ABOUT THE FILMS - 2012
Air Horn
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:03:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written and directed by Mike Saunders.
Produced by Prescribed Films - prescribedfilms.com
CAST:
Samantha Saunders
SYNOPSIS:
A satire of films from the silent era about a girl who can’t get her air horn to work.
IOWA CONNECTION:
The film was shot in Ottumwa, Iowa.
All Bets Are Off
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:09:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Directed by Matt Heilig
Written by Matt Heilig, Joe Zerull & Rick Davis
CAST:
Abby Van Gerpen as The Wife
Rick Davis as The Husband
Jessica Denney as Kelly McBride
Daniel Rairdin-Hale as Steve
SYNOPSIS:
An inconsiderate husband throws an impromptu poker party birthday bash for his best friend Steve, who just broke up with his girlfriend. But when the drunken partygoers and a surprise guest arrive, an unsuspecting wife is caught trying to play good host and defend her home against certain destruction. When the chips are down and the decks are stacked, all bets are off!
IOWA CONNECTION:
Director Matt Heilig was born in Davenport, where the film was shot. He was raised in DeWitt, where he attended DeWitt Central Community High School. He currently lives in Long Grove.
Arggh! A Pirate Story
Pro-Am FeatureRUN TIME: 1:41:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A Papaya Productions film
Written, Directed and Produced by Tyler James Ask
Produced by Joey Loboda and Landon Sheetz
CAST:
Joey Loboda as George Washington
Landon Sheetz as Ted Wilson
SYNOPSIS:
George Washington the Pirate and his lifelong best friend Ted Wilson set off to start a rock band. With their landlord and musician/magician best friend Peter Shaffer, and all-around-person Wang Smith, they encounter several memorable adventures and misadventures!
IOWA CONNECTION:
Director Tyler Ask and actor-producers Landon Sheetz and Joey Loboda were all born and raised in Cedar Rapids, where the film was shot. They all attended Jefferson High School.
Before Your Eyes
Student ShortRUN TIME: 0:05:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written and directed by Sarah Challender
Produced by Lenna Chisala
CAST:
Serena Fath as orphan daughter
SYNOPSIS:
A young girl decides to kill herself after the murder of her parents, but before she jumps, her life flashes before her eyes and she sees everything she is leaving behind.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Everyone involved was raised in Iowa and most were born here.
Cancer of Mind
Student FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:06:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written, Directed, Produced and with music composed by Samuel Schroeder.
SYNOPSIS:
Cancer of Mind is an experimental music video for an original song written by Samuel Schroeder.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Samuel Schroeder was born and raised in Dubuque, where Cancer of Mind was shot and produced.
City of Literature
Professional DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:45:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
A production of The University of Iowa with support from the State Historical Society, Inc., The Iowa Arts Council, Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Directed and Produced by Ben Hill
Written by Ben Hill & Jennifer New
SYNOPSIS:
The legendary Iowa Writers' Workshop is the oldest and most prestigious creative writing program in America...
The International Writing Program has brought the world to Iowa for more than four decades...
Alumni and faculty of the University of Iowa have won more than forty Pulitzer Prizes...
In 2008, UNESCO designated Iowa City the world's third City of Literature...
How did Iowa become a literary crucible?
Collapse
Professional FeatureRUN TIME: 1:32:00
RATING: R
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2009
CREDITS:
A StoryBench Film
moviecollapse.com
Directed by Jason Bolinger & Insane Mike Saunders
Written by Insane Mike Saunders
Produced by Bruce Elgin
Production Design by Christine Youngstrom
Director of Photography: Jenny Stolte
Special Effects by Ken Gorrell
Special Effects Make-up by Toby Sells
CAST:
Chris Mulkey as Robert Morgan
Karen Landry as Molly Morgan
Linnea Quigley as Mrs. Bell
SYNOPSIS:
When the world is suddenly filled with the undead, Robert Morgan's (Chris Mulkey) worries are pulled away from how to keep the family farm to how to keep his family alive. With his wife Molly (Karen Landry) near the breaking point and his son bitten by one of the creatures, Robert must defend their home from the invaders. But as supplies run low and he is forced to venture out for food, Robert encounters more danger and must become even more brutal in his attempts to provide for his family. When other survivors appear, will they be able to help him, or will they turn out to be the greatest threat of all to his family?
