February 9, 2023
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for the 13th annual Oneota Film Festival (OFF) at purchase Monday, Feb. 13 through Monday, Feb. 27. This local impact driver provides for a weekend of independent film screenings in downtown Decorah. Learn more about OFF, and the history behind this arts nonprofit, from Elise Skellenger, creative director, and Nancy Sojka, long-term board president, in a Co-op Q & A below:
To begin with, could you please share Oneota Film Festival’s mission?
The mission of the Oneota Film Festival is to build and sustain a community of film lovers through screenings and discussion. We strive to inform, inspire, and engage viewers and filmmakers in compelling issues of our time. As a nonprofit community organization, we strive to bring quality film to Decorah and the surrounding communities that explore critical issues or address the great challenges of our time, such as environmental issues, community concerns, and human rights.
When, and where, will this year’s events be held?
The 2023 Oneota Film Festival is Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 5 in downtown Decorah. Screening locations include Hotel Winneshiek, T-Bock’s Upstairs, Driftless Yoga Center, ArtHaus and Convergence Ciderworks.
I’d like to attend; what do I do?
Just show up! There is no cost to attend and you are welcome to come to as many of the films as you wish. The list of films and the schedule are on our website. We also have a free upcoming screening Sunday, Feb. 19, 2:30 p.m. at the Waukon Town Theatre. A great way to make sure that you get to see the films that you select from the schedule is to volunteer to be a doorkeeper or announcer at the screening that you wish to see. Volunteer sign up options will be posted on our website in the near future as well.
What are some highlights to look forward to this year?
We welcome all to attend our opening night ceremonies Thursday evening, March 2 at Hotel Winneshiek’s Steyer Opera House; we will screen the film “John – The Last Cowboy.” Learn more about 92-year-old Montana rancher John Holland here.
Then, starting Friday afternoon, we will have over 40 films showing throughout the weekend. Most films will be shown twice so viewers don’t have to choose between films they’d like to see. We will host a couple of expert panels over the weekend. We invite filmmakers to come to Decorah to discuss their films, issues and ideas with the audience. With the advent of Skype and Zoom, we have had filmmakers from New Zealand, Israel, California and Iowa City participating in question and answer sessions after film screens and this will occur this year as well. Attendees may experience this, for example, by attending our Saturday evening filmmakers’ reception at T-Bock’s.
How are films selected for the Oneota Film Festival?
Films are submitted to our festival each year from people all over the world through a popular film festival website called FilmFreeway. Films are then evaluated by our judging panel. This year, we accepted over 40 films for festival inclusion. We accept films focusing on timely issues; subject matter may include adventure, environmental, social justice, arts, fitness, eco-travel, food/agriculture, creativity and films addressing all aspects of our shared human condition. In addition, some films are curated by the board of directors and invited to be shown at the festival.
How did the Oneota Film Festival come to exist in Decorah?
The Oneota Film Festival was the brainchild of filmmaker/travelers and Luther College alums Walter Ordway and Kyrl Henderson. Walter had met the director of Telluride’s Mountainfilm Festival in Nepal – while he was biking around the world. She invited Walter and his friend to volunteer at Mountainfilm. They were impressed with the ability to talk with filmmakers after seeing a film. They felt that Luther College, and Decorah, would be the perfect place for an event like this and sold the idea to a group of Decorah organizers. The first festivals were held in January on the Luther campus. Last year, the festival was successfully held in downtown Decorah for the first time. Oneota Film Festival is now on the chamber calendar for the first full weekend of March every year.
Why does it matter? What is the significance of independent filmmaking?
Independent filmmakers are a hearty breed of artist – presenting their work to small and large audiences. They fund-raise, make art and do marketing – all at the same time and in cooperation with others of their kind. Generally, they are independent in their choice of subjects and make the best of creating a small business. Of course, their budgets are much smaller than films made by big name movie-making corporations, but they sometimes develop larger companies with larger budgets.
How may I help ensure the sustainability of Oneota Film Festival?
As mentioned above, there is no charge to attend Oneota Film Festival. Festival organizers do not wish cost to be a reason someone cannot have access to a film. This mission may be supported here. Options for support exist at numerous investment points, and gifting a sponsorship also is welcome. All funds raised through supporter levels, sponsorships and donations go directly to programming, workshops and special events that make Oneota Film Festival an incredible northeast Iowa destination experience.
Note: Oneota Co-op is pleased to co-sponsor “A Brush With Life” during this year’s Oneota Film Festival. This film, by OFF Co-founder and former Decorah resident Kyrl Henderson, is about the work, and life, of rural Decorah artist Carl Homstead. We are especially pleased to sponsor this film alongside local producer Patchwork Green Farm of rural Decorah.
Oneota Co-op round up campaigns are intrinsically tied to the Co-op’s community service commitment as outlined in the Co-op Missions and Ends statement. Co-op shoppers are provided the opportunity to round up to the nearest dollar to support this organizational end, which reads as follows:
Oneota Community Co-op Organizational End number seven: “Our members are diverse and engaged, working together and sharing time, energy, and resources to build a resilient and thriving local community.”
Blog compiled by Tanya O’Connor, marketing & outreach
