My Omaha
- Directed by: Nick Beaulieu
- Released: 2025 (educational)
- Year of Production: 2024
Set against the backdrop of Omaha's deep racial divide and burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement, MY OMAHA tells the story of filmmaker Nick Beaulieu's personal journey to document the activism of his hometown and reconcile with his terminally ill father Randy, a staunch pro-Trump supporter. Guided by the wisdom of community activist Leo Louis II, Nick navigates the complexities of family conflict, political and racial discord, and the difficult search for common ground.
MY OMAHA begins in 2016, as Donald Trump is elected president and the Black Lives Matter movement is burgeoning in Omaha. Nick, fresh out of journalism school, is determined to understand how these forces are colliding in his hometown – including the white suburbs where he grew up and the Black community of North Omaha.
Along the way, he meets Leo Louis II, a fiercely independent activist, who introduces him to the birthplace of Malcolm X in North Omaha, which is emerging as a hub for community activism.
In parallel, Nick takes his camera home to explore the increasingly tense relationship he has with his father Randy – a pro-Trump, conservative christian. After Randy is suddenly diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, they commit to a series of conversations in the hopes of finding a new place of mutual understanding.
At the same time, Nick becomes closer with Leo, witnessing his ascension as a leading voice in the city as Leo guides the people of Omaha through crisis following the polarizing death of a protestor.
All the while, Nick confronts the reality of his father’s impending death and their uncompromising differences, as he searches for the deeper truths of what their relationship says about Omaha and the country at large.
Official Selection at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival
“An ambitious documentary about divided families living in small-town America and the role national politics can play in driving an even deeper wedge between generations.” — Alison Foreman, INDIEWIRE
“This is a staggering work that truly gives us an insight into the seeming chasms in America, that are actually bridged by love and emotion. Don't expect answers, but expect to be moved. Highly recommended.” — Steve Kopian, UNSEEN FILMS
“My Omaha teaches us that it is the pursuit, the seeking of truth, that must continue. We must look at the change ourselves before seeking to change the world. This picture has a mighty heart.” — Kent Hill, FILM THREAT
“Some films don’t just tell a story—they hold up a mirror, forcing us to examine our lives, relationships, and the ever-widening ideological divides in our society. MY OMAHA does just that, blending a deeply personal journey with a larger, urgent social commentary. It’s a film that doesn’t flinch when emotions run high, embracing both the personal and political with an unfiltered lens.” — Chris Jones, OVERLY HONEST REVIEWS
Nick Beaulieu is a filmmaker and freelance journalist from Omaha, Nebraska. Previously, Nick was a Contributing Writer on THE LAST TEAR, a documentary produced by Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He most recently contributed to the series AMERICAN PORTRAIT, filming and editing stories that featured artists and activists from around Nebraska, which aired nationally on PBS. He served a four-year term on the board of directors with Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE). He has received grants for his work from Humanities Nebraska, the Union for Contemporary Art, the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Mellon Foundation. He’s the founder of “Documentary Omaha”, a community organization committed to advancing the art and education of documentary filmmaking in Omaha.
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