At PANO Marketing, we’re always proud to be part of the incredible work our team puts into producing meaningful content. Recently, our production arm, PANO Productions, achieved an exciting milestone with the Hope in the Heartland: Wichita’s Quest to End Homelessness documentary, which won a Regional Emmy® Award at the 2025 Heartland Regional Emmy® Awards on July 19. This prestigious award is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of everyone involved in this project.
A Story That Matters
The documentary, produced in collaboration with the City of Wichita’s Project HOPE initiative, shines a light on the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Wichita. It follows 22-year-old Caitlin’s journey as she navigates life in one of Wichita’s largest homeless encampments, “Narnia,” and works toward stability with the help of city and nonprofit organizations. With a focus on real people and their lived experiences, the film explores the complexities of homelessness, the challenges of public policy, and the power of community collaboration.
A Collaborative Effort Led by PANO Productions
At the heart of this award-winning film was PANO Productions, the production arm of PANO Marketing. PANO Productions specializes in producing high-impact, documentary-style content that not only informs but also inspires change. From the very beginning of this project, our team was committed to producing a film that would educate the public about homelessness and empower the community to take action.
Ryan W. Gates: Executive Producer and Visionary Leader
Ryan W. Gates, CEO of PANO Marketing and Executive Producer of the documentary, brought his vision and leadership to every phase of the project. “The goal of this documentary has always been to spark conversations about homelessness, educate about misconceptions, and inspire meaningful action that drives change,” says Ryan. “This award helps elevate the awareness of the film, and my hope is that it encourages our community to take even more meaningful steps toward ending homelessness.”
As a passionate advocate for social change, Ryan has always sought to use storytelling to shed light on critical issues. Through Hope in the Heartland, he has once again demonstrated how powerful media can be in driving positive community impact.
Calvin Shadle: Associate Producer and Creative Visionary
Calvin Shadle, Partner & VP of Creative Services at PANO Marketing, served as Associate Producer and played a key role in shaping the visual identity and creative direction of the film. His expertise in design, coupled with his understanding of the project’s mission, helped bring the documentary’s message to life in a visually compelling and impactful way.
Calvin’s ability to blend technical skill with creative insight made him an invaluable member of the production team. As the Associate Producer, Calvin helped ensure that the film stayed true to its vision and resonated with audiences, leaving a lasting impact on those who watched it.
Collaborative Partners and Community Support
While the work of Ryan and Calvin is central to the film’s success, it would not have been possible without the support of our incredible collaborators. The City of Wichita’s Housing & Community Services Department, the Wichita Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), and organizations like C3S Consulting and Development Strategies all played pivotal roles in the film’s production.
The film also highlights key contributors like Angeline F. Johnson, CEO of C3S Consulting and Grant Coordinator for Project HOPE, and Sally Stang, Director of Housing & Community Services for the City of Wichita, both of whom served as producers on the film.
What’s Next for Hope in the Heartland?
The Regional Emmy® win is just the beginning. Hope in the Heartland is now available for free streaming on the City of Wichita’s YouTube channel, making it accessible to an even broader audience. PANO Productions is also working on a series of standalone shorts, Hope in the Heartland: Hope Has a Name, which focuses on individual lived experiences with homelessness. These shorts, which are part of a larger effort to share personal stories and foster empathy, will also be available on YouTube.
PANO Marketing and the Housing & Community Services Department are conducting screenings at state housing conferences and homeless coalitions, while also working to bring the documentary to more streaming platforms.
Join Us in the Fight for Change
At PANO Marketing and PANO Productions, we believe that film has the power to transform the conversation around homelessness and inspire communities to act. If you haven’t seen Hope in the Heartland yet, we encourage you to watch the documentary and share it with your network. The more people who see the film, the greater the chance we have to create lasting change in our community.
Watch the full documentary on the City of Wichita’s YouTube channel here.
To learn more about Project HOPE and our ongoing efforts, visit Project HOPE.