God, Guts & Grit: The Story of Nina Paul Shumway
This upcoming documentary chronicles the life of a pioneering woman in early 20th-century California, who braved the Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountains to create a lasting legacy. Known for her resilience, Nina challenged societal expectations by mastering desert survival, conservation, and even poker. Through trials of love, loss, and personal strength, she built a sanctuary in the mountains, which became a cultural landmark. Her writings and poetry capture her extraordinary journey and enduring connection to the rugged California wilderness.
Emmy-Nominated Producer/Director Pamela Peak
Pamela Peak is an award-winning screenwriter, producer/director and filmmaker whose works have been broadcast to over 50 million viewers on PBS. Her film Colorblind was picked up by 132 PBS stations, broadcast through American Public Television.
When John and Yolanda Kalb brought the story of Nina Paul Shumway to Pamela she felt an immediate connection with Nina, her courage, her grit, the steep ups and downs of the events of her life, and the peace and divine serenity that Nina Paul Shumway found in the beautiful nature of The Coachella Valley.
“It was Nina’s courage and spirit that amazed me” says Pamela. “She was a woman who got involved in things to make them better and she never gave up!”
Pamela’s award-winning films Colorblind and Voices of a Never-Ending Dawn have been loved by millions of PBS viewers across America and Canada (through PBS Detroit). Pamela’s documentaries are always inspirational, and it was the great inspiration that Nina Paul Shumway found in nature that spoke to Pamela’s heart.
Producers John & Yolanda Kalb
John and Yolanda Kalb, the producers of the upcoming documentary film about Nina Paul Shumway, are residents of Mountain Center, California for 25 years, which is very close to Shumway Ranch. They were very excited to see what was developing when Daniel Foster, an award-winning community leader and non-profit executive director, told them about his vision for The Shumway Ranch. John and Yolanda were very inspired about the history that went on at the ranch and wanted to create a documentary film in honor of that history and in honor of Nina Paul Shumway.
For more on John and Yolanda, click below!
Awards & Recognitions
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The Roy W. Dean Grant, hosted by From the Heart Productions, supports unique, socially impactful films with budgets under $500,000, including documentaries, features, and web series. Selected finalists gain access to valuable production resources, fundraising guidance, and mentorship to bring their projects to completion. Winning the grant provides funding and recognition, assisting filmmakers in achieving a meaningful contribution to society. For more details, visit From the Heart Productions.
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Notice: On March 21, 2025, Nina Paul Shumway will be presented the “Women in History” Award from the Coachella Valley chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This is a great honor for her legacy and her family.
Fundraiser
Trailer
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