About The Films
50 States 0:12:45 PG Pro-Am Short Form Caity Birmingham Chicago, IL
The story of 12-year-old Jane and her father Charlie, who must get to know each other better as they travel together on a road trip across the Midwest. Jane dreams of visiting all fifty states, but instead finds herself traveling the familiar confines of the Midwest with a father she hardly knows. As their trip draws to an end, Jane realizes she must find her own road to happiness, because growing up, there is no map.
Writer/Director Caity Birmingham was born in Cedar Rapids and raised on a farm in Marion, IA. She attended high school in Ames, IA. Much of her family still lives in the Cedar Rapids area. This film was made in Illinois, but tells the story of two characters on a Midwestern road trip, which of course includes Iowa. Caity also recently brought a crew of 20 from Chicago to shoot a short film on her grandparents' farm in Marion. The new film is currently in post-production and Caity plans to submit it to next year's festival.
A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story 1:30:02 NR Professional Documentary Lane Wyrick Iowa City,IA
The inspiring true story of Bill Sackter’s emergence from lifelong institutionalization, to becoming an international hero for people with disabilities. Bill Sackter’s life struggles were portrayed in the highly successful made-for-TV movie “Bill” (1981) starring Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid. Now get to know the real Bill Sackter, a national hero who forever changed the way society looks at people with disabilities, in Lane Wyrick’s inspiring real-life documentary about hope, compassion, and the power of friendship.
Bill Sackter is a true hero for the disability community and his story takes place mainly in Iowa City in the 70s and 80s - especially at Wild Bill’'s Coffee Shop. Lane Wyrick creates productions in his hometown of Iowa City through his company Xap Interactive.
A License to Write: The Iowa Workshop Experience 0:18:05 PG-13 Pro-Am Documentary Jennifer Proctor and Jennifer New Grand Rapids, MI
An energetic documentary that offers an insider’s look at the writing workshops at the University of Iowa through reflective, funny, and touching interviews with former and current students. The film surveys the hardships, the passion, the self-doubt, and the triumphs that come along with devoting a life to the written word. Produced for the exhibit “A Community of Writers: Creative Writing at the University of Iowa” at the Old Capitol Museum on the University of Iowa campus.
Film was produced by an Iowa resident and part-time Iowa resident, and is about a unique Iowa institution - the writing programs at the University of Iowa.
African Soul, American Heart 0:21:00 NR Pro-Am Documentary Kevin Brooks and Joseph Akol Makeer Fargo, ND
Twenty years after fleeing civil war, a Lost Boy of Sudan returns, determined to help today's orphans. African Soul, American Heart tells how one Fargo, North Dakota resident, a Sudanese Lost Boy who survived against all odds to thrive in his adopted country, now finds himself torn between responsibilities. He has been caring for younger siblings since 1998; he has a wife and they have three children born in America. Yet he dreams of helping the orphaned children who still live in his village in South Sudan. The film follows Joseph Akol Makeer as he makes his first trip back to Sudan in 20 years; he retraces some of his journey, and meets with village leaders, county leaders, and children, who tell him what needs to be done to help rebuild his community and country.
Kevin Brooks (producer, writer) earned his PhD in English at Iowa State University, 1993-1997. He is married to an Iowan, his in-laws live in Iowa, so he still regularly visits the state.
Car Chase 0:02:07 PG-13 Student Short Form Lucas Baty Des Moines, IA
A battle between two groups of G.I. Joe Toys For unknown reasons, the green car is chasing the tan car. They eventually crash and have to finish their battle. Only one group can survive.
Director from Iowa and made the movie in Iowa.
Contrails 0:05:13 NR Student Short Form Andy Richards and Jamie Niebuhr Iowa City, IA
A young man attempts to fulfill his dreams of flight.
The movie was produced in Iowa City as part of the cinema program at the University of Iowa. Its producers are originally from Ames and Iowa City.
Disrepair 0:10:35 G Pro-Am Freestyle Jeff Curtis Omaha, NE
Disrepair looks at what happens when everything goes wrong When malfunction becomes the only way to function, everyday takes become elaborate.
