The Round Barns of Vernon County: A New Chapter

For the past decade, The Round Barns of Vernon County has had a life of its own, finding its way into classrooms, libraries, and community spaces. When we set out to distribute the film, we wanted to ensure it had a meaningful impact—not just as a documentary but as a resource for teaching, learning, and artistic exploration.

That’s why we focused on offering public performance licenses to institutions, allowing educators, researchers, and outreach programs to incorporate the film into their work. At the same time, we made sure individuals had an affordable way to watch. We’re proud of how far the film has traveled—landing in campus collections, sparking discussions, and even reaching audiences through free community screenings.

Staying True to the Spirit of the Film

From the beginning, we embraced a DIY approach to distribution, believing that independent filmmakers should have a say in how their work is shared. We also believed that public performance rights should hold value—not just to support this film but to stand in solidarity with other creatives balancing art and commerce. That belief hasn’t changed.

But the way people access media has.

Making the Film Freely Available

Moving forward, we’re making The Round Barns of Vernon County freely available on YouTube. While we recognize that an ad-free experience would be ideal, what matters most is that the story remains intact, ready to be discovered by anyone interested in it.

This shift allows the film to reach more people—historians, students, rural preservation advocates, and anyone who simply loves a good story about a unique piece of Wisconsin’s past.

Public Performance Licenses Still Available

For institutions interested in screening the film as part of a course, conference, or public program, we’re still offering public performance licenses. If you’re considering using the film in an educational or institutional setting, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Round Barns of Vernon County over the years. We hope this next phase helps the film find an even wider audience, keeping the story alive for years to come.

How did the Pinney-Mini screening go?

The screening was filled to capacity. The audience was warm and energetic and had thoughtful questions. The event was well managed and my interactions with staff were pleasant. I'm grateful to friends and collaborators who attended. I'm told I did well with my Q&A. So, it went great, really great! Special thanks to @aboett for taking most of pictures below.

David & Jamie talking about dye sublimation after the show

David & Jamie talking about dye sublimation after the show


3rd annual Pinney Mini Film Fest on Friday, March 27

@madisonlibrary has put together a great series of events previewing the '15 WFF. I'll be at the 3/27 event reprising The Round Barns of Vernon County from last year's WFF. I'll do a Q&A along with two other filmmakers. Thanks to librarian Jaime Vache for the invitation to me and co-director Shahin Izadi. Shahin can't be at the event, but will cheer me on from Philadelphia.

"The fun continues at the 3rd annual Pinney Mini Film Fest on Friday, March 27 from 6-8 pm.  Enjoy screenings of three films that played at the 2014 WFF and enjoy Q&A sessions with the film Directors themselves!"

Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 6-8pm

Madison Public Library, Pinney Branch
204 Cottage Grove Rd.
Madison, WI 53716

http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/new/wisconsin-film-festival-sneak-peeks

 

Viroqua Screening on April 27th at 2:00pm

The Round Barns of Vernon County, fresh from its premiere at the Wisconsin Film Festival, will show at the Temple Theater in downtown Viroqua on Sunday, April 27th at 2:00 p.m. The film and program are expected to run approximately one hour; both are free and open to the public and suitable for all audiences. An informal reception will follow at Main Street Station.

Viroqua native David Macasaet directed and edited the documentary with co-director and cinematographer, Shahin Izadi. “We wanted to convey the beauty of the area and share the stories connected to the round barns,” said Macasaet. “We hope the film gives people a chance to experience the round barns if they can’t see them in person.” Mr. Macasaet will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the making of the film immediately following the screening.

Director's Cut featuring Wisconsin's Own Films

The Round Barns of Vernon County is one of five films discussed on the next Wisconsin Public Television program "Director's Cut". The program highlights films with Wisconsin ties as a preview of the upcoming Wisconsin Film Festival.

The program will air statewide on Tuesday, April 1st at 7:00 p.m. on WPT's "Flagship" channel.

For more information visit: Director's Cut

dmacasaet's photo on Instagram