Windsor reopens with independent film festival with Iowa focus

The silver screen at the Windsor Theatre will be lit up once again beginning this weekend.

For the four weekends in June, the Windsor will host the “Celebrate Iowa” independent film festival. Each weekend will bring a different independent film, all shot in the state of Iowa.

The series kicks off Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7 with “Silo,” an award winning film partially shot in Mason City. The plot tells the story of an accident in a small town that threatens to tear apart family and friends.

Windsor manager Jim Davies said the idea was a collaboration between Windsor representatives and Les Nelson, who helps the Windsor with on screen advertising and serves on the Iowa Independent Film Board of Directors. With no new movies released for the foreseeable future, the Windsor needed a fun, unique way to celebrate the return of audiences to the theater.

“This is something I always thought we could maybe do,” he said. “I thought at some point the Windsor could host a film festival but it took a pandemic to come up with this idea.”

The festival continues next weekend, June 12 through June 14 with “Saints Rest,” an award-winning musical about the Midwest filmed in Grinnell, Iowa. “Rise of the Sea Urchins,” shot in several Iowa communities including Forest City and Decorah, hits the screen on June 19 through June 21. The comedy follows main character Ted Biddles, who has aspirations to be a water polo superstar. The series ends on June 26 through June 28 with “Get Your Shorts On,” a series of short comedy, drama and thriller films.

Each show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and a 1 p.m. matinee is aavailable Sunday as well. Tickets are $3 at the door, or discount tickets for all four shows are available at Center One.

Along with the film series, the Windsor will also continue to offer popcorn takeout after the shows begin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Davies said the festival’s offerings were selected, in part, to give audience members of all ages and preferences something to watch and enjoy.

“What I like about this is it’s reaching a different market or some different people maybe more than your traditional first run movies,” he said. “It’s bringing different films to town to give people a chance to see something new and the films are filmed in Iowa.”

While the Windsor is allowed to show movies with an audience again, safety limitations and guidelines will still be put in place. Davies said the audience will be limited to 100 people and sections of seats have been roped off for social distancing purposes. He said masks won’t be required, but are recommended.

Windsor staff worked throughout last week to disinfect the building and more staff and volunteers will be on hand during the shows to take tickets, usher people to available seats and serve concessions.

In order to help fund the series and bring revenue lost during the closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sponsors levels have been added. Sponsorship levels are broken into $500, $250 and $100 sponsorships and include a certain amount of reserved seats and popcorn for each movie every weekend. An additional sponsorship level for $300 allows a sponsor for one weekend and includes reserved seats and popcorn. Those who would like to sponsor a movie or for more information can contact Davies at windsortheatre@msn.com or at 641-425-4707.