A short segment from the NET Television series “Nebraska Stories” was selected to be part of the first Local Filmmakers Showcase presented by Film Streams in Omaha.

“Fantasia in Clay” was one of 14 films presented within a single, two-hour program shown daily Aug. 6-12, at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater.

The “Nebraska Stories” segment “Fantasia in Clay,” produced by NET Television’s Kelly Rush and Dowagiac native Brian Seifferlein, was selected following a highly competitive process, with the jury screening dozens of quality films.

Rush produced the segment while Seifferlein directed and served as videographer and editor.

“Fantasia in Clay” profiled Gerit Grimm, a clay artist from the former East Germany, who brings style, parody and irony to her creations.

When NET Television videotaped the segment with Grimm, she was a resident artist at the Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln.

Rush and Seifferlein interviewed her while she created her clay pieces at the pottery wheel and worked around her studio space.

During the seven-minute segment, Grimm’s own words tell the story of her artistry.

The Local Filmmakers Showcase opened with two special engagements.

On opening night, Friday, Aug. 6, Film Streams premiered the film showcase and hosted a preview party with the filmmakers.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, the showcase was part of North Downtown Day in Omaha.

A percentage of the box office earnings for the week-long run went to each of the directors whose films were featured in the showcase.

Local Filmmakers Showcase was a new initiative dedicated to premiering the work of filmmakers from Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.