Payton Burkhammer: Lamest Place in the World Research Exhibit
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Wed, May 21, 2025 - Sat, Jun 14, 2025
Location
Akron Soul Train
191 S Main St
Details
Celebrating the process of creativity and innovation, film writer and director Payton Burkhammer presents a look into her research for her first feature-length screenplay, Lamest Place in the World. Focusing on placemaking and the passage of time through women-led narratives, the screenplay explores some of life’s pivotal questions: Is a person’s life directed by their choices, or is their fate inherent? How does one navigate an uncertain future? Would knowing the future provide peace of mind or create more personal conflict?
The Midwest’s landscapes, culture, and distinct charm inspired Burkhammer’s screenplay, which follows four college-aged characters on a road trip to unusual yet nostalgic small-town tourist attractions. Burkhammer scouted regional Ohio locations—like the World’s Largest Basket—to collect visual and cultural content, local history, and production notes. Payton Burkhammer’s Lamest Place in the World Research Exhibit includes photographs and tourist ephemera to create a montage unlocking a unique perspective into Burkhammer’s scriptwriting and worldbuilding.
“In my directorial approach, I strive for grounded realism, capturing people as they truly are in front of me. I believe in the transformative power of everyday conversations with the people we love and exploring how those interactions can change our lives. I am drawn to authenticity and creating moments that feel so life-like you wonder if it was scripted.” — Payton Burkhammer
About the Artist Payton Burkhammer:
Payton Burkhammer is an award-winning indie film director based in Akron, Ohio. After graduating from The University of Akron, she produced videos for Downtown Akron Partnership and later was the Creative Content Manager for Amp Strategy. In 2023, Burkhammer was selected for the Cleveland Indie Film Incubator, and in 2024, her film “The Back Of Your Eyelids” won Best Narrative Film at the Highland Square Film Festival in Akron and the Audience Choice Award at the Short Sweet Film Festival in Cleveland. She is a founding member of Girl Set Cleveland, a group that provides free film production workshops to women, trans, and non-binary individuals. Her work has been featured at Cinema Columbus, Midwest Slam Fest, Standing Rock International Film Festival, MTN Craft Film Fest, The Care Awards, and The Nightlight.
Akron Soul Train is open Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm.