With outstanding performances by the cast and makeup and effects from an award winning team, Collapse offers a new twist on the zombie film.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Co-Director Jason Bolinger was born in Sigourney and lives in Fairfield. Co-Director Insane Mike Saunders lives in Ottumwa.
Die Die
Pro-Am FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:03:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Directed by Carl Thordarson.
Written by Carl Thordarson and Evan Runkle.
Produced by Evan Runkle.
SYNOPSIS:
This short film is the result of an IDFG Film Challenge. The filmmakers were given a prop to be used in the film. Conflict starts at the beginning, which is maintained almost through the entirety of the film.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Carl Thordarson is from Stormlake, Iowa, and Evan Runkle is from Ottumwa, Iowa.
The Diet Situation
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:05:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Directed by Steve Coulter
Written and Produced by Amy Vorpahl
CAST:
Amy Vorpahl as Amy
Andie Bolt as Andie
SYNOPSIS:
Two girls decide to go on a diet, but one of them has second thoughts...
IOWA CONNECTION:
Director Steve Coulter graduated from the University of Iowa in 2007, earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Dreaming Up the Past: Early Music in Ukraine
Pro-Am DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:57:00 (Ukrainian with English subtitles)
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A production of ArbatFilms
arbatfilm.com/filmmriipromynule
Directed and Produced by Oleg Timofeyev & Sabine I. Gölz
CAST:
Tetiana Polt-Lutsenko
Danylo Pertsov
Taras Kompanichenko
Oleg Timofeyev
Nina Gerasimova-Persidskaia
Svetlana Shabaltina
and others
SYNOPSIS:
Dreaming Up the Past explores the state of the Ukrainian early music movement and its connections to folk music and the country's national revival. It offers a lot of good and unusual music, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the musicians.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Director-Producers Oleg Timofeyev and Sabine Gölz have both lived in Iowa City since the late 1980s. Sound Designer Christopher Renaud was born and raised in Ottumwa. He is currently completing his MFA in Film and Video Production at The University of Iowa.
Fire in the Sky
Pro-Am FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:04:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A film by Kevin J. Railsback
A production of Silver Phoenix, LLC.
SYNOPSIS:
Every Fourth of July we ooh and ahh when it comes time for the firework display. Filmed at 60 frames per second, fireworks become a magical dance of fire in the sky.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Filmmaker Kevin J. Railsback has lived in various cities throughout Iowa since 1976. He currently lives in Fairfax, where Fire in the Sky was shot and produced.
Freedom of Expression: Obscenity
Student DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:06:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
Written, directed, produced, and narrated by Wesley Belknap.
SYNOPSIS:
This documentary explores the question of whether or not obscenity should be allowed as freedom of expression under the United States Constitution. It informs the audience based on examples of obscene speech that has been documented in America, as well as their judicial outcomes. The film wraps up with an opinionated conclusion based on the examples shown.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Wesley Belknap was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. He currently lives in Urbandale, Iowa.
A Kidnapping at Castelle Manor
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:16:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A production of Valentine Road, LLC - www.valentineroad.com
Written and Directed by Paul D. Benedict
Produced by Scott Siepker & Brendan Dunphy
Associate Producer: Matt Clark
CAST:
Megan Hensley as Cora
Jeff White as Raymond
Ken-Matt Martin as Charlie
Shannon Beh as Grace
SYNOPSIS:
In 1930, opportunities abound for the aspiring criminal. But beginner beware: some places are better left along.
A tense and tight period short film that takes place during the murky intersection of Prohibition and the start of the Great Depression.
Four aspiring criminals attempt a heist at the sprawling Castelle Manor. Each has a different reason for taking part in the scheme, but they soon find themselves with the same reason for wanting to get out... and get out as quickly as possible.
