‘Storm Lake’ Screenings
2017 Editorial Writing winner Art Cullen and his family fight to unite and inform their Iowan farming community through their biweekly newspaper, The Storm Lake Times—come hell or pandemic. Dark clouds hang over the cornfields of Storm Lake, Iowa, which has seen its fair share of change in the 40 years since Big Agriculture came to town. Farmers blow their life savings on new equipment they hope will keep their livelihoods intact. Migrant workers flock here—welcome and not—for their slice of the American Dream. The people of Storm Lake confront a changing and precarious existence. Enter: Art Cullen and his family members who deliver local news and editorials on a shoestring budget for their 3,000 readers. This paper means a fighting chance for their beloved hometown, and by hook or by crook, they’ll make the most of it. There’s simply too much at stake.
Slated for a national PBS broadcast this fall on Independent Lens, the film had its World Premiere at the prestigious Full Frame International Film Festival in Durham, NC. Through the film's impact and community screenings campaign, we aim to help secure the future of credible local news and newspapers in towns, suburbs and cities nationwide—toward the survival of equitable and sustainable communities, an informed electorate, and a functioning democracy. To meet our goals, we are partnering with newsrooms, publishers, professional associations, advocacy and education organizations, journalism schools, policymakers, PBS stations and other stakeholders nationwide. We have partnered so far with the American Journalism Project, News Media Alliance, the National Newspaper Association, America's Newspapers, Solutions Journalism, Report for America and PEN America.
-- from the filmmakers
Tickets to stream the film at the Provincetown Film Festival through this Friday, June 25th are available here. (Non-member ticket without discount: $12.)
Beginning on Thursday, June 24 at 12:00 p.m. EDT, the film also may be streamed through AFI Docs. Attendees will have 48 hours to start watching after purchase. Once you begin, you’ll have 48 hours to finish watching. (Ticket without discount: $10.)
Additionally, the film will be screened in-person at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Md. on June 24 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. (General admission: $13; members: $11.) Please note that all seating is reserved and advance tickets are recommended.