Meet Neil Sandhoefner, product director and actuary at Mutual of Omaha, who combines his love of cinema with his analytical skills as a board member for Film Streams, an Omaha nonprofit organization.
As a University of Nebraska at Omaha student, he fell in love with movies. Plot twist — he wasn’t drawn to the big budget blockbuster shows. Instead, he discovered a whole new world of cinema available to check out in his college library. This is where he discovered independent films, elevating fascinating stories that were far from the mainstream.
“My friends weren’t interested in the films I liked, and these shows weren’t featured at the local theaters,” Sandhoefner said. “So, I turned to the library, which was a tremendous resource of storylines that just spoke to me. As much as I enjoyed these films, watching movies became a very solitary experience. I never thought I’d be able to enjoy those films in a local theater.”
In 2007, Film Streams opened near downtown Omaha, presenting first-run American independent films, international films and documentaries. Sandhoefner was hooked — not just as a patron, but as a volunteer.
“I started by handing out flyers, then I joined the finance committee and now I’m the treasurer of the board,” Sandhoefner said. “As an actuary, it’s fun to apply my analytical business skills to support this grassroots arts organization. We’ve been able to grow our memberships and overall community impact.”
During a time when there are so many streaming options, Film Streams works hard to attract a diverse audience.
“It’s all about the customer experience,” Sandhoefner said. “We’re competing for people’s time, so each visit must be meaningful. Great concessions, early releases and a speaker series are just a few ways we bring value to our members. We’re also providing access to stories that people wouldn’t be able to watch otherwise, which is core to our mission.”
Sandhoefner believes movies bring people together on a shared journey of emotion, education and entertainment.
“Cinema is an artform that exposes us to the human condition in a way that might be different than our own experience. It’s magical when a film opens up everyone’s experience, compassion and understanding.”
One of his favorite Film Streams programs is School to Screen, which provides opportunities for local students grades 6-12 to enjoy a screening, post-show discussion and healthy lunch.
“What a difference this program makes for young people,” Sandhoefner said. “It provides a unique forum for discussion, reflection and expression. It’s teaching people how to really engage with film, which I think helps grow emotional maturity.”
Sandhoefner advocates that the arts are good for our overall individual and societal well-being. “There are a lot of problems in the world and so many of us are dealing with stress and anxiety. The arts bring us together in a way that engages our emotions and reminds us that we’re all interconnected. There’s no such thing as too much empathy or kindness.”
When it comes to making a difference, he has the ticket for an inspiring storyline. “We’re so fortunate to work for a company that encourages community service. Volunteering doesn’t have to be tedious. You can definitely leverage your passion, interests and skills to help others.”