Nathan Deming’s ‘Winter Hymns’ to Make World Premiere at 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival

Winter Hymns, written and directed by Nathan Deming and produced by Tim Schwagel and Zach Staads, will make its World Premiere at the 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, Wisconsin.

Set over the course of a single winter day in one hospital room, Winter Hymns follows a palliative care physician (Colleen Madden) meeting with dying patients and their families as they confront the end of life. Conversations about illness, faith, regret, and love take on an unexpected urgency and intimacy.

Enjoy SCREEN’s exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the film by clicking right here for photos, interviews and more.

The film features a nationally recognized and Midwestern ensemble led by Colleen Madden, Tara Mallen, Chiké Johnson, Sarah Day, Winter Williams, and Brian Huskey as well as newcomers Thaddeus Sykora and Bernie Starzewski.

Inspired in part by Deming’s father’s decade long work in palliative medicine, Winter Hymns examines mortality within the landscape of Midwestern life and the American hospital system, while tracing the subtle tensions of class, gender, and culture that shape the dying process.

The film is EPed by Jeffrey Kurz (Deep Woods), with cinematography by Leo Purman (Forge, The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos.)

Screening dates, times, and ticket information will be available through the Wisconsin Film Festival here.

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