Farm to Film Fest returns this weekend

WASHINGTON — The Farm to Film Festival will return to Washington this weekend, the second year for the arts-centered event in a city that contains the oldest continuously-operating movie theater in the world.

Organizers for the event plan to highlight that historical landmark this year, holding not only a welcome ceremony at the State Theatre, as they did in 2023, but showing three films there as well.

The list includes a documentary about RAGBRAI, a film based on an exhibit at the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, and a well-known documentary about local historian Michael Zahs’ endeavor to save the Brinton Film Collection.

“We have some very good, quality films this year. Documentaries, narratives,” said Farm to Film Festival Board President Lyle Moen. “Our mission hasn’t changed, our mission is to promote the arts, showcase Washington, and have a positive impact on the local economy.”

In 2023, the festival drew 207 attendees, according to Moen. This weekend, the board hopes to double that number. Moen said he felt good about their odds, with a carefully selected lineup of movies on the schedule, each telling a different story in a variety of formats.

“We had 71 films submitted from around the world, the United States and nine different countries,” Moen said. “We screened all 71 films, and selected 38.”

In general, the board president said it was easier to plan an international film festival the second time around.

“We’ve got some great promotions this year, more social media, more posters, advertising, press releases,” he said. “We already had the template from last year, so it’s much easier … we depend on about 50 volunteers to make this successful, so that’s a big effort by the volunteers.”

Those interested can visit farmtofilmfest.org for a complete list of films, the weekend’s schedule, screening locations, and more information.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com