The Week in Social rounds up the best of Iowa’s uplifting stories, exciting initiatives and fun events from all 99 counties discovered through social media. In a time where every bit of good news is cherished, this series is devoted to being a fun, lighthearted way to stay informed about Iowa’s good news.
Iowa Short Film Wins Student Academy Award
And the Student #AcademyAward goes to..."Frozen Out" from Iowa City! Congratulations to @uiowa student Hao Zhou and local producer Tyler Hill on their big win for "Frozen Out." https://t.co/6gp0NYZkda #IowaFilm @IowaCulture pic.twitter.com/vLsT77Rxo6
— Produce Iowa (@ProduceIOWA) October 21, 2021
Two Iowa City filmmakers won a Student Academy Award and a $5,000 grant during the 48th annual ceremony of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Their film, Frozen Out, reflects on an immigrant’s mental health journey and features the landscapes of Johnson County, Iowa, and southern China. The filmmakers Hao Zhou, a graduate student at the University of Iowa, and Tyler Hill, an Iowa City filmmaker, have collaborated on several films and have been awarded grants to continue their feature films.
“This is probably the most prestigious competitive prize for student-made films in the world,” Zhou said. “It’s the first Student Academy Award win from the University of Iowa, and it’s an honor to win this award representing the state of Iowa!”
Cedar Rapids to Host 2022 Men’s and Women’s Curling Championship
The 2022 #USACurling Men's and Women's National Championships will be hosted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!
— USA Curling (@usacurl) October 18, 2021
On Jan. 2-9, the nation's top men's and women's curling teams will compete at @ImOnIceCR for the 2022 National Title!
READ ?? https://t.co/qR3r939O5K pic.twitter.com/sl7N1d2B8t
Are you an Olympic enthusiast? Get a sneak peek at this year’s USA Curling team during the 2022 Men’s and Women’s Curling Championship which will be hosted in Cedar Rapids. This will be the first time the nation’s top curlers will compete for the national title in Iowa. The event will bring 200 athletes, coaches and officials to the ImOn Ice arena during Jan. 2-9. The winners of the National Curling Championships will advance to represent the United States at the 2022 World Championships.
“We are thrilled to host this event in Iowa,” says Phil Burian, president of Cedar Rapids Curling. “It will be a great way to help curling grow in the Eastern Iowa corridor as well as build excitement for the sport in the weeks leading up to the Beijing Olympics. We look forward to seeing the competitors, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans at ImOn Ice Arena.”
Des Moines to Host the Full-Distance 2022 IRONMAN Triathlon
Big news! Des Moines has been announced as the host of the full-distance 2022 @IRONMANtri North American Championship!
— Catch Des Moines (@catchdesmoines) October 20, 2021
Mark your calendars for June 12, 2022, with general registration opening on Monday, November 1. Find the full details below!https://t.co/ObR3GSgJ3u
Some of the most ambitious, talented and resilient athletes will gather in Des Moines to compete in an intense long-distance triathlon race. Iowa will become the newest host of a full-distance IRONMAN triathlon with the 2022 IRONMAN North American Championship. Des Moines was carefully selected due to its ability to host as a high-profile city without the inflated costs. The city also offers plenty of amenities and activities with its impressive selection of biking trails, parks and lakes.
“There isn’t a better venue to host this race than Des Moines, and we know that having this city as the host for the 2022 IRONMAN North American Championship will showcase this region of the country. We look forward to building the foundation for a long-lasting legacy of IRONMAN events in Des Moines,” said Keats McGonigal, vice president of operations, North America, for the IRONMAN Group.
Renovated Opera House in Brooklyn Opens
The Opera House in Brooklyn was a community landmark in need of repair. Today, they officially cut ribbon for the grand opening of the newly renovated space. Congratulations on this impressive facility! @BusinessIOWA pic.twitter.com/RQvR6NuhbH
— Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg (@IALtGov) October 22, 2021
The historic Brooklyn Opera House reopened following an extensive, 13-month renovation. The renovations were made possible due to concerned citizens in Brooklyn who worried about termite damage. The renovation has involved new seating, heating and cooling systems, movie projection equipment and additional amenities. The community wished to preserve the history of the building while ensuring that the opera house would function as a safe entertainment venue.
“If you come to downtown Brooklyn right now, it’s a very, very nice, well-kept small town,” said Laura Manatt, vice president of the Brooklyn Community Development board. “There were only a couple buildings left that really needed a face-lift, and the opera house was probably the most visible one. But it really has been a catalyst for our little restaurant across the street and our bar down the street.”
