By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jan 06, 2010 at 3:19 PM

To add yet another film honor to the Milwaukee area, Academy Award Winning Producer Larry Meistrich has chosen the Downer Theatre as a site for this year’s NEHST Out Series of Independent Film.

Producer of such films as "Sling Blade" and "You Can Count on Me," Meistrich and his production company, NEHST Studios, chose Milwaukee as one of 20 U.S. cities for a variety of film events in 2010.

Milwaukee’s first event, a screening of "Running the Sahara," airs this Thursday. A film produced and narrated by Matt Damon, "Running the Sahara" tells the story of three ultra-marathoners who trek across the Sahara Desert. The film is followed by a question and answer session with Charlie Engle, one of the stars of the film.

Set to be scheduled at a later date, the second NEHST Out Series event is a showing of "Mayor of Strawberry Fields," the story of a homeless man in New York who has decorated the John Lennon Memorial for the last 15 years. Also to be held at the Downer Theatre, "Mayor of Strawberry Fields" will be followed by a question and answer with writer and director Torre Catalano as well as a 45 minute performance by soundtrack artist John Ryan.

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.