NPC Headliner Screening: "Storm Lake"

Join director Beth Levison, director and cinematographer Jerry Risius and Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Art Cullen of the Storm Lake Times Pilot for a screening of the documentary “Storm Lake” followed by a discussion of the role of independent local journalism at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

The documentary, directed by Levison and Iowa native Risius, chronicles the outsize role of The Storm Lake Times, a family-run newspaper helmed by Cullen, in the life of the small Iowa town it covers and its struggle to survive in a changing media landscape. Against this backdrop, the documentary explores the larger issue of the importance of independent local journalism for the survival of American democracy.

Levison, an Emmy- and Peabody-winning producer/director based in New York, was most recently nominated for an Oscar for the documentary short, "The Martha Mitchell Effect." 

Risius has more than 25 years experience as director of photography on such projects as "The Kingmaker," "Generation Wealth," and "The Devil Came on Horseback." He worked as field producer and director of photography for "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown" series. He grew up on a hog farm about an hour from Storm Lake.

To submit a question in advance for the speaker, put STORM LAKE  in the subject line and email it to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 2  p.m. on the day of the screening.