokesperson for the City of Ingram during rescue and recovery.
"A river divided them. A tragedy united them."
