Ravenna native Kirk Zeller has seen the recent rise of Nebraska filmmaking up close.
As a filmmaker, he’s made connections throughout the country and has taken it upon himself to promote Nebraska’s side of the industry. Through his efforts, he’s been able to watch as new talent emerges on camera and behind the scenes and established names continue to break ground in the state.
Last weekend, Zeller had a chance to see that spirit in a condensed manner during the Flatwater Film Festival held at Seward’s Rivoli Theatre Oct. 15, 16 and 17. The celebration of Nebraska filmmakers and actors, Zeller said, is an example of why he’s taken it upon himself to be an advocate for the state’s creators.
“One of the things is, I feel there’s a lot more collaboration amongst Nebraska filmmakers and stakeholders than you see in any other filming location,” he said. “I feel we are really good about supporting each other and that’s really what attracted me to this and made me so motivated to help them in any way I can. The idea of coming together, seeing each other’s work and learning from each other’s work is a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Zeller was on hand at the festival to present his feature film, #MyCorona and the documentary he produced regarding the making of #MyCorona, which was directed remotely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cast of #MyCorona features five Nebraska actors and was shot in a Ravenna apartment. The movie tells the story of the apartment tenants forming relationships between the walls of their units in a time where face to face interaction wasn’t possible because of the pandemic.
The film’s innovation and the documentary’s look inside the process earned both projects a number of awards, Zeller said. While the awards are exciting, he said the best part about the film’s exposure has been its promotion of filmmaking in Nebraska.
Zeller said he knows he’s not the only creator advocating for Nebraska’s film industry, which was apparent at the film festival. Zeller said he had the opportunity to meet many Nebraskans who have dedicated their career to filmmaking and have done so in a way that promotes the state.
“We live in different parts of the state but to be in the same physical space and communicate is pretty cool,” he said. “To be able to sit down and chat in one place is a wonderful thing.”
Everything about the Flatwater Film Festival was designed celebrate Nebraska filmmaking, including its setting at the Rivoli Theater.
Event coordinator Emily Gale said the opportunity to host the festival at a venue with the Rivoli’s history furthered the pageantry of the event.
“A lot of people have come in and just said, ‘This place is a gem,’” Gale said. “They love the aesthetics of the theater, the old-fashioned concessions, the padded doors, walking in and seeing the original murals in there and of course, the popcorn.
“There are little nooks and crannies to sit and talk about the film they just saw and pick brains of the directors, producers and makeup artists and talk to the actors.”
The festival previously had its home in Grand Island but issues related to the pandemic required a new home. This year marked the first of the festival’s run at the Rivoli and it quickly became apparent to Gale that the festival found its new permanent location.
“We’ve had great community support,” she said. “We have a lot to go off of this year and to be back in year two and have our feet on the ground, I can’t wait to see how this grows and how we can have even more community involvement.”
As the festival wrapped up Oct. 17, Rivoli owners Chuck and Julie Wisehart reflected on a weekend in which the theater was the epicenter of Nebraska filmmaking. To see the passion of the event organizers and those who presented films and to feel the respect they had for the theater was affirmation in their decision to host the festival.
“It’s been awesome,” Julie said. “Everyone has been so helpful and they all know what they’re doing. They did a great job of picking the films.”
With one year in the books, Chuck and Julie are excited for the next installations.
“They’re very welcomed to come back,” Chuck said.
