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.
Great Wonders Productions is currently producing this film as a documentary, recording interviews both close to home and as far away as Uganda and Poland. Check for updates on our social channels, and look forward to seeing the film late this year.
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
In March of 2026, Great Wonders Productions will sponsor the 3rd Annual Great Wonders Uplift Film Fest. Our film fest gives independent filmmakers of all levels of experience within the United States and especially in our region of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas an opportunity showcase their work to network with other filmmakers from around the country and our neighboring states.
The film fest takes place over three days at the historic Route 66 Movie Theater in Webb City and ends with an awards ceremony at the Cornell Complex in Joplin. Awards will be given in multiple categories for student films, short films, and feature films. Join us in March, 2026, when we will also host our special guest, Kevin Downes, CEO of Kingdom Story Company, (producers of such films as I Can Only Imagine, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and many more).
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. Cinematic storytelling 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 when selected for the Great Wonders Uplift Film Fest!
Somewhere to Be
A story that first captured national media attention about a baby who was surrendered to a Louisville, Kentucky, fire station has now broadened into a look at the Tyler family’s history of fostering and adoption as they welcomed this child Samuel into their home. What motivates Brittany and Chris Tyler to have fostered seventeen children and adopted three others besides Samuel? From this open-hearted couple’s experience, what would they want others to know?
And how does the Safe Haven law, now on the books in all fifty U.S. states, open possibilities for other families in a shortened pathway to adoption? This feature documentary about providing children SOMEWHERE TO BE is currently in production.
Uplift Films (Video Streaming)
Great Wonders Productions curates a streaming channel called Uplift Films! Filmmakers selected for our annual Uplift Film Fest are invited to share their films on our channel where the public can either rent or purchase them to view 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