International Film Festival September 11-13
The first annual Spring Grove International Film Festival opens in a quaint village of 1300 citizens in beautiful southeast Minnesota September 11. The festival is the vision of its Artistic Director, Katie O’Regan, actor/director/producer of theater in New York City and the Midwest.
Attendance is virtual or in-person, and tickets for both options are purchased via giantsoftheearth.org, or by calling (917) 456-6967. Commemorative items such as specially labeled Spring Grove Soda, and T shirts are available at that web site also. Social distancing rules as prescribed by the State of MN are being followed and wearing masks is required for people who choose the in-person option.
50 films are being featured. Screenings, beginning at 9:00AM Friday and Saturday, are shown at three locations on Main Street including the Cinema which features state-of-the-art digital projection on a large screen, and surround sound in stadium-style seating.
Several film directors will be present and there are opportunities to meet with them during the weekend. Another opportunity for mingling with directors and Ed Asner occurs Friday at 5:00PM the MaCalGrove Golf Course located on Highway 44 seven miles east of Spring Grove.
Mayor Sarah Schroeder declared Sunday September 13 Ed Asner Day in Spring Grove, and there is a parade in his honor at 12:30PM with him as Grand Marshall. Legendary film star Ed Asner is a personal friend of Katie O’Regan. Ed is past president of the Screen Actors Guild and a seven-time Emmy award winner. He is known for his role as Lou Grant in the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” which was filmed partially in Minneapolis, as well as numerous TV shows, and for the movie UP. Balloons will be present all over town in celebration of UP
There will be a showing outdoors of UP at 7:45PM Friday and Saturday in an outdoor venue at the far-east end of Main Street on the edge of town. Cars should drive about 1/8 mile, turn right when they see balloons and park in the field at Ye Olde Gray Barn, then take their chairs into the natural amphitheater, and place them six feet away from any other group. At the same location, Sunday afternoon following the parade, (so about 3:15 PM) Katie O’Regan, Ed Asner and film directors will present a Readers Theatre version of “Dream Café,” written by Katie O’Regan.
O’Regan serves as the Development Director for the non-profit organization Giants of the Earth Heritage Center in Spring Grove.
Again, check the web site for new information, and to purchase tickets giantsoftheearth.org
Contact: Katie O’Regan
917.456.6967
katiegiantsoftheearth@gmail.com
