Wisconsin Filmmaker Nathan Deming Brings Winter Hymns to De Pere

Wisconsin is not the usual backdrop expected when a movie hits the theaters, but independent filmmakers are slowly bridging the gap from Hollywood to the Midwest.

Nathan Deming, originally from the city of Tomah, is one of these creative spirits with his movie Winter Hymns showing across the country and most remarkably throughout Wisconsin.

This film, though set in the state, covers the universal experience of meditation on death, following several patients and a physician in a system of care focused on “caring not curing,” Deming said.

He also shined some light onto the ambiguous message of the film, saying, “We all have our own relationship with death and dying… One unintended message turned out to be, ‘You are not alone.’”

Reactions across the country as the movie has touched viewers have led to stories being told that without the film leaving space for, may never have been.

Deming shared that a large part of the inspiration for this movie stemmed from his father’s experience working in palliative care in Eau Claire. While this impacted the film’s setting, it was also highly influenced by his effort to create media from Wisconsin where “they treat us like normal people” instead of playing into common Midwest stereotypes that are played often in such industries.

Although Deming is working to expand the film industry in Wisconsin, he could not do it alone.

In 2025, Gov. Evers signed a film tax credit into the 2025-27 budget alongside a film and creative projects office, giving access to up to $5 million of state authorized spending in annual tax credits to support local projects. This addition not only drives in current production opportunities, but Deming hopes it will also help inspire younger generations of actors and filmmakers to find their way to success locally.

This film’s upcoming host is the Mulva Cultural Center of De Pere. Deming shared how he cherishes his work being shown across his home-state and is grateful for the unique opportunity the Mulva Center gives for the community to see the piece by offering completely free showings.

Claudia Damiani, Director of Exhibits and Education at the Mulva Cultural Center, shares the center’s ecstatic support for local artists, “We love finding ways to share their work and explore how it connects with the stories we tell through our exhibitions. Winter Hymns is a powerful story and work of art that resonates with the themes of resilience and the human experience explored in our current exhibition, The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure. We are beyond excited to screen Winter Hymns for our community.”

Winter Hymns will be screening at the Mulva Cultural Center Nov. 6, 8 and 9 at various times. Although tickets are free, they must be reserved prior to arrival. Reservations can be made at mulvacenter.org.

Pass It Forward™ editorial is sponsored by Packers Give Back, Nicolet National Bank and the National Trust for Local News.