This short was filmed by a volunteer cast and crew at Des Moines' historical Salisbury House. It is the prologue to "Valentine Road," a feature-length serial set in this rich period, following individual stories of both the innocent and the sinister.
IOWA CONNECTION:
From the producers: "Iowa is at the heart of this project. Iowa's unique Prohibition history is well documented but not well known. Our team's hope is to expand Valentine Road into a longer series which explores this fascinating history."
This short was filmed by a volunteer cast and crew of Iowa residents at Des Moines's historic Salisbury House.
Knights of Iron
Pro-Am DocumentaryRUN TIME: 1:18:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written and Directed by Eric Smidt
Executive Produced by Bill Dean
CAST:
Guthrey Fritz
Brent Hutchings
SYNOPSIS:
Knights of Iron profiles Woodward Academy in Woodward, Iowa--a residential facility of approximately 240 delinquent young people--as the staff and students work to establish a powerlifting program.
The film chronicles the 2011 season as the lifters prepare for the USA Powerlifting High School National Championships, held in Corpus Christi, Texas. The team participates in grueling practices and, in the process, breaks down the stereotypes concerning delinquent youth.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Eric Smidt lives in Ames. Executive Producer Bill Dean lives in Madrid. The film was principally shot in Des Moines and Woodward.
Lee's Ghost
Professional ShortRUN TIME: 0:04:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
A production of Off Speed Cinema
Written and Directed by Channing Whitaker
Produced by Kristy Whitaker
CAST:
Jesse Koch as Leon Winterset
Amber Koch as Carrol Winterset
Channing Whitaker as General Lee
Brad Douglas as Voice of Lee
SYNOPSIS:
Lee's Ghost is a comedy sketch depicting the ghost of General Robert E. Lee and the only living soul that can see or hear him.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Channing Whitaker was born and raised in Centerville. He attended college at the University of Iowa and spent some of a few years after graduation working in production for KGAN here in Cedar Rapids.
A collection of Whitaker's short films was an Official Selection of the 2008 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. He currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Magnificent Von Doogles
Student ShortRUN TIME: 0:08:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Directed and Produced by Christopher Peck
Written by Christopher Peck & Beck DeRobertis
CAST:
Beck DeRobertis as Wesley Von Doogle
Greg Hernandez as Tucker Von Doogle
Trevor Rychly as Winston Von Doogle
SYNOPSIS:
After uncovering the family secret, Wesley Von Doogle decides to follow in his father's footsteps. His older brother Tucker tries everything to make sure he does not succeed.
Conceived as an homage to the films of Wes Anderson, Director Christopher Peck made The Magnificent Von Doogles as an assignment for a 16mm class at The Minneapolis College of Art & Design.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Christopher Peck was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. Most of the props and materials for the film were donated by ReStore: Habitat for Humanity in Cedar Rapids.
Man of Deeds
Professional DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:52:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
An LC Productions Film
www.manofdeeds.com
Directed by Craig Schaefer
Written by Paul Kohl, Ted Rosean & Craig Schaefer
Produced by Ted Rosean & Craig Schaefer
CAST:
Paul Kohl as Bishop Mathias Loras
Michael Lawrence as Pelamourges
SYNOPSIS:
Born in Lyon, France into the chaos of the French Revolution, Mathias Loras would lead an extraordinary life. A highly educated and deeply spiritual man, his spiritual call would eventually lead him to the American South in 1829 while speaking almost no English. Ten years later he would become a missionary bishop in the vast Iowa Territory, serving the needs of the growing flood of immigrant farmers and miners, as well as multiple tribes of Native Americans.
Set against the harshness of pioneer life, Loras survived primarily on sheer determination at the frontier edge of US civilization. In doing so, he would carve out the early foundations of the Catholic Church in the Upper Mississippi Valley, leaving a legacy that carries through to this day.
