Adventures
in Zombie-Sitting
0:08:33 • PG
Student Short
Beau Batterson
Waterloo
www.myspace.com/ZombieSitting
Things go awry when the world’s worst baby-sitter
ends up sitting for a zombie.
This motion picture was completed, start to finish, in
Iowa with a 100% Iowa cast and crew.
Animate My Heart
0:47:00 • PG
Student Long Form
Joe Boyle
Davenport
www.JoeBoyleFilms.com
A boy gets cancer at a young age. Yet, even in the face
of imminent tragedy, his imagination remains sharp and vibrant.
The same cannot be said for his single mother as she battles
with a figure from her past.
Film was shot almost completely in Iowa with mostly Iowan
actors. Filmmaker was born in, currently resides in and
makes films in Iowa.
The Art of Life
0:12:14 • NR
Student Documentary
Daniel Randolph, Edward Gall
Dubuque
A short documentary about the inspiration behind the work
of Gene Tully, an artist from Dubuque. The film looks at
his inspirations, how he started in his art, and what he
has done for the art community in Dubuque.
The film was shot in Iowa by two students from Iowa who
wanted to do a film on a local community member from Dubuque.
At the Gates of Levant
0:55:00 • NR
Pro-Am Short
Vlad Dima, Matei Dima
Cedar Rapids
(In Romanian with English subtitles)
After he receives a scholarship, Matei contemplates if to
choose Coe College or not considering the fact that his
friends, girlfriend and family are still in Romania.
"I live in Cedar Rapids because I am an International
Student at Coe College. I am the main character and I talk
about coming here, it is a presentation of another culture
combined with true emotional love stories."
Beneath the Mississippi
1:49:52
Pro-Am Feature
Lonnie Schuyler, Tim Anderson
Burlington
http://www.btm-themovie.com
A documentary filmmaker takes her film crew to investigate
missing persons on the Mississippi River. Ellie Thompson’s
film crew deals with the elements, and strange happening
on their trip up river.
The director is from Burlington, the producer is from Eldridge,
the film was shot in Burlington.
Bill's Big Pumpkins
1:27:00 • PG
Pro-Am Documentary
Ryan Foss, Bill Nagel, Christopher Landergan
St. Michael, MN
www.billsbigpumpkins.com
Bill’s Big Pumpkins is a fun, inspiring look at an
offbeat corner of American gardening and the dedicated,
hard-working, and possibly slightly nutty people who inhabit
it. Follow giant pumpkin grower Bill Foss as he attempts
to grow the biggest pumpkin in Minnesota history.
Part of the Documentary was filmed at Pumpkinfest in Anamosa.
We see other growers from Iowa, including Mike Frantz (state
record holder during filming), and Don Young (before his
1600+ monster in 2007). We also see the Iowa record get
broken with a 1200 lb giant at Anamosa. Additionally, we
solicited Nancy Kula, an art teacher at Anamosa High School,
to use her class as a pre-screen audience. We are grateful
to her and her class for their help.
Capture Claus
0:13:18 • PG
Professional Short
Chris McInroy
Austin, TX
www.needfundsfilms.com
Christmas Eve. Location: My House. Mission: Capture Santa
Claus. Why: To save the lives of millions of innocent children
and to get the girl… I mean to prove Santa’s
real to my non-believing jerk older brother and my dad,
Frank.
I grew up in Cedar Rapids, used to eat lunch at Little
Cesar’s in Marion, saw Nirvana in Davenport when I
was 15 and I used to sled down Bowman Woods hill.
Channing Whitaker Shorts
0:08:48 • NR
Pro-Am Short
Channing Whitaker
Iowa City
Three short comedic scenes.
The writer/director was born in and still resides in Iowa.
All three actors are native Iowans and current Iowa residents.
All footage was shot in the Iowa City area.
Dead Lonesome
0:16:07 • NR
Pro-Am Documentary
Joe Taylor
Ottumwa
A film that sends the audience on a visual journey across
America’s mystical landscape that spans two violent
centuries wonderment and decay.
Joe Taylor was born, educated and currently resides in
Iowa.
Elliot's Wake
0:14:27 • PG-13
Pro-Am Short
Mark Price, Adam Martyn
Seattle, WA
A beleaguered office worker must speak in tribute at his
boss’s funeral - mere minutes after discovering an
affair between the company’s young heir apparent and
his own wife.
