PREVIOUS SCREENINGS
Citizen Advocates of Washington County- West Bend, Wisconsin
October 16, 2008 (7:00 p.m.)
Citizen Advocates of Washington County is a group based in West Bend, Wisconsin that works with their community to make "matches" between people with disabilities and other people or organizations in the community. Mark Brunner, President of CA, organized the screening for the annual meeting of their group which was held in the brand new West Bend Mutual facilities, who sponsored the event.
Wyrick screened "A Friend Indeed" to a very enthusiastic crowd that was three times larger than their usual annual meeting, and discussed the film afterwards with many of CA's sponsors, people with disabilities and their families, and members of the community that have been matches.
Wyrick and Brunner discussed having further screenings in early 2009 to generate interest in the community for people to become matches, and using the documentary as a way to communicate that message since the help Bill received by caring individuals changed his life in such a dramatic way.
Englert Civic Theater - Iowa City, Iowa
October 1, 4 & 5, 2008 (7:30 p.m.)
"A Friend Indeed" had a successful screening run at the Englert Theater in Iowa City. Recently restored to its original beauty, the classic Englert theater drew in a new crowd of people in Bill's hometown, many of them new to the Bill story. Receiving a standing ovation on all three nights, Lane Wyrick hosted the Q&A session afterwards, along with Tom Walz. .
Kansas International Film Festival
September 23, 2008 (7:30 p.m.)
"A Friend Indeed" received a standing ovation at the Kansas International Film Festival at Glenwood Arts in Overland Park, Kansas and was voted the "#1 Audience Favorite", and received the Audience Trophy along with a one-week theatrical screening at the theater from Oct. 3-9. --- The theatrical screening was a great success, so "A Friend Indeed" was held over for a second week!
Check out the reviews received for the documentary in Kansas City.
Hardacre Film Festival
August 2, 2008 (9 p.m.)
In its film festival debut, "A Friend Indeed" was the winner of "Best Documentary", "Best Iowa Film" and was voted the "#1 Audience Favorite" at the Hardacre Film Festival in Tipton, Iowa. Lane Wyrick was present in this competitive international film festival.
Festival director Travis Alden said, "It’s a documentary that’s just super-well-done. It’s very moving, very emotional. I’m not embarrassed to say it brought me to tears. It really renews your positive outlook toward the human spirit.”
World Premiere - Hancher Auditorium - Iowa City
June 7, 2008 (7:30 p.m.)
A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story had its World Premiere at Iowa City's main entertainment venue Hancher Auditorium.
An enthusiastic crowd of 1175 people from all across the country came to see the first public screening of the final 90 minute production. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the documentary received a standing ovation. In attendance were Academy Award Winning screenwriter Barry Morrow and his wife Bev, filmmaker Lane Wyrick, music composer Peter Bloesch, Jack Doepke, Tom Walz, Rabbi Jeff Portman, and many of the principle cast members and contributors.
Following the screening, Lane Wyrick, Barry Morrow, Peter Bloesch and Jack Doepke hosted a panel discussion. The reception, sponsored by the University of Iowa School of Social Work, followed in the lobby. Many people that knew Bill in person, as well as those that had no knowledge of Bill's story or the Mickey Rooney tv movie "Bill" all had a chance to mingle and discuss the film.
This great event, which is captured on video and will be posted in the "Videos and Photos" section of this site soon, was the last performance to be held at Hancher Auditorium. Three days after the screenings, the building was evacuated and within a week, the Floods of 2008 destroyed much of the building, causing $13 million worth of damage. We all wish for a speedy recovery of Hancher, as it is a wonderful place for all kinds of professional performances.
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