Jeff Nichols, a filmmaker who is steeped in southern culture, has modernized what it means to be an American regional storyteller. Take Shelter is the Arkansas-born, Austin-based filmmaker’s rumination on an empire in decline and its shattering effects on masculinity. The film features one of the greatest career performances of Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon, as well as a breakout role for the then-emerging actress Jessica Chastain. Jeff Nichols moved to Austin after university studies to pursue filmmaking and was the recipient of several Austin Film Society grants early in his career.