THE 100 YEAR EFFECT

JDIFF 2026 Selection The 100 Year Effect Explores How Generations Shape Our Health

 

At the 2026 Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, filmmaker William Stuart presents The 100 Year Effect, a documentary that examines how health is shaped not only by individual choices, but by the experiences of previous generations.

 

Following both a scientist and a Hollywood producer, the film traces a journey to understand how environmental and inherited factors influence long term health, while exploring ways to break cycles of chronic disease and create better outcomes for the future.

 

The project is rooted in emerging research around epigenetics, which suggests that the conditions faced by parents and even grandparents can leave a lasting imprint. “That realization felt both urgent and hopeful, and we wanted to translate that science into something a broader audience could understand,” Stuart says.

 

Rather than presenting the material as a traditional science lecture, The 100 Year Effect takes a more human approach, blending complex ideas with storytelling that is accessible and engaging. The film emphasizes connection, responsibility, and the idea that change is still possible.

 

At its core, the documentary centers on a simple but powerful idea. “The future isn’t fixed. The choices we make today can positively impact generations to come,” Stuart says.

 

Production focused on bridging two worlds, bringing together scientific voices and cinematic storytelling to make the subject matter both informative and emotionally resonant. The challenge was not just accuracy, but clarity, translating complex research into something audiences can understand and act on.

 

While global in scope, the film’s themes carry strong relevance for communities like those in the Midwest, where generational ties and shared responsibility remain central. Its inclusion at JDIFF reflects a growing appetite for documentaries that not only inform but also invite conversation and reflection.

 

With its screening at the festival, The 100 Year Effect positions itself as both a call to awareness and a message of possibility. It challenges audiences to reconsider what shapes their health and what role they play in shaping the future.

 

Follow the film: Website: www.100yeareffect.com