HOLMDEL, NJ — An award-winning documentary about a Holmdel toddler who suddenly passed away in 2017 will be shown at the Monmouth Film Festival this weekend.
On Sunday at 11 a.m., “VIENNA: Suddenly An Angel” will premiere in Shorts Block D at the festival in the Bell Theatre at Bell Works.
The film follows Dr. Denise Wunderler and her husband, Dr. Michael Savino, after the sudden and unexplained death of their 2½-year-old daughter, Vienna Carly Savino.
Vienna’s passing was categorized as Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) — a poorly understood category of death that affects seemingly healthy children from 1 to 18 years old.
In 2017, Vienna fell asleep watching TV at home in Holmdel (10 minutes from Bell Works) and never woke up. More than eight years later, there is still no cause of death.
Determined to find answers and increase awareness, Dr. Wunderler founded Team Vienna 4 SUDC Awareness, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to advocacy, education, research, and honoring Vienna’s legacy.
Their story unfolds through intimate footage, emotional interviews, and medical insights — from their home to leading scientists at Boston Children’s Hospital.
“We didn’t want Vienna’s story to end with her death,” said Dr. Wunderler, who is a first-time producer of the film. “We wanted her life to ignite change, to bring awareness to SUDC, and to help other families avoid the pain we now carry every day.”
Directed by Marko Albrecht, “VIENNA: Suddenly an Angel” aims to capture the spirit of a local (Holmdel) and global community rallying around the Wunderler/Savino’s, and a family choosing to transform tragic loss into purpose and global action.
The film won the highly-regarded Audience Award for Best Short Documentary at the Long Island International Film Expo (New York) and at the New Hope Film Festival (Pennsylvania), and won Best Homegrown Short Documentary at the Garden State Film Festival (New Jersey).
The documentary is also an official selection of the Chelsea Film Festival (NYC), Indie Short Film Festival (Virginia), and the Love and Hope International Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain, for its international premiere as it continues its festival run.
“VIENNA: Suddenly An Angel” will premiere at the Monmouth Film Festival at 11 a.m. on Sunday inside Bell Works, located at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.
To learn more about the Monmouth Film Festival premiere or purchase tickets, you can click here.
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