DES MOINES, IOWA (December 9, 2025) — The makers of Jury of Her Peers, a new independent feature film, will hit the road immediately following its World Premiere Weekend in Des Moines.
The first stop on the film’s “Roadshow Tour” will be Davenport, Iowa, where the Quad Cities Film Office and YWCA Quad Cities will sponsor a special screening at The Last Picture House on Tuesday, December 16, 6:30PM. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/JuryOfHerPeers.
A Q&A session with the filmmakers will follow the screening. For more information about the film, visit www.juryofherpeers.com.
About the Film
Jury of Her Peers revisits one of Iowa’s most haunting early-twentieth-century true-crime cases: the still-unsolved axe murder of farmer John Hossack. The crime, and the complex social tensions surrounding it, first entered the public imagination through the reporting of Susan Glaspell, a Davenport-born journalist who later became a Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright and a central figure in modern American drama.
Glaspell’s short play Trifles and subsequent short story A Jury of Her Peers, both inspired by the Hossack case, remain among her most enduring works. The new film marks the first feature-length adaptation of the material.
Production and Creative Team
The film is the flagship project of Des Moines–based Will Do Films, LLC, led by Writer–Director William Rock. It is produced by Amy Nigg and shot by cinematographer John Hansen, known for his work in the 48-Hour Film Festival circuit.
The cast includes several well-known regional actors, such as Stephanie Schneider, Cheyenne Goode, and Brianne Magel, each highlighting the story’s enduring emotional power and its exploration of female resilience, relationships, and community.
According to producer Amy Nigg, “Things have changed greatly — and yet sometimes not at all — between then and now. Relationships, marriages, families. . . they’re complicated. But at its heart, this story centers on women trying to make it work.”
Rock adds, “Bringing a slice of Iowa history to life with an award-winning cast and crew was an absolute dream. If you like true crime, Iowa history, indie film — or just the smell of popcorn — this movie is for you.”
YWCA Quad Cities Partnership
Julie Larson, CEO of YWCA Quad Cities, notes Glaspell’s significance:
“Glaspell is one of this country’s earliest feminist literary voices. She co-founded the Provincetown Players, a crucial force in the movement for modern American theater. She made it her mission to elevate women’s perspectives — something that strongly resonates with YWCA Quad Cities.”
About The Last Picture House
The Last Picture House, located at 325 East 2nd Street, Davenport, is a boutique independent cinema created by Iowa native filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (creators of A Quiet Place and Heretic). It has quickly become a cultural hub for film lovers and independent productions.
Roadshow Tour and Additional Screenings
Following Davenport, Will Do Films is scheduling additional Roadshow screenings at independent cinemas across Iowa and the Midwest, as well as appearances at colleges, universities, bookstores, and libraries. More details will be announced soon, and venues interested in bookings are encouraged to reach out.
