Host a screening of an independent Vietnam-era documentary and help preserve the stories of a generation before they are lost.
From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era is an independently produced feature-length documentary preserving the first-hand experiences of Iowa men and women whose lives were shaped by military service during the Vietnam era.
The project was inspired in part by my father’s military service and by a desire to preserve the stories of Iowans whose experiences might otherwise disappear with them.
Community screenings are now available in Ames, Story County, and throughout Central Iowa.
More Than Just a Film Showing
From Iowa and Back was not created as a generic military documentary or a packaged presentation. It was built through personal interviews, photographs, memories, and first-hand accounts from veterans and their families. The people on screen tell their own stories in their own words.
Community screenings can also become something unique to the town or organization hosting the film.
- A feature-length screening of From Iowa and Back
- A personal introduction from filmmaker Jeremy Glazier
- A post-film discussion and Q&A
- Recognition of veterans in attendance
- Potential interviews with Vietnam-era veterans for the continuing project
My goal is not simply to show the film and leave. These screenings are opportunities to gather, listen, remember, and preserve stories while the generation that experienced this period first-hand is still able to tell them.
Why Bringing the Film to Ames Matters to Me
I am a lifelong Iowan, as were my father, grandfather and great-grandfather. That connection to Iowa is an important part of both my life and this project.
My father’s military service helped inspire From Iowa and Back, and one of my personal goals is to bring the film into as many of Iowa’s 99 counties as possible. Each new county is another opportunity to meet veterans, hear local stories, and carry Iowa history back into Iowa communities.
Ames has an additional connection to the project because a few veterans featured in the film have ties to Iowa State University. That makes Story County a particularly meaningful place to share the documentary and connect with veterans, students, educators, agricultural businesses and community organizations.
My goal is not simply to take a film around Iowa. It is to carry Iowa stories back into Iowa communities.
Who Can Host a Screening?
Community screenings can work in many different settings. You don’t need a traditional movie theater to bring From Iowa and Back to your community.
- Veterans organizations, including American Legion and VFW posts
- Movie theaters
- Public libraries
- Historical societies and museums
- Iowa State University departments, alumni groups and student organizations
- Schools and educational groups
- Agricultural businesses and employers
- Senior living communities
- Civic and community organizations
- Unions and employee organizations
- Other organizations interested in veterans and history
If your organization has a suitable gathering space, or would like to partner with a local venue, we can discuss what may work.
Iowa Community Screening Support
I want to keep From Iowa and Back accessible to veterans groups, libraries, historical organizations, community groups, and smaller nonprofit hosts throughout Iowa.
Rather than using a traditional screening or licensing fee, I ask community hosts to help support the time and travel involved in bringing the film to their community.
For qualifying community screenings in Ames and Story County, a $150 host contribution is generally requested.
For other Iowa community screenings, arrangements may vary based on distance from Cedar Rapids. For events farther than approximately 120 miles from Cedar Rapids, a $250 host contribution is generally requested.
For longer-distance Iowa events, overnight accommodations may occasionally be needed depending on the location, event time, and travel schedule. Any lodging or unusual travel arrangements will always be discussed before the event is confirmed.
These amounts are intended as guidelines, not barriers. If a veterans group, library, historical organization or other community host has limited funding, please reach out so we can discuss what may be possible.
A Screening Can Also Be a Fundraiser
Community screenings can be structured as free events, ticketed programs, donation-based events, sponsor-supported programs or fundraisers.
Host organizations may use a screening to raise funds for their organization, a veterans program or another community cause. Ticketing, sponsorships, donations, and any screening or travel arrangements can be discussed in advance so the event is built around the needs of the host organization and community.
Local businesses and community sponsors can also help underwrite a screening and make the event affordable or free for attendees.
Watch the Trailer
A Growing Community Screening Project
From Iowa and Back has grown from an independent Iowa documentary into an ongoing community screening project presented through theaters, libraries, museums, veterans organizations, and community-sponsored events.
20+ Public Screenings • 13 Iowa Counties • Continuing Across Iowa and Beyond