Projects
The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom
This is the project that started everything. Before Great Wonders Productions ever became a non-profit organization, we had ambitions to commit this feature-length script to film. It tells a personal story of generational abuse and childhood trauma while dealing with issues like alcoholism, mental illness, poverty, and broken relationships. Although these are hard topics and can be emotionally uncomfortable, this story offers the hope of redemption and gives the viewers permission to tell their own stories.
Once Great Wonders Productions was founded and priorities were set, it became clear that this film would be a challenge to produce and would require time and maturation of the organization. We continue to look at production this powerful film as a goal for few years down the road.
The Butterfly People
The “Butterfly People”, or the Butterfly People of Joplin, are enigmatic creatures reportedly appearing during the events of the EF5 tornado that befell Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. Some might say they were angels.
Great Wonders Productions partnered with Greg and Nathan Fish to make this documentary project a reality after Greg self-produced "Steadfast," a documentary on the Joplin tornado and the community's response, shortly after the tornado struck in 2011. "The Butterfly People" is a companion documentary to "Steadfast" that dives into the stories of those that experienced and studied this remarkable phenomenon.
This award-winning film is now available for rent or purchase on our Uplift Films channel.
Uplift Film Festival
The Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival gives filmmakers of all levels of experience in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas an opportunity to experience a little boost by showcasing their work and by giving particular attention to inspirational stories. Anyone who has made a short film in the Four States or who is a filmmaker residing there is invited to submit their film and be a part the celebration.
In our first year, over 80 submissions were made to the festival which took place over three days at the historic Route 66 Movie Theater in Webb City and ended with an awards ceremony at the Cornell Complex in Joplin. Awards were given for thirteen categories for student films, short films, and feature films. Join us in January 2025 to help encourage the art of filmmaking in our region!
For more information:
2nd Sunday Cinema
In March of 2024 we launched a new monthy "Cinematic Arts Event" in the Joplin area called 2nd Sunday Cinema! Each 2nd Sunday of every month, we bring regional films by independant filmmakers into the spotlight with a screening for the public. We pair up and showcase both feature length films and short films into a 2-3 hour film block. This is a ticketed event and if the event shows a profit beyond the adverting costs, the revenue is shared with the participating filmmakers. Being a cinematic storyteller is wonderful artform, and artists love to have their work enjoyed by the public.
2nd Sunday Cinema is just one more way that filmmakers benefit from submitting to / and being selected into the annual Great Wonders Uplift Film Fest!
Uplift Movie Night
Uplift Movie Night is a way for regional filmmakers to have their films shown in area theaters and participate in a revenue sharing opportunity. This project began in July of 2024 with three (3) participating theaters:
• The Route 66 Theater in downtown Webb City, Missouri
• The Flick Theater in Anderson, Missouri, and
• The Plaza Theater in Lamar, Missouri
It's the goal of Great Wonders Productions to expand the number of theaters participating as we move forward. We promote this event on Facebook and Instagram. We hope to keep building this monthly event into all four States in our region.
Uplift Films (Video Streaming)
In February of 2024, Great Wonders Productions launched our own streaming channel called Uplift Films. Filmmakers selected by our annual Uplift Film Fest are invited to have us add their film to our channel, There, the public can either rent or purchase the films to veiw at home. This is a 50/50 revenue sharing opportunity for our selected Uplift Film Fest filmmakers. You can check out the channel at UpliftFilms.vhx.tv