Though I currently live in Seattle, Iowa has a very deep
connection for me, as my whole family has lived there since
the 1850’s. In fact, while staying there this past
summer, I was finally able to track down an old cemetery
where much of them are buried.
End of the Sawdust Trail
0:08:44 • NR
Student Short
Andy Brodie
Iowa City
http://www.andybrodie.com/sawdust/
A modern silent about a clown’s retirement, set to
an old-timey original score. A poetic exploration of aging,
identity and transformation, featuring a score by Seattle
cult musician Jason Webley.
Director Andy Brodie is a lifelong Iowan. Produced in Iowa
and filmed in Ames. Largely Iowan cast and crew. Andy Brodie
is a CRIFF alum (ROUND MIDNIGHT, 2005, Gold Eddy Winner;
and NO TWO SNOWFLAKES, 2006). Mark Huelsbeck, Director of
Photography, a 2007 CRIFF alum (ME & MOM, Gold Eddy
Winner).
Fatherland
0:14:50 • PG-13
Pro-Am Short
Ben Godar, Robert Warzecha, Scott Russell
Des Moines
http://www.robertwarzecha.com
(In German with English subtitles)
It is 1945 Germany. A Nazi soldier returns home to his childhood
farm with the intent of convincing his father to retreat
with him to Berlin. Old feelings rise to the surface and
suspicions grow until the son discovers that his father
has been harboring a family of Jews. With the Russians en
route, will their long buried love for each other emerge,
or in their bitterness will they cling to their ideals?
Screenwriter Ben Godar is an Iowa native, current resident
of Des Moines and graduate of Iowa State University.
Field of Screams
0:35:52 • PG-13
Student Long Form
Travis Drahozal, Jordan Kessler, Ben Schlotfelt
Solon
Will and Jake are just out of high school and are working
dead end jobs at the local cemetery. When a downed satellite
draws their attention, their meddling leads to a kooky disaster
as an army of the dead terrorizes the community. Being the
indolent characters they are, the challenge of saving the
town will take some sobering up...
All actors/crew born and raised in Solon. Film was shot
on location, and set in the rural Iowan town of Solon...movie
title itself is a play on the Iowa-based film Field of Dreams.
Filthy Gorgeous
0:18:45
Pro-Am Documentary
Rachel Johnson
A documentary that chronicles the lives of American, Midwestern
men who work the typical nine-to-five jobs go to church,
attend parent-teacher conferences, and on the weekends perform
as drag queens. Follow various Iowa performers as they share
their experiences of childhood cross-dressing, first time
drag performances, and their personal exploration of Midwestern
drag culture.
The main subjects in this film are Iowan – some born
and raised while other moved here later in their lives.
The doc focuses on the lives of Midwestern drag queens though
(again). All the main subjects are from Iowa.
Financial AIDS
0:19:43 • PG-13
Pro-Am Short
Steven T. Berry
Coralville
Mike and Nancy have dated all through college. Now in their
senior year, a tainted indiscretion might have put their
lives and their diplomas in jeopardy.
Writer/Director raised in Des Moines, now visiting professor
at the University of Iowa.
FRAG
1:27:56 • NR
Professional Documentary
Mike Pasley, Judd Saul, Todd Fossey
Cedar Falls
FRAG is a story of disillusionment that sheds light on the
struggles that kids face while trying to break into and
maintain success in pro gaming. At a young age, they are
faced with making adult decisions that impact the rest of
their lives. Below the surface of a simple game is an underbelly
of corruption, money, partying, drugs, and even death. Exploited,
abused, and abandoned, most gamers fail to reach the top,
but like all sports, there are heroes. FRAG pulls the curtain
back on the biggest sport industry in the world, one that
you know nothing about
The director and producers were all born and live in Iowa.
Haunting Villisca
2:33:31 • NR
Professional Feature
James Serpento, Kimberly Busbee
Des Moines
www.hauntingvillisca.com
Haunting Villisca is inspired by a true story. In 1912 in
the quiet town of Villisca, Iowa, J.B. and Sara Moore, their
four children and two young houseguests were axe murdered
in their beds. Reverend L.G. Jacklin Kelly, a deranged traveling
preacher, and a well-known politician, F.F. Jones were implicated.
