Walter Day Returns to MCC for Film Premiere and Celebration
MARSHALLTOWN, IA – Marshalltown Community College is set to bring the “King of Kong” universe back to life on Thursday, November 20th, with an exclusive screening of the documentary, Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day.
The film’s subject, Walter Day, a figure known as the “Father of Esports,” first visited the MCC campus in October 2022. Day, accompanied by a film crew, captivated an audience of hundreds of esports student-athletes. During that visit, Walter announced to the world he was retiring from the competitive gaming world to pursue another lifelong dream—music. Walter then took off his iconic referee’s jersey and passed it on to the next generation at MCC. In the time since that moment, MCC has become a powerhouse esports program with 12 national championships, 22 runners-up, and a legacy that reaches far beyond Marshall County.
The new documentary, Arcades & Love Songs, allows us to journey with Walter as he realizes his vision and rekindles with his past. MCC is inviting everyone to pack the house as we celebrate Walter’s homecoming and the special role that Marshalltown Community College got to play along the way!
“We captured such an important moment in Walter Day’s life at MCC, so we are thrilled to come back and share his documentary with the community and in the same venue featured in the film,” said Oscar winning filmmaker Ed Cunningham.
Event Details and Schedule
The celebration will take place Thursday, November 20th in the Business and Community Solutions portion of the building on the MCC campus. Doors open at 4:00 pm to allow entrance into Dejardin Hall.
The pre-screening fun kicks off in the BCS lobby, which will feature several arcade cabinets for free play and a high-score contest. Attendees can purchase exclusive film merchandise, including a limited print commemorative poster specific to the MCC screening of the film. We will also be hosting exciting giveaways, including signed posters and film merch, and the highly coveted framed, signed jersey that Walter passed along to MCC—a one-of-a-kind collector’s item for any fan of Walter Day.
The film program begins at 6:00 pm in Dejardin Hall, with overflow seating available in the BCS conference rooms. The main feature will be introduced by a 3-minute short film produced by Iowa Valley Student Productions, which uses footage recorded by the Arcades & Love Songs crew and spotlights IVCCD Director Dr. Andrew Goforth.
Immediately following the documentary, a Q&A session will be held featuring Walter Day, MCC Esports Head Coach Nathan Rodemeyer, IVCCD Director Andrew Goforth, and special guest and MCC alumni, Amber Lawthers. The evening will conclude with free play in the Esports PC Arena and Console Lounges, inviting everybody to play games together and share their love and passion for video games.
Tickets are $10 and include admission to the film, popcorn, and access to the entirety of the event, including the arcade cabinets, Q&A, and free play afterwards. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.arcadesandlovesongs.com/merch/p/marshalltown-movie-premiere-thurs-1120.
For questions about the event please contact Nathan Rodemeyer at 641-844-5789 or email Nathan.Rodemeyer@iavalley.edu.