Jeff Curtis is a graduate of the University of Iowa.
Drop Gun 0:14:01 R Professional Short Form Iowa Digital Filmmakers Guild and Mississippi Films, Inc Cedar Rapids, IA
A detective's pursuit of a pedophile may lead her to take justice into her own hands.
This film was shot in Burlington by an all-volunteer crew of Iowa Digital Filmmakers Guild members. Drop Gun is the first in a series of short films developed by the organization. It was co-produced by the IDFG and Mississippi Films, Inc., creators of 2008 Gold Eddy Winner, "Beneath the Mississippi."
Escape 0:03:17 G Student Freestyle Jenny Stolte Hiawatha, IA
A young girl awakens to find a door to another world. On a cold winter night a young girl falls asleep and is woken up by a mysterious light. When she gets up she finds an entryway into another world. Writer/producer/director born in Hiawatha, Iowa.
Frautschi 0:49:00 NR Pro-Am Documentary Oleg Timofeyev and Sabine Gölz Iowa City, IA
A documentary on the life and work of the legendary Muscovite guitar teacher Kamil Frautschi (1921-1997). FRAUTSCHI is an intimate portrait of one of the most influential (and least known) guitar pedagogues in Russia: Kamill Frautschi (1921-1997). A violinist himself, Kamill taught his son Alexander Frautschi (1954-2008) to play guitar. Alexander became the first guitarist from the Soviet Union to achieve international fame. The Frautschis were Swiss émigrés in Russia. Kamill's father Arthur Frautschi ('Artuzov'), a top-ranking officer of the NKVD (later: KGB), fell victim to Stalinist purges in 1937. As a result, Kamill spent his youth in the Gulag. Through interviews with students, family documents, home videos, and an audio tape he recorded late in his life, this documentary brings Frautschi's ideas on music teaching and performance to any audience interested in music and art.
The two directors of FRAUTSCHI -- Sabine Gölz and Oleg Timofeyev -- have lived in Iowa since 1987 and 1989. The film has been edited entirely in Iowa City, partially at the Obermann Center of the U of Iowa. In addition, our crew includes three UI students: Ottumwa-born Chris Renaud (MFA candidate), and cinema majors Liam Dale (graduated in 2008), and Casey Swoyer (graduated in 2008).
Gustav's Brush 0:16:44 PG-13 Professional Short Form Tom Katsis Valley Glen, CA
A tortured artist finds a gift of friendship from a young boy.
The filmmaker is a Sioux City, Iowa native and have been in L.A. since '94 building an acting career.
I'm Your Man 0:05:32 NR Pro-Am Short Form Bradley Fritz and Seth Walters Cedar Rapids, IA
A dance video exploring the relationship between two young men. This dance video is first and foremost about love from initial attraction, to the development of a relationship, and even obstacles encountered along the way. Being a unique dance video in that it features two men as partners, the choreography was designed to step away from the traditional leader-follower type of partner dancing to a more equalized, masculine form. The choreography, along with the original video sequences included in the film, depict how love can transcend everything, including gender.
All members of the cast and crew are from the Cedar Rapids area.
Little Bizzy 0:05:06 PG Student Short Form Brandon DeWyn and Kori Francis Grand Rapids, MI
Two television hosts are in for a surprise. Two hosts of a QVC-style show have started dating, but when their bossy director and nosy crew get involved, they find out more than they bargained for.
The producer is from Cedar Rapids, IA.
Luella's License 0:04:54 NR Student Documentary James Niebuhr Iowa City, IA
When she was only 13 years old Luella Schlue started driving her father's model T Ford. Now, 85 years later, she hopes to keep her license and her independence.
Luella's License was produced for the non-fiction video class at the University of Iowa. Luella and the producers are all from Iowa.