Despite two trials and much public scandal, the crime was
never solved. Now, nearly a century later, paranormal teams
investigate reports of strange occurrences and the haunting
of the crime scene. Against this historical backdrop, Professor
David Salt travels to Villisca with a guilty secret of his
own. Drawn to the fabled spot, David is driven to seek his
own redemption by helping help free the spirits trapped
in the small white house.
Haunting Villisca’s story is set in Iowa, it was
produced and shot on location in Villisca and other Iowa
towns, the co-writers, director, producer and most of the
cast and crew are from Iowa.
The Human Trace
1:53:20 • PG-13
Professional Feature
Jason Satterlund
Spokane Valley, WA
thehumantrace.com
Over the last year, a series of grisly murders has plagued
the small town of Solace. Investigators are baffled because
no cause of death can be determined with the victims. Because
local law enforcement is under suspicion county detective
Kyle Fishburn is sent to undercover to find the killer.
He quickly discovers a frightening twist to the crimes.
An evil is gripping the town and soon it will come for him.
Geoff Koch, the film's composer, grew up in Cedar Rapids
and attended Washington High School class of '89. Michaele
Satterlund, an actress in the film, a primary investor and
spouse of the director, was born and raised in Estherville
where her family still lives.
In the Company of Wolves
0:05:20 • PG-13
Pro-Am Freestyle
Kevin Railsback
Fairfax
www.silverphoenixllc.com
In the Company of Wolves give you a rare glimpse into a
single day into the lives of a wolf pack. From playful to
savage you’re invited to take a brief glimpse into
their remarkable social structure. Some scenes may be to
graphic for young children.
The producer and director make Iowa their home.
An Inconsequential Matter
0:07:27 • PG-13
Professional Short
Max Allan Collins, Chuck Hughes, Phillip W. Dingeldein
Muscatine
maxallancollins.com
In this mostly black and white film noir short, a rich older
man (Michael Cornelison) confronts his young wife (Jenna
Good) and her new boyfriend (Brendan Dunphy) and offers
a tempting if possibly deadly way out. Shot in three hours
at a workshop presented by the Iowa Motion Picture Association,
and the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance. It represents Road
to Perdition creator Max Allan Collins’ first film
from another writer's script Chuck Hughes.
Film shot at IMPA Shooting Scripts workshop. All personnel
Iowa residents or Quad Cities residents.
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Iowa
History Makers Salute
0:28:30 • G
Pro-Am Documentary
Betty Andrews Media, African-American History Museum of
Iowa, Steven T. Berry
Coralville
Four testimonial presentations of history making women in
Iowa. Ann Mae We ems-Waterloo, Catherine Williams - Des
Moines, Lametta Wynn - Clinton, and Willie Stevenson Glanton
- Des Moines. Sponsored by the African American Museum and
cultural center of Cedar Rapids produced by Betty Andrews
Media in association with Torriano Film Productions
All elements of the film are from of Iowa.
Iowa's Lincoln Highway Route
0:20:05 • G
Professional Documentary
Michael Kelly
Vinton
Historic overview of America’s first transcontinental
highway and its Iowa connection.
This documentary is about Iowa’s portion of the Lincoln
Highway. It was filmed and edited in Iowa by a 7th generation
Iowan.
Journey: A Journey to the Heart
of the Journey
0:27:48 • NR
Student Long Form
Aaron Chrenen, Ben Lepley, Jack Eggers, Sara Chrenen, Dan
Brauer
Burbank, CA
www.nunranch.com
While sharing a car ride home from their respective colleges,
new acquaintances Aaron and Ben discuss the possibility
of a human walking 80 miles. Eager for an adventure and
needy for a friend, Ben coerces Aaron to go against his
better judgment and undertake an 80-mile trek personally.
Together, they travel through the seedy underbelly of Little
Third World and the untamed wilderness, coming to discover
that at the heart of their journey...there is a subsequent
journey.
Story is set in Iowa, all cast and crew, excluding Producer
Jack Eggers, are or have been residents.
Knights of Caemonshire
1:06:50 • PG
Student Long Form
Adam Orton
Chicago, IL
Knights of Caemonshire is an action/adventure movie set
in 11th century Europe. During the Crusades, the inhabitants
of Caemonshire were called to war against the Turks. An
evil knight seized this opportunity to take control and
tax the people into poverty. Philip and William, two orphans
struggling to make ends meet in Caemonshire, come to the
assistance of a girl named Elizabeth on a mysterious quest.
