Bess O'Brien Will Debut Vermont Documentary in September
The 90-minute film highlighting local stories will tour 12 Vermont communities this fall.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Documentary
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Filmmaker Bess O'Brien will premiere her latest documentary, Every Day: Big and Small, in Burlington on September 25, 2026. The 90-minute film profiles diverse residents and grassroots efforts across the state.
Why it matters
O'Brien produced the film to emphasize hope and human connection, aiming to provide a positive counterpoint to the current national political climate.
The documentary features a 90-minute runtime and showcases stories gathered from 12 Vermont cities and towns. It follows O'Brien's previous directorial work on the 2024 film Just Getting By and the 2014 project The Hungry Heart.
The players
Bess O'Brien
Bess O'Brien is a Vermont-based filmmaker known for directing documentaries that focus on social issues and local narratives.
John and Jenny Mackenzie
John and Jenny Mackenzie are Vermont residents who became the subjects of the film after rebuilding their home following 2024 flooding.
Kevin Zheng
Kevin Zheng is a student featured in the documentary who resides in the St. Johnsbury area.
The details
The documentary captures a broad range of Vermont life, featuring a military museum in Danville, a youth aviation program in Swanton, and an equine-assisted therapy center in Sharon. The film also highlights the recovery of John and Jenny Mackenzie following the 2024 floods in Peacham, alongside a segment featuring student Kevin Zheng.
Timeline
The film premieres in Burlington on September 25, 2026.
Screenings will take place in 12 Vermont cities and towns between September 26 and October 11, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project continues the trend of hyper-local documentary filmmaking in Vermont, which focuses on grassroots storytelling rather than national commercial themes. It follows the community-focused production model established by O'Brien's 2014 documentary The Hungry Heart.
Residents across Vermont can view the film during its 12-stop tour starting in late September 2026. Audiences will have access to stories ranging from local aviation programs to flood recovery efforts in Peacham.
The takeaway
The film demonstrates the power of capturing diverse local perspectives to build community cohesion. Viewers can support local storytelling by attending one of the 12 scheduled screenings across the state this fall.
Further reading
For more information on local film projects, visit the Documentary section.
Live Poll
Do you feel that local community storytelling effectively boosts your sense of hope and connection?