IOWA CONNECTION
Director Craig Schaefer is a professor at Loras College in Dubuque. Both he and Producer Ted Rosean are employed as producers at LC Productions, a production company located on the Loras campus. They both live in Dubuque.
Manasseh
Student DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:09:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written, Directed, Produced and Edited by Lauren DeWitt and Jacob Spiekermeier
The filmmakers wish to thank Michelle Mihalakis and Sister Pat Conlan, RSM.
SYNOPSIS
Manasseh shows an in-depth look at a women's shelter in Dubuque, IA, and how four lives were changed by one dream.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Filmmakers Lauren DeWitt and Jacob Spiekermeier both live in Iowa. DeWitt lives in Dubuque, where she attends Loras College. Spiekermeier lives in Cedar Rapids, where he attends Kirkwood Community College.
The Misadventures of a Satanic Cult 2
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:08:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
A Prescribed Films Production - www.prescribedfilms.com
Written and Directed by Insane Mike Saunders & Jason Bolinger
CAST:
Jeff Lunsford as Cult Leader
Steven Tracy as Cult Member #1
SYNOPSIS:
These are the misadventures of a satanic cult. In part 2, they attempt to sacrifice a puppy.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Co-Writer-Director Insane Mike Saunders lives in Ottumwa. The film was shot and produced throughout the state by an all-Iowa cast and crew.
The Misadventures of a Satanic Cult 3
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:03:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
A Prescribed Films Production - www.prescribedfilms.com
Written and Directed by Insane Mike Saunders & Jason Bolinger
CAST:
Jeff Lunsford as Cult Leader
Steven Tracy as Cult Member #1
SYNOPSIS:
These are the misadventures of a satanic cult. In part 3, the cult just needs to release some stress.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Co-Writer-Director Insane Mike Saunders lives in Ottumwa. The film was shot and produced throughout the state by an all-Iowa cast and crew.
Occupy
Student DocumentaryRUN TIME: 0:12:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Produced by Dawn Sagert and Scott Mussell
CAST:
Brandon Long
SYNOPSIS:
Activist Brandon Long struggles with becoming the leader of a leaderless movement. Occupy follows a local extension of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Filmmakers Dawn Sagert and Scott Mussell both live in Cedar Falls, where they co-own wedding photography and video company Images Allure.
Piano Man: V the Noble One ft. Michael Milner
Professional FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:06:00
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2010
CREDITS:
A production of Midwest Motion Pictures
Directed, Edited, Photographed and Produced by Carlos de Leòn
Written by Carlos de Leòn and V the Noble One
CAST:
V the Noble One (Elnora Duncan & Leonard Wolfe) and Michael Milner
SYNOPSIS:
Everyone has had a to deal with the loss of a loved one or friend. The song and music video shows us to let go and continue on with our futures while remembering those who have left this earth.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Filmmaker Carlos de Leòn was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa and worked at local television stations KCAU and KMEG. Piano Man was primarily shot in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Red Stroke
Pro-Am ShortRUN TIME: 0:53:00 (Korean with English subtitles)
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A Joseph Boyle Films Production
Written, Directed and Produced by Joseph Boyle
CAST:
June Young Lee as Hyo Shik
Chan Hyuk Kim as Hwei Jae
Hyo Jung Yoon as Jae Eun
Lowell Sato as Darwin
SYNOPSIS:
A very mathematically-minded man living in modern day Korea is challenged to understand what real justice consists of. Can it be gained simply through proportional acts of personal vengeance, or is there a deeper, more fulfilling answer? Similarly, a military man burdened by guilt must find out how to put to rest his past and find peace with his burdened conscience.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Joseph Boyle was born and raised in Davenport. He currently lives in Kimhae, South Korea with his wife, Abigail, an associate producer on the film.
Sick of Larry
Professional FeatureRUN TIME: 1:31:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A production of My Town Pictures
Written and Directed by Scott Thompson
www.sickoflarry.com
CAST:
Kiera Morrill as Clementine
Jay Villwock as Larry
Kim Grimaldi as Imogene
Andrea Cunningham as Josie
Gretchen Skellenger as McKenzie
Matt Eastvold as William
SYNOPSIS:
Three college students come to believe that their house mother's disturbing new boyfriend Larry is trying to poison her, so the students decide to take matters into their own hands.