Morgan's Last Call 0:23:27 PG Pro-Am Short Form Frank Mearle and Collateral Damage Productions Chicago, IL
George leaves all his decision making to his lucky coin. George hates making decisions. So he lets a flip of his lucky coin make decisions for him. But when he meets the girl of his dreams and his lucky coin advises him against asking her out, he is faced with the prospect of going against his coin to find love. Will he learn that he doesn't need a coin toss to follow his heart, or was his silver talisman right all along?
Produced as a collaboration between Frank Mearle films and collateral damage productions. CDP was founded by Jenny Stolte, a Cedar Rapids native and the Director of Photography of "Morgan's Last Call" Matt Olson, the other half of CDP and a producer on this film went to the University of Iowa.
Open Up! 0:18:17 PG-13 Pro-Am Short Form L. Stephen Phelan and Travis Richey Gurne, IL
Will you have the courage when love comes knocking? After a romantic night quickly turned sour, Janie has returned home to spend another night sad and alone. Her quiet evening is rudely interrupted by Will whom she walked out on. Can Will convince Janie to give him a second chance, or will this evening's broken date prove to be the last chance to mend Janie's cynical heart? "Open Up" is a short romance created by Cedar Rapids Native L. Stephen Phelan
Director: Born and Raised in CR. Concept conceived at the U of Iowa. Cast member tenant prior resident of CR.
Sister Patchouli 1:51:34 PG Professional Feature Scott Thompson and Catharine Wadsworth Mondovi, WI
A young woman tries to come to terms with what she feels to be a failed life. Margaret was raised by her parents in Fairfield, Iowa, to be a blessing to the world. Her mother wanted her to grow up to be a nun. Her father wanted her to grow up to be a peace activist or live in a commune, give something back. So she was given the nickname Sister Patchouli. But now at almost 30, she still works as an ordinary clerk in an ordinary little store in town, believing that her life has been a failure. But there is nothing ordinary about Sister Patchouli.
This was film was made entirely in Fairfield, Iowa using only Fairfield and Iowa residents as actors, crew, and musicians. Fairfield is also not only the setting for the film, but is itself in some ways a character in the movie too.
Stray Dog 0:23:54 R Pro-Am Short Form John-Michael Rohrtet and Cordelaine Kline Iowa City, IA
A Boy & Girl in trouble. All Crew & Cast Are from Iowa.
Take-Out 0:06:34 NR Student Short Form Joe Clarke Iowa City, IA
A young Vietnamese man yearns to leave the family restaurant business, but it takes an unexpected food delivery that leaves him running for his life. Jamie is a Vietnamese college student struggling with balancing his school work and working for his Uncle's restaurant as a delivery boy. He longs to sometime get out of the family business. However, on a typical delivery to a nearby apartment complex, Jamie unintentionally walks in on a high profile drug deal. He is forced to run for his life from the most dangerous crime lord in the city.
The filmmaker lived, was educated, and filmed in Iowa
The Last Lullaby 1:33:10 R Professional Feature Jeffrey Goodman and Max Allan Collins Muscatine, IA
Retired hit man Price (Tom Sizemore) is lured out of retirement by the promise of big money only to fall in love with his unlikely target -- a small-town librarian. Price, a former hit man, unhappy in retirement, opts back into the game. But this new assignment ends up challenging his every notion. Two damaged souls form a special bond as each tries to the mends the wounds of their past, as a hit man falls in love with the young woman he's been hired to kill.
Max Allan Collins -- the co-writer of the screenplay and the author of the source short story -- is a native Iowan and longtime indie filmmaker out of Muscatine. He and director Jeffrey Goodman previously collaborated on the 2003 CRI fest award-winning Best Short, "A Matter of Principal," from which this feature was expanded.
The Lost Nomads 0:58:13 Rating Professional Short Form Ty Clancy Hometown
Synopsis
The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands 0:18:28 NR Student Short Form Ian Klink Aurora, IL
When Henry Brower emerges from months of solitude, he did so under the purest of motives... When Henry Brower emerges from months of solitude, he did so under the purest of motives. But the living dead of his past would not allow him to enjoy a simple card game.
