The Independent Media Video Series @ SMSU was initiated at Missouri State University by mark cooley with sponsorship from the SMSU Film Society. The series ran from 2002 to 2004 in the aftermath of 9/11 with the goal of encouraging critical debate on the campus of SMSU (now MSU) and in surrounding communities. The series came at an important time and helped to bring together activists who soon after galvanized to form the Ozark Peace Network.