Next Indiana Campfires Films

Over the last year, Indiana Humanities has focused its award-winning Next Indiana Campfires program on the White River watershed and the larger question of how Hoosiers relate to water and to each other across watersheds. To explore these connections further we funded the creation of three short films about the White River.

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Next Indiana Campfires Films
About

Over the last year, Indiana Humanities has focused its award-winning Next Indiana Campfires program on the White River watershed and the larger question of how Hoosiers relate to water and to each other across watersheds. We’ve hiked and paddled the river and its feeder creeks, learning about the efforts to restore and conserve one of our state’s most significant waterways and considering how it connects urban, suburban and rural Hoosiers.

To explore these connections further—and to document a particularly exciting moment for Indiana waterways—we also funded the creation of three short films about the White River.

Through the films, you’ll meet volunteers, artists, activists, farmers, engineers, developers, city officials, hikers and parents. You’ll paddle downstream with Friends of the White River, tunnel under the city with Dig Indy, and soar overhead with the great blue herons of our region.

Again and again, you’ll see views of the river and perspectives on Indianapolis you never knew existed. We hope these films awaken new appreciation of the White River and spark meaningful conversations about its future.

Read an essay about the project by Leah Nahmias, director of programs and community engagement.

Braided with the Current by Katelyn Calhoun and Hannah Hodges

Hannah Hodges co-founded and runs Hodges Marketing Solutions, a digital marketing agency, with her husband Mark. She is involved in the Indianapolis film community and has a variety of experience ranging from work on documentaries and narrative shorts to corporate videos and live events. Most of her favorite moments, both personally and professionally, occur outside enjoying nature. Katelyn Calhoun has spent the past five years in Indianapolis creating documentary content. Her most recent work includes the NUVO Newsweekly webseries Day Drinking with Rita, coverage of the Mohican 100 Trail Run, and assisting in the edit of Mabingwa, a documentary about environmental conservation in Kenya. She is currently in pre-production for an Appalachian Trail short documentary, (Tr)alias.

Onward Ever: The Becoming of Indiana’s White River by Brandon Walsh

Brandon Walsh is an Indy-based video producer. His narrative short films have screened at a number of festivals across the Midwest, and he has made national award-winning commercial work with the advertising agency CVR.

White River: Perspectives by Hannah Lindgren

Hannah is a visual storyteller hailing from the northeast side of Indianapolis. She works at The Story Shop in Pendleton and specializes in telling the stories of nonprofits, causes, small businesses and communities through short videos. This is her fourth documentary film.

 

Upcoming Launch Parties

RSVP for one or more of the launch parties, where we’ll screen the films, hold a Q&A with the directors, and enjoy snacks and beers compliments of Upland Brewing.

Film Discussion Toolkits

Starting in March, you can watch the full-length films online and download a discussion toolkit to talk about them with your neighbors, students, friends and family. We’ll also be offering stipends to community groups who host public screenings and discussions of the films in 2019 and 2020.

Questions?

Contact Leah Nahmias, director of programs and community engagement (lnahmias@indianahumanities.org / 317.616.9804)