When Hap Anderson, a widowed 82 year old Minnesota farmer who thinks he’s still quite the ladies’ man sells his family farm he finds himself adrift and staring a short future in the face. Motivated by the possibility of showing up with an old flame and impressing his old army buddies, he sets out to attend his 65th WWII reunion in California with his unemployed and unreasonably self-confident and entitled granddaughter. Together, each with their own issues and conflicting agendas, they head west in a dilapidated Winnebago.

Encountering oddball tourist attractions and eccentric characters, they find themselves in seemingly impossible situations with only each other for support. From finding a place that will cash a Travelers Cheque to enjoying a cup of instant coffee, as the journey progresses so does their relationship and they begin to understand and appreciate each other as individuals while discovering that their issues are ageless and that family really matters.

With typical understated Midwestern humor and restraint, ‘Farmer of the Year’ delicately blends the comedy and drama of life.

Plays its Ohio premiere three days only April 16th – 18th! Q&As after each showing with directors and Ohio University School of Film alum, Vince O’Connell and Kathy Swanson. Come see a locally-produced independent film at the Athena for its limited release! Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors.

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103 MIN

Journey to the American heartland in Bonnie Hawthorne’s don’t-miss documentary, Dreaming of a Vetter World which features one visionary Nebraska farm family who understood that modern agriculture was ailing, and found a cure. From farmer’s son to soil scientist to missionary and back to farmer again, organic pioneer David Vetter has dedicated his life to a “ministry to the soil.” With camera and camper in tow, Hawthorne leaves her urban California comforts in the rearview mirror to learn from the Vetters about what’s really going on in the corn belt. As interest in regenerating soil explodes worldwide, Hawthorne discovers that David Vetter is way ahead of the game. With both historical context and an eye to the future, Dreaming of a Vetter World shows it’s possible to jump off conventional agriculture’s pesticide treadmill. It’s also a story about love, hope and place; an inspiring example of perseverance and doing what you know is right–against all odds.

Executive Producer, Jo Andres earned her MFA in Film at Ohio University in 1984.

Q&A with the filmmaker after the show.

This screening is sponsored by Shagbark Seed & Mill. Admission is $5.

About the filmmaker:

Bonnie Hawthorne is the director, cinematographer, editor, writer and narrator of Dreaming of a Vetter World. While a film student at NYU in the 1980s, her documentary teacher said there would come a day when one woman could go AWOL from her day job cutting television shows, take off in a tiny camper and make a film with cameras small enough to fit in a purse. That day finally arrived. This film—her first—is the result. Her neighbors back in those NYU days were Jo Andres and Steve Buscemi. They are Executive Producers on this film, along with Bobby Houston, who gave Bonnie her first feature film job.

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77 MIN