Filmmakers, organizers express gratitude after film fest

WASHINGTON — The second iteration of Farm to Film Fest has come and gone, and organizers say they’re happy with how the weekend event panned out, despite attendance numbers slightly lower than they’d initially hoped for.

Jimmy Morrison’s documentary short, “My Dad The Honor Flight Director” was one of three submissions shown at the Washington State Theatre, a landmark famous as the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the world.

The venue’s history wasn’t lost on Morrison, but he said he was most thrilled by the location in Washington, rather than the building itself.

“The film’s about my dad, but it’s also about my grandpa — my dad took my grandpa on the honor flight — and my grandpa and grandma grew up in Washington,” he said. “So, literally, in the 1920s they came to this movie theater as kids, and now I get to show them on the big screen. It’s like a dream come true for me.”

Film Festival Board President Lyle Moen said the appreciation from Morrison and other directors was shared by volunteers and organizers of the weekend-long event.

“The Filmmakers consider it an honor to have their films screened here in Washington at Farm to Film Fest, but we consider it an honor to have them attend and share their films,” Moen said in an email.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com