Once Films
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A boutique film and video production company in St. Louis, MO creating documentary-style content for
We’re a close knit group of creative zealots and we make short films. We’re curious, purposeful, agile and we apply our talents to create rich, compelling, beautiful stories to connect people and inspire community.
09/22/2026
It's official: today is Trail State Day in Missouri! 🥾🌿
Governor Mike Kehoe has proclaimed September 22, 2026 as Trail State Day, the same day our documentary The Trail State premieres. We couldn't have scripted it better.
In partnership with Magnificent Missouri, Nine PBS, STL.org, the film starts with the 1986 flood that led to the Katy Trail and follows the Rock Island Trail's transformation happening right now. It's a story of the people, small towns and small businesses that made Missouri a trail state.
See you TONIGHT at the Missouri History Museum
5 PM happy hour with Amighetti's and live music from Chloe Hoecker
6:30 PM screening, followed by a conversation with director Chris Ryan and historian Darby Ratliff
Can't make it tonight? Watch statewide on Nine PBS on October 12 at 7 PM.
Thank you to the Governor's office, and to everyone who builds, maintains and loves Missouri's trails. See you on the trail! 💚
09/21/2026
“The advocacy work doesn’t stop once the edit is done. Rather, it’s just getting started.” —Chris Ryan, Director of The Trail State documentary Chris Ryan
That’s the heart of The Trail State.
Thanks to St. Louis Magazine for taking a closer look at the film, the people behind it, and the story of Missouri’s trails as more than places to ride, walk and explore. They’re economic engines, connectors between communities, and a resource worth investing in.
We’re proud to have made this film with Magnificent Missouri through the Filmanthropic initiative of Once Films + STL.org and even more excited to see where it goes from here.
Next stop: the St. Louis premiere September 22 at Missouri History Museum, followed by a broadcast on Nine PBS October 12.
Because finishing the film was never the finish line.
Thank you St. Louis Magazine and Max Havey for helping us tell the story.
Read the full story at the link in our profile or find the link in our Stories.
This Week at Once: Columbia. St. Louis. Chicago. New York. 🎬
Apparently being in four places at Once is kind of our thing.
🎥 Columbia, MO for the first premiere of The Trail State at the State Historical Society of Missouri. State Historical Society of Missouri
🎙️💨 Meanwhile, back in St. Louis, more podcasting with Catholic Health Association and talking art and smoke rings with fine artist Donald Sultan for Lococo Fine Art Publisher at ASH CIGAR & BAR LOUNGE .
✈️ And while all that was happening, crews were in Chicago + New York with Catholic Extension, capturing the good work and meaningful stories happening in communities across the country.
Four cities. One very busy week. A whole lot of stories worth telling.
That’s Once.
This Week at Once 🎬
A little science, a little symphony, a wrap, and a whole lot of St. Louis.
🔬 More work with our friends at Saint Louis Science Center
🎶 Counterpublic at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra , and wait… we spy Stéphane 👀 Stéphane Denève
📚 Taking a closer look at St. Louis County Library
🥂 And a wrap party for The Trail State! Grateful to all of our partners who helped bring this story to life.
Next stop: Missouri History Museum , then coming to Nine PBS. Missouri, we’re just getting started.
THIS WEEK AT ONCE 🎬
Shoot. Edit. Repeat. It’s been a busy stretch at Once, with plenty of time behind the camera and even more in the edit suites bringing new projects across the finish line.
But amid all that hustle, one shoot slowed us down in the best way, a day in the park with a mother and daughter sharing their story for Mindhaven. A reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories are found in the quiet moments between two people who mean everything to each other.
Stay tuned. This is one we’re especially grateful to help tell. ❤️
This Week at Once 🎬
Busy looks good on us.
✔️Up close and personal with David Halen, violinist and Concertmaster at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. 🎻
✔️A visit to the storied grounds of Bellefontaine Cemetery. Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
✔️Conversations with the changemakers at Arch Grants.
✔️Things got sweet with Harold’s Famous Bee Co. 🍯🐝
✔️And a first look at the trailer for The Trail State with Magnificent Missouri. 🚲🌿 STL.org
Music. History. Innovation. Honey. Trails. A busy week doing what we love—finding and telling great stories.
This Week at Once 🎬
We put some miles on the map this week. 🚐💨
🎶 A trip through Missouri, stopping at some iconic spots for Papa Ray’s Vintage Vinyl Roadshow
🚲 More miles and stories from The Trail State
🐾 Back to Cincinnati with our friends at Purina Purina
🏛️ And another great visit to Gateway Arch Park Foundation Gateway Arch
From record bins to trails, Cincinnati to the riverfront—we’re always chasing the next great story.
This Week at Once 🎥🚲
More miles. More stories. More .
This week, we were back on two wheels capturing Missouri’s trail story — including and some pretty iconic views at the Gateway Arch.
Biking. Filming. Connecting the dots between our trails, our communities and the places that make Missouri home.
The Trail State keeps rolling. 🚲🎬
This Week at Once 🎥🎶
Live music, beignets, and plenty of vinyl in New Orleans for Papa Ray’s Vintage Vinyl Roadshow. 🎸💿⚜️
Back at the studio, we’re keeping the creative wheels turning with more planning, more stories, and more good things in the works.
From the Big Easy to the editing bay, storytelling never stops.
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3029 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO
63103
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