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2008 Cedar Rapids Independent
Film Festival

April 4-5, 2008
Collins Road Theatres
Marion, Iowa 52402
319-377-4555

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Official Selections Synopses

Forty films were selected out of a field of over 100 entries. Below are titles, running times (hr:min:sec), categories, filmmakers, cities, web sites, synopses, and Iowa Connections. Consult the schedule page for showtimes.

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.

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."

 


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