Through their journey, Philip and William are forced to
face their past while Elizabeth learns the truth about hers.
Film was shot in Iowa with Iowa actors.
Lost Nation: The Ioway
0:58:23 • NR
Professional Documentary
Fourth Wall Films: Kelly and Tammy Rundle
Moline, IL
fourthwallfilms.com
In the twilight of a Native American empire, two Ioway brothers
travel to Washington, D. C. in 1824 to meet with Superintendent
of Indian Affairs, William Clark. Both sign a treaty ceding
tribal land for white settlement. White Cloud sees cooperation
as the only way for his people to survive, while Great Walker
regrets the loss of land. The Ioway people are divided,
with some regarding one brother as a traitor, and the other
as a patriot. After the tribe is removed, the 36 million
acres they once called home is named IOWA. Lost Nation:
The Ioway tells the dramatic true tale of two Native brothers’
struggle to save their people from inevitable American conquest,
and the Ioway Nation’s current fight to reclaim and
maintain their unique history and culture.
Tammy is an Iowa native. Kelly is a former Iowa resident.
The film is an Iowa history subject. The state was named
after the subjects of the film–the Ioway. Much of
the film was shot at historical locations within Iowa. The
film premiered in October 2007 at the State Historical Society
of Iowa in Des Moines.
The Magician
0:02:16 • G
Student Short
Shaun Abernathy, Nick Bray, Dave Grove
El Cerrito, CA
www.shaunabernathy.com
This is an animated production that depicts the conflict
between the magician and his rabbit assistant.
The animator, songwriter, and musician all attended Linn-Mar
High School in Iowa.
mono.nucle.osis
0:03:57 • NR
Student Freestyle
Charlotte Taylor
Iowa City
Your spleen could explode, but this happened instead..
Filmmaker is currently a student at the University of Iowa
and resident of Iowa City.
New Year's Eve
0:06:09 • G
Pro-Am Freestyle
Josie Metal-Corbin, Chalie Livingston, Ver Kathol
Omaha, NE
Based on an idea from Timothy Schaffert's novel "The
Singing and Dancing Daughters of God" and commissioned
by the Omaha (downtown) Lit Fest, New Year’s Eve is
about the dances of relationships, from the first playful
touches of flirtation to the tense push and pulls of a couple
quietly breaking apart. New Year’s Eve is a dance
set in the kitchen and on the rooftop of a Nebraska home
with original music by Vern Kathol.
Filmmaker is a U of I graduate.
Next Exit, Main Street
1:16:57 • PG
Professional Documentary
Jeff Baldo, Travis Cook, Dana Mannion, Jeremy von Stilb
Los Angeles, CA
nextexitmovie.com
In an effort to discover the depth of our country’s
polarization, four recent college graduates decide to travel
across the United States gathering stories encompassing
the spectrum of life in America. Their goal is to find the
human stories behind the nation’s social and political
schism, proving that Americans are not tied together by
political identity, geographical location or belief systems,
but primarily by love, hope and dreams—universal truths.
"As a part of our trek from coast to coast gathering
stories about varied life experiences that can be found
in our country, we spent time in Des Moines at a little
league football game and the Valle Drive-In theater in Newton.
We had a great time and want to thank all Iowans who welcomed
four young filmmakers into their state."
Pieces of the Sun
0:13:52 • G
Student Freestyle
Lee Buchenau, Kamau Bilal
Grinnell
Pieces of the Sun is the story of a young man’s relationship
with the woman of his dreams. The story revolves around
his inability to discern between the reality and the fantasy
of how she truly feels for him. The young man often speaks
of his inability to notice the world around him; it is in
this idea that one may pose the question of whether he chooses
to remain oblivious, or simply is oblivious to certain truths
about his ‘perfect’ relationship. The young
man is constantly struggling to please her, all with the
hopes that she will stay with him.
Filmmaker was born in Iowa.
Plainview
0:24:14 • PG-13
Pro-Am Short
Scott Jones, Liz Dotts
Chicago, IL
www.talilifilms.com/plainview
Inspired by true events, Plainview is the story of Missy,
a small town restaurant manager in charge of Brian, her
simple-minded, yet endearing employee who’s painfully
aware of the incompetencies that cause his register drawer
to come up short. When Missy receives a detective’s
phone call concerning monetary thefts within the company,
it’s Brian who’s the main suspect. Slowly, the
detective talks her step-by-step into a thorough investigation
of Brian. Each step grows increasingly humiliating, culminating
into a full-body strip search, before Missy discovers her
detective’s true, horrifying intention. Now, after
being berated by both her boss and the local sheriff, Missy’s
newfound empathy for Brian motivates her attempt to restore
not just his dignity, but her own as well.