Ian Klink (director) was born and raised in Iowa. Ian has lived in Comanche, Humbolt, Wellman, Sioux City, Eldridge, Bettnedorf and Montezuma. Ian Graduated from North Scott High School in Eldidge, IA (class of 2003).
The River 0:03:06 G Pro-Am Freestyle Kevin J. Railsback Fairfax, IA
Because we've been poor stewards of the Earth, the river is dying. Since the dawn of mankind, the river has played an important roll. It's fed us, transported us and calmed us.
Filmed in Iowa by an Iowa Filmmaker
The Thacker Case 1:34:45 NR Professional Feature Stuart Pepper and Nancy Pepper Cape Coral, FL
When a local Iowa youth dies in police custody under highly suspicious circumstances, attorney Stu Pepper is hired by the boy's family to sue the local authorities for wrongful death, but it's an uphill battle against an entrenched and corrupt small town status quo. In 1983, in small town Iowa, personal injury attorney Stuart Pepper faces the challenge of his young career, when he takes on a controversial case of wrongful death. Kevin Thacker's body was found in the alley outside the Marshalltown Police Department, after the young man was arrested for drunk driving. The arresting officer's story is highly suspicious and everyone involved, from the investigating detective to the FBI, appear to be aiding in covering up what actually happened that fateful night. With a promise made to the Thacker family to expose the truth, Stu dives head first into an uphill battle against lies and corruption. What transpires will change this lawyer's life forever.
The story completely takes place in Iowa.
The Vigilant One 0:07:18 PG Student Short Form Adam Orton, John Allen, and Robin Cline Chicago, IL
Joshua - a God-like protector assigned to watch over a lonely woman- one day decides to give up his immortality in exchange for her companionship The Vigilant One is a "Greek-esque" vignette about Joshua-an invisible God-like figure assigned to protect a girl named Marie from an evil force simply called the Dark Ones. After watching her for many years without the threat of danger, Joshua decides to ask his superior permission to become human. He soon learns that this is what the Dark Ones have been waiting for...
This film was filmed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Davenport with a cast and crew of Iowa natives.
This American Gothic 1:03:14 G Pro-Am Documentary Sasha Waters Freyer Iowa City, IA
A picture about a very famous picture and the tiny Iowa town that inspired it. "This American Gothic" weaves together a cultural history of America’s most famous painting with a quirky portrait of Eldon, Iowa, population 998, and home to the house that inspired it. The film follows four local women over two years as they work towards their dream of building a Gothic House Visitor Center to revive their fading small town. This American Gothic explores the poignant irony of a rural America abandoned to economic hardship trying to rebuild itself through tourism that glorifies a happier, if largely imaginary, country past.
All about Iowa and made here.
Use Only As Needed 0:06:03 PG-13 Student Short Form Nicolaas Bertelsen Los Angeles, CA
If sound meant pain, how far would you go to stop the noise?
Writer David D. DeBord is an Iowa resident.
Winky 0:14:00 PG Student Short Form Josh Porro and Will Prescott Los Angeles, CA
Based on the George Saunders short story of the same name, Winky follows Neil Yaniky as he tries to kick his sister out of the house. Neil Yankiy needs a change. He consults a self-help guru who gives him a prep talk, repeats a mantra and sends him on his way to tell his live-in sister Winky, "Out you go." This film is based on George Saunders short stories.
The writer/director Josh Porro lived in Gladbrook, IA during 2003-2004 and was managing editor of the local paper the Northern Sun Print.
Wormtooth Nation 1:25:47 PG Student Long form Geoff Boothby and Cullen Thomas Fairfield , IA
A steampunk web series-turned-feature film, Wormtooth Nation is the story of people trapped in an underground city and trying to find the surface, but continually loosing their memories.
Made entirely in Iowa by students who grew up here.
Zombie Blues 0:06:56 R Pro-Am Short Form Carlos De Leon Sioux Fall, SD
A boy band is trapped in a restroom after zombie's attack.
Director Carlos de Leon was born and lived in the metro area of Sioux City, Iowa
Also the trailer of these films can be seen here. |
