The Project

Growing Older in Rural Wisconsin is a project consisting of a documentary film production and subsequent community film screenings throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Its goal is to use the tools of documentary filmmaking and grassroots community organization to promote discussion and awareness of the challenges which seniors face in rural areas, as well as the often-ignored benefits which aging populations provide to their communities. The project is a collaboration between Rural Wisconsin Inc. and Beechwood True LLC, and is a recipient of a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

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THE DOCUMENTARY

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​The film will closely follow a selection of 3-5 participants, residents of Waushara County over the age of 65, who will be chosen to illustrate a diverse range of experiences faced by seniors in the area. This will be supplemented by interviews with the participants and their friends and families, as well as context given by residents in other rural areas, social service providers, and local and national experts on aging.

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COMMUNITY SCREENINGS

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After the film's completion (anticipated to be mid-2025), the documentary will be screened in collaboration with local non-profits and community centers for audiences in rural Wisconsin counties, in urban areas, and at professional conferences, followed by moderated community discussions. The goal is to use these screenings to engage communities in making their areas more aging-friendly.