Logan Theatres will hold the South Dakota Premiere showings of the new film “Farmer of the Year” starting Friday at the company’s three theatres in Dell Rapids, Mitchell and Huron. The film’s producers, Vince O’Connell and Kathy Swanson, will make personal appearances in Mitchell and Huron. The film is scheduled to play for one week in all three cities through Thursday, September 6.
Friday, August 31, they will be at a public welcoming reception at the Second Floor Art Gallery at the Corn Palace at 5:30. They will be driven to the Luxury 5 Cinemas at 6:30 for a red carpet event where they will introduce the movie. They will also hold a question and answer session following the screening.
Saturday they will be at the Freedom Stage at the State Fair in Huron as guests of the SD Farmer’s Union. That evening, they will be at the red carpet event at 7:00 the Huron Luxury Cinemas to sign autographs and introduce the film. They will also answer questions from the audience after the 7:00 showing.
Swanson, who is originally from Tyler, Minnesota, also wrote the film. The couple filmed part of it at the Corn Palace last summer. The comedy-drama is an affectionate look at farm life and generational differences. A widowed 83-year-old Minnesota farmer sells his farm to his daughter. Bored with retirement, he decides to travel with his rebellious granddaughter across country in his 40-year-old Winnebago to a reunion of his World War Two army outfit. On the way, they stop at the Corn Palace. Mitchell residents Cheryl Miller, Arin Winger, John, Lori and Ryan Solberg have parts in the movie.
“Farmer of the Year” has been selected to play at film festivals across the country. It won the Audience Choice Award at the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Festival and was an Audience Choice finalist at the Sedona, Arizona Film Festival. It was nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Actor for Barry Corbin at the Soho International Film Festival in New York City.
More information and the trailer can be found on the movie’s website at www.yellowhousefilms.com/home/farmeroftheyear