Power of the Arts, Film Streams and Maggie Wood on Cinema and Community

January 5th, 2026

Film Streams has been a place for people in Omaha to gather around film since 2007, first in downtown Omaha and later at the restored historic Dundee Theater. What began as a venue for independent and international cinema has grown into a nonprofit organization that places film at the center of education, discussion, and community life.

Maggie Wood, the executive director of Film Streams, came to that role through a path shaped by both the arts and nonprofit work. She grew up in a small town in Illinois, where movies were a regular part of her life from an early age. Going to the theater was not only entertainment but also a social and cultural experience, one that stayed with her as she moved through school and into adulthood.

Her early involvement in the arts extended beyond film and into theater. During her formative years, Wood performed, wrote, worked on technical crews, and directed. That broad exposure helped shape her understanding of how the arts function not only as creative expression but also as a way to bring people together.

After graduating from Eureka College, Wood worked in Washington, DC, and Chicago before moving to Omaha in 1997. Her professional background includes work in both for profit and nonprofit organizations, including Inclusive Communities. Over time, she began to see a way to combine her experience in nonprofit leadership with her long standing interest in cinema, which eventually led her to Film Streams.

At Film Streams, Wood focuses on film as a tool for connection. The organization programs movies that reflect a wide range of cultures, ideas, and experiences, and pairs those screenings with discussions, education programs, and community partnerships. The goal is not only to present films but to create opportunities for people to gather, reflect, and engage with one another.

That emphasis on connection reflects Wood’s broader view of the arts. She sees the arts not as an optional extra but as a fundamental part of a healthy community. Film Streams works to make film accessible and meaningful, offering a space where audiences can feel included and part of something larger than themselves.

That sense of belonging is central to the organization’s mission. Through curated programming, partnerships with schools and community groups, and an ongoing presence in Omaha’s cultural life, Film Streams positions itself as both a cultural institution and a community resource.

Wood often reflects on the fact that she did not set out expecting to find a career that so closely matched her personal passions. The role she now holds allows her to combine leadership, service, and a love of film in a way she once did not imagine was possible.

Today, under her leadership, Film Streams continues to serve as a place where people come not just to watch movies, but to experience them together, and to use film as a starting point for conversation, understanding, and connection.