New film about end of life reflects expanded mission for hospice nonprofit  

Hospice Foundation for Outreach Inc. extended a warm welcome and a package of tissues to every guest at last night’s invitation-only preview of “The Soft Surrender,” a new documentary by filmmaker and photographer Randy Bacon. 

The screening – complete with free popcorn – was held at Alamo Drafthouse Springfield.  

The documentary is part of a new vision for HFO, according to Rachel Fortenberry, president of its board of directors.  

“The premiere represents an innovative way of engaging the community, fostering partnerships and opening the door to future collaborations that will benefit both families and employers,” she said. “End-of-life care is not just a personal matter – it has ripple effects on employees, businesses and the community at large.” 

The film, which also has an accompanying photo exhibition, will have its official debut at a gala premiere featuring some of those who share their stories in it. That event is set for Nov. 1 at the Gillioz Theatre, where admission prices start at $75. 

But not everyone in “The Soft Surrender” will be there. In a film that documents the realities of the hospice experience for patients, caregivers and professionals, some of those featured did not live long enough to make it to the red carpet. 

Brandy Proffitt is one of those whose candor about her terminal illness helped to shine a light on how hospice works for those nearing the end of life. Proffitt died shortly after she was filmed, but in one scene, Bacon’s voice can be heard asking her what she planned to wear to the premiere. 

Proffitt said she figured she’d wear pajamas if she was allowed to, and Bacon told her that of course she could, but he also explained that it would be a fancy, red-carpet event, just like in Hollywood. 

At that point, Proffitt stared for several long moments at the filmmaker who is behind the camera in front of her. 

“That’s crazy,” she said finally. 

Another person filmed just days before her death is Betty Jean Reaves Smith of Joplin. 

Smith used her final platform to share from her hospital bed the main lesson she gleaned from her 96 years of life. 

“We all have problems, and we all have found a way of solving them,” she said. “Don’t be the problem; be the solution. And that is it.” 

The filming began in early November 2024 and wrapped in May, according to Project Director Mandy Vela of Randy Bacon Photography Inc. 

Rebranding and refocus 
HFO announced a name change from Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks on Aug. 6, when nonprofit officials stated in an Instagram post that the change reflects a growing mission and national impact. 

The organization’s website continues the explanation, noting, “While our roots are firmly planted in southwest Missouri, our mission has evolved. We’re no longer just funding local nonprofits; we’re leading national conversations, programs and partnerships that are reshaping how end-of-life care is approached in communities across the country.” 

The new name better reflects the scale of HFO’s work, the announcement states. 

“Our efforts are now designed to serve, educate and advocate for individuals and caregivers nationwide,” the website states. 

HFO identifies “The Soft Surrender” as one initiative that inspired its change. 

Bacon has writing and directing credits for the film, which he said the team plans to enter into festivals and try to distribute nationally. 

The executive producer is listed as Hospice Foundation for Outreach, and organization officials described the collaboration as a partnership. The agreement did include payment from HFO for Bacon and other members of the production team; however, Fortenberry said the organization was opting not to disclose financial details. 

“Producing this film represents a shift toward proactively shedding light on caregivers and hospice workers to help end the stigma around hospice, death and dying,” she said. 

It’s an effort that was made possible by a strong network brought together by HFO, she said, citing doctors, nurses, chaplains, hospice and palliative care teams, assisted living and nursing home providers, and other professionals who share in the hospice mission. 

HFO’s first End-of-Life Care Summit – also part of the expanded focus that led to the renaming – was held in Springfield in March, and the second is set for February 2026. Fortenberry said that first event brought together hundreds of professionals, many of whom collaborated to support the film project. 

Getting the word out 
Bacon said in an interview that the strategy after the premiere is to send the documentary to as many festivals as possible. 

“We’re trying to get that lift on it so that it can even get a wider audience,” he said. “Ultimately, my hope and dream is that it gets a major streaming platform, because then a lot of people can see it.” 

The film had four producers who worked hard to make it happen, Bacon said. In addition to HFO as executive producer, the credits listed co-producers Dr. David Sommerfeld, Phil Melugin and Tara Bielinski. It was Bielinski who shared the original idea for the film in a wee-hours phone call, Bacon said. He added that numerous people took time out of work to show up and help with the film. 

He said he did not use the Missouri Motion Media Protection Tax Credit Program, also called the Show MO Act, because there was not enough time to apply. 

The film met with vigorous applause from members of the audience, many of whom cheered or high-fived when the names of someone they knew showed up in the rolling credits. 

In a conversation after the screening, Bielinski spoke up from her seat in the audience to mention a part of Bacon’s conversation with Proffitt that didn’t make the final cut. In it, she said, Bacon told Proffitt that if she wore pajamas, he would, too. 

“I cannot wait to see what kind of pajamas he wears,” Bielinski said. 

Bacon took the comment in stride. 

“I’m going to need very formal pajamas,” he said. 

The trailer of the film is available at Vimeo.com.