"I, Scott T. Jones, the writer, director, and producer
of Plainview, was born and raised in Sioux City, IA. I spent
the first 20 years of my life in Iowa and I believe the
state and the Midwest as a whole had a huge influence on
the themes and characters I chose to make films about."
A Plea For Everyman
0:12:24 • NR
Student Short
Joe Boyle
Davenport
www.JoeBoyleFilms.com
Everyman lies destitute on the Road to Destruction. His
would-be Savior could become his greatest friend or his
most hated enemy.
Film was made by Iowa born filmmaker Joe Boyle. One of
the actors, Jim Siokos, was born in Iowa. Music was composed
by Iowa musician Devin Kirby-Hansen. Film was completely
shot in Iowa.
Royer
0:14:53 • NR
Pro-Am Documentary
Brett Stout
Coralville
http://web.mac.com/brettstout
From her small studio in Marion Iowa Anne Royer leans over
her workstation surrounded by unfinished paintings and sculptures.
At her feet, her small dog Emma patiently waits for moments
of attention between brushstrokes. Through her small glasses
she eyes the clean lines and simplifies the forms in her
mind. What leaves the studio is the work of a woman who
has defied the conventions of Iowa’s past artist and
given a new inspirational direction for its future.
"Both Anne Royer and I are residents of Iowa."
Stranger
0:05:20 • G
Student Short
Jenny Stolte
Chicago, IL
www.collateraldamageproductions.com
Things are not always as they seem.
Writer/Director/Editor and lead actor both born and raised
in Hiawatha.
Taffy
0:06:20
Student Short
Thomas Matysik, Jordan LaVine
Des Moines
Jerry (Thomas Matysik), a manager for the Laffy Taffy corporation
supervises a performance evaluation for an all too creative
employee, Sal (Jordan LaVine). The further it progresses,
Sal’s anarchic style is only displayed further and
further. A sketch.
All cast and crew are Des Moines residents.
Walking Stick
0:21:54 • PG
Pro-Am Short
Matthew Fleming, Nicholas J. Kane
Chicago, IL
Forced into attending a team-building weekend with his
officemates, a chronic bed wetter discovers a painting,
which he perceives to have magical properties capable of
curing his malady.
Director and actor Matt Fleming is a Dubuque native, graduated
from Dubuque Wahlert High School in 1984 and from the University
of Northern Iowa in 1990. Actor Kalin Coates is a Council
Bluffs native. The scene involving the Greyhound Bus was
filmed in Iowa City.
We Are Theo
0:22:00 • G
Student Short
Geoff Boothby, Cullen Thomas, Jonathan Cohen
The story of Theo, a sophomore at a university in Iowa,
who encounters Lela - the greatest girl in the world - and
decides to pursue her. But before he can make a move, or
even a decision about what kind of move to make, his world
is flipped upside down when he stumbles upon a secret society
meeting. It then turns into a journey inside Theo’s
head and the mechanics of the decision he must make as he
is sent first to the devil and the to God for advice.
Film was produced in Iowa.
Who Deserves the Vote?
0:04:10 • G
Student Freestyle
Joel Bouwers
Pella
One man travels through all the counties of Iowa searching
for others to rally with him for certain presidential candidates,
only in a way different than expected. This music video
shows the beautiful courthouses of Iowa and also reminds
us of how important Iowa is when it comes to the presidential
race.
The entire film is set in Iowa and goes through all 99
counties.
Wild No More
0:03:10 • G
Pro-Am Freestyle
Kevin Railsback
Fairfax
www.silverphoenixllc.com
In a single generation, 99% of Iowa’s tall grass prairies
were plowed under. Is there any wild left in Iowa?
The producer and director make Iowa their home.
You Might Need It Someday
0:05:14 • G
Student Documentary
Phoebe Webb
Iowa City
A film about the filmmaker's family and the things we hold
on to.
"My grandmother, mother, and I have all grown up and
gone to school in Iowa. I filmed this documentary at my
grandmother’s house in Davenport and I edited it in
Iowa City for my 16mm class at the University of Iowa." |
