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Film Fest returns to Washington this weekend
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — Washington’s newest annual event is back this weekend, as dozens of independent films light up screens set up around downtown for the third Farm to Film Festival. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where, when and how to catch movies:
Film fest entries will screen Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the Washington Public Library, Art Domestique, City Point Hub (the former YMCA) and the Washington City Council Chambers.
A full schedule of the day can be picked up at registration, which will start at 9 a.m. at the State Theatre Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. at the Washington Public Library on Sunday, or starting at noon at all screening locations. An online version of the schedule is available at FarmtoFilmFest.org.
Entry to the event is free. Attendees are asked to register at the above-mentioned tables when they first arrive.
What to see:
The weekend promises a variety of options for every moviegoer.
“Don't worry, we won't bombard you with agricultural documentaries,” said one statement on the film festival’s website. “Our festival features a wide range of films, including narratives, shorts, animations, and more, exploring various themes.”
That said, there were a few entries named “top of the crop” by the festival’s board. Those are playing in the following time blocks:
- Documentary Feature: “Resurrecting Forest Grove” by Kelly Rundle. April 12 at Art Domestique, 12:45 p.m. April 13 at Art Domestique, 3 p.m.
- Documentary Short: “Stories of Regeneration” by Benjamin and Mariel Nathan. April 12 at City Council Chambers 12:45 p.m., WPL 3 p.m.
- Iowa-Made: “From Iowa & Back” by Jeremy Glazier. April 13 at City Point Hub at 3 p.m.
- Narrative Short: “The Forest of Souls“ by Pierre Gaffie. April 12 at Art Domestique, 3 p.m. April 13 at City Council Chambers, 12:45 p.m.
- Women-Made: “THE REMOVED” by Rebecca Rose. April 13 at Art Domestique, 12:45 p.m.
- Student Film: “Plus One” by Trianna Douglas. April 13 at City Point Hub, 12:45 p.m., City Council Chambers 3 p.m., WPL 3 p.m.
Special events:
Alongside the various movie screenings, a handful of events will happen in tandem with this weekend’s film festival.
“To Memphis and Back” special screening: On the eve of the festival, April 11, at JP’s 207, the film, “To Memphis and Back” will be screened at 5 p.m. The entry submitted to last year’s festival told the story of the Buckmiller Schwager band, which won the Iowa Blues Challenge and a trip to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2022. After the screening, the Buckmiller Schwager band will perform live.
“Silent Night in Algona” State Theater kickoff: The weekend of activity will formally kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday with a welcoming address at the State Theatre, known to many entrants as the world’s oldest continuously-operating movie theater. At 9:30, organizers will show film fest entry “Silent Night in Algona,” a 2+ hour film which “tells the poignant story of when a World War II prisoner-of-war camp was located in Algona, Iowa” according to a program shared with The Union.
Filmmaker Panel: a panel of directors, actors and other filmmaking professionals with entries in this year’s F2F event will attend a social function and field audience questions at the Washington Public Library Saturday night, from 7-9 p.m.
Brinton Film Presentation: Washington County Historian Michael Zahs will make a presentation at the Washington Public Library 10 a.m. Sunday, about the Brinton Film Collection, a lineup of some of the oldest moving pictures, magic lantern slides and audio recordings known to exist, which he had a lead role in preserving after discovering them in a basement in 1981.
Movie Poster Display: At 11 a.m. Sunday at the Washington Public Library, Mike Piepel of the Greene County Historical Society will showcase his impressive collection of movie posters.
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
