Nicole Baxter
Arts and Culture ReporterExpertise: Sharing stories about Iowans and the cultural landscape that makes Iowa unique
Education: University of Northern Iowa
Favorite Iowa Destination: Color the Wind Kite Festival in Clear Lake
Experience:
- Brings multimedia arts and lifestyle stories to Iowans
- Curates coverage, events and recommendations in IPR's weekend newsletter Chatter
- Covers Iowa film news as part of IPR's 2 for the Show
- Edited and produced daily digital news stories with reporters
- Produced content for IPR’s internationally award-winning newsletters
- Has written features on an indigenous violinist pursuing a career in Hollywood as a film composer, a German filmmaker/author visiting Iowa City and a silent-era satire protesting anti-Semitism.
- Served as a staff writer at The Northern Iowan
My Favorite Stories
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From his golden hair and blue eyes to his striking smile and charming nature, actor Robert Redford was a Hollywood heartthrob. He was also an award-winning director, a producer, an industry leader and a political activist. Although his career and life have come to a close, he left us with decades of great films to revisit and discover. If you haven’t had the chance to fall in love with Redford yet, here’s where to start. -
Celebrating adaptation is at the heart of the Refocus Film Festival in Iowa City. But this year, another unifying theme emerged: art as a form of revolution. From regional premieres to newly restored classics, the four-day festival featured many movies that inspired conversation around social change. -
It was 80 years ago that the Karp family walked out of Oskar Schindler’s factory as free Jews. They had survived the unimaginable and would soon find a new life in Iowa. Celina, who was just 13 at the time, shares her story of overcoming hate and the importance of finding your voice.
My Latest Stories
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What do we owe each other as Americans? That’s the question that kicks off The Work in Progress, a timely, new documentary that features everyday Americans — including several Iowans — in conversation with one another. The film will screen in Iowa City on Oct. 16. -
John Waters has been called many things: the king of camp, the Pope of trash, obscene. But one thing he can’t be called is boring. The trailblazing filmmaker behind the cult classics Pink Flamingos and Hairspray will grace the Englert Theatre stage in Iowa City on Friday for his latest live comedy show. -
The Refocus Film Festival is ringing in its fifth year, and this time it’s “bigger and bolder” than ever. From Oscar contenders to special guests, see what’s in store during the four-day festival hosted by FilmScene in Iowa City Oct. 22-25. -
A celebration of local arts and culture is set to take over downtown Ames this weekend. The city will play host to not one but two festivals on Sunday, including the inaugural Ames Documentary Film Festival. -
'2 for the Show' hit the road over Labor Day weekend to attend the 53rd Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. The four-day festival played host to many high-profile Oscar contenders, plus a top-secret screening that quickly became the talk of the internet. Read on for a recap of the festival, including our thoughts on all the films we saw. -
Rebecca Fons knows art house cinema when she sees it. The Iowan has spent nearly two decades in independent film exhibition and now works in London as a film curator. Ahead of Art House Theater Day on July 30, she shared what it means to bring independent movies to cinemas across the world. -
For cinephiles, July means one thing: the Criterion Collection sale at Barnes & Noble. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just Criterion-curious, we’ve put together a list of movies to help get your collection started. -
Celebrate the anniversary of the first drive-in movie theater by visiting a theater near you. Just four remain in Iowa. -
Before heading to the polls on June 2 to cast your ballot for the 2026 primary election, check our voter guide to see who’s running in major races in Iowa and for other important voter registration information. -
A new film festival celebrating Latino culture and community is coming to Iowa City this weekend. The inaugural Aquí y Allá Latin American Film Festival takes place May 1-3 at FilmScene’s Chauncey cinema and features six new premieres.
