Department of Tourism
For Immediate Release: July 20, 2001
Contact: Richard Papousek, (605) 835-8002

GREGORY CELEBRATES OSCAR MICHEAUX AT ANNUAL FESTIVAL

The sixth annual Oscar Micheaux Film Festival will be held in Gregory, Aug. 8-12. The festival celebrates the life and legacy of one of America’s first black homesteaders and greatest filmmakers, Oscar Micheaux. He homesteaded in Gregory County beginning in 1905.

The Dixon Town Hall in Gregory is transformed into a movie theater, where guests can watch many of Micheaux’s movies, including "Swing," "Within Our Gates," and "Body and Soul." Independent filmmakers from Sioux Falls and Lawrence, Kan., also will show their films Thursday and Friday afternoons.

The event will include presentations by film scholars and historians, discussing Micheaux’s films and the effect they have on contemporary motion pictures. There will be discussions about Micheaux’s South Dakota homestead. Guests can take a step back in time and tour Micheaux’s Gregory homestead.

Other highlights include a sunset supper and Native American dance presentation at Micheaux’s homestead, a teepee and tent raising, a social at the Dixon Town Hall and back-road tours of west Gregory County as traveled by Micheaux.

For a complete schedule of events, call (605) 835-8002 or visit www.travelsd.com and click on "Great Events."

The Oscar Micheaux Film Festival in Gregory has been designated a "Great Event" by the South Dakota Department of Tourism. With that designation, the department provides promotional assistance to event coordinators. The objective of the Department of Tourism’s "Great Events" program is to boost attendance at events and to increase economic impact in host communities.

-30-