But is Larry actually guilty?
IOWA CONNECTION:
The vast majority of the cast and crew from Sick of Larry has either lived, worked or been educated in the state of Iowa. The film was shot on location in Des Moines and Ames.
Sounds Like Murder
Student ShortRUN TIME: 0:07:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Written, directed, and produced by Evan Runkle.
CAST:
Nik Sorak
"Insane" Mike Saunders.
SYNOPSIS:
A down-on-his-luck foley artist must go to desperate lengths for his art.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Everyone involved with the film was born and raised in Iowa.
Suicide Poet
Professional DocumentaryRUN TIME: 1:15:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
Directed by Brad Paulson
Written by Bruce Jay
Produced by Brad Paulson and Bruce Jay
CAST:
Bruce Jay
Paul Fanning
SYNOPSIS:
Lost in the trauma of losing his leg, a man gets drunk on his own thoughts.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Producer Bruce Jay lives in Cedar Rapids. He's a graduate of Washington High School and the University of Iowa.
Take Off One Ear!
Pro-Am FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:22:00 (Ukrainian with English subtitles)
RATING: G
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A production of ArbatFilm
arbatfilm.com/filmtakeoffoneear
Directed by Sabine I. Gölz
Produced by Oleg Timofeyev
CAST:
Sarmatica
Oleg Timofeyev
Danylo Pertsov
Vadim Borysenko
Taras Kompanichenko
Liubov Plavska
Sergii Okhrimchuk
Anzhela Zaitseva
SYNOPSIS:
This is an experimental non-fiction music video based on footage shot during the recording of the inaugural CD of the Ukrainian Early Music ensemble Sarmatica, under the production of Russian-American lutenist Oleg Timofeyev. The CD has since been released under the title The Lviv Lute and has received a significant number of enthusiastic reviews in Germany, England, and the US.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Director Sabine I. Gölz and Producer Oleg Timofeyev have both lived in Iowa City since the late 1980s.
Two Days in February
Pro-Am FeatureRUN TIME: 1:15:00
RATING: PG-13
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
A CNGM Pictures production
twodaysinfeb.com
Written and Directed by Michael P. Noens
Produced by Erica Lynn Schmeck
CAST:
Nick Cardiff as Grant
Courtney Rioux as Dani
SYNOPSIS:
While out at a game night with his close friends, Grant (Nick Cardiff) receives a surprisingly unpleasant phone call from his girlfriend, Val (Katherine Cunningham). This withering long-distance relationship isn't working for her anymore. Not willing to accept the truth, Grant retreats into the recesses of his mind, digging up memories from a love lost long ago.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Line Producer Morgan Gire attended and graduated from The University of Iowa. Two Days in February was shot and produced in Chicago.
The Wedge
Professional FeatureRUN TIME: 1:19:00
RATING: R
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012
CREDITS:
A production of Backrow Studios, LLC
joeclarkecity.com
Written, Directed and Produced by Joe Clarke
Produced by Tim Nash and Cade Remsburg
CAST:
Mike Schminke as Flint Schminke
Isai Rivera Blas as Quan Dao
SYNOPSIS:
A pizza guy gets caught in the middle of a casino heist on the Fourth of July.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Writer-Director Joe Clarke was born and raised in Sioux City and currently lives in Coralville. Executive Producer Tim Nash was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. The Wedge was filmed on location in Sioux City and Iowa City.
War of the Words
Pro-Am FreestyleRUN TIME: 0:01:00
RATING: PG
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2011
CREDITS:
Produced by Beau Batterson.
SYNOPSIS:
War of the Words is a public service announcement concerning the freedom of speech and cyberbullying.
IOWA CONNECTION:
Producer Beau Batterson was born and raised in Oelwein. He currently lives in Waterloo, where he attends the University of Northern Iowa.
