Nearly 70 entries in Washington's film festival

WASHINGTON -- The first international Farm to Film festival in Washington was a success, said organizers, with 207 registered guests and 969 film views.

F2F aims to double that this year.

A total of 68 independent filmmakers have submitted films to be exhibited at Washington's second F2F, April 20-21.

Washington is the home of the historic State Theater, the longest continuously operated movie theater in the world, F2F said in a news release.

It is also home to film historian Michael Zahs who is featured in the award-winning film preservation documentary Saving Brinton.

In addition, Washington was the home of the late Frank Brinton who was one of the earliest exhibitors of moving pictures in the country. The mission of F2F is to engage and entertain audiences through film and to inspire thought-provoking conversation.

Lyle Moen is president of the F2F Board; Melinda Lord is the director. Other board members are Nancy Rash, Isabella Santoro, Lorraine Williams, Millie Youngquist, Ed Chabal and Rick Loula

Michael Zahs serves as an advisor.

Each member of the F2F board has viewed and scored all the entries. Filmmaker Kelsay Kremer will kick off the festival at the State Theater Saturday morning with “SHIFT: The RAGBRAI Documentary,” followed by Filmmaker Kyrl Henderson's “A Brush With Life.”

On Sunday morning at the State Theater, local film historian Michael Zahs will present “Saving Brinton” and lead discussion after the film.

F2F hopes to continue Washington's rich heritage by once again staging the annual festival with films shown at venues within walking distance of the downtown square.

The films will be shown at five venues: The Washington City Hall Council Chambers, the Washington Public Library, Art Domestique, the former YMCA and the State Theater.

Admittance to the festival is free of charge. Film categories include documentary feature over 40 minutes, short documentary, narrative feature over 40 minutes, narrative short film under 40 minutes, animated, experimental, student, women and minority and Iowa made.

Laurel awards and certificates will be given in each category.

For more information, go to the F2F website at FarmtoFilmFest.org.