Get away to the big screen and discover unforgettable films. From the Siouxland to Snake Alley, Iowa film festivals stay with you long after the credits have rolled. See careers launched and engage in discussions with filmmakers. Weekends in Iowa just got more entertaining. View the statewide listing below and start planning your getaway.
The Oneota Film Festival (OFF) is a local, non-profit arts organization dedicated to bringing great films about important issues to Northeast Iowa. Held every March in the charming town of Decorah, its mission is to show independent films that inform, inspire, and engage our audience. These films include documentaries, student films, fiction films, and animations. All OFF events are FREE for everyone to attend and often appropriate for all ages. OFF is made possible by the generous donations of our sponsors, members, and event attendees.
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) is a five-day event in April held in downtown Dubuque that not only brings the finest in independent features, documentaries and short films from across the country and around the world, but many of the filmmakers themselves. Attendees come to watch, discuss and support important and interesting films, and enhance the festivals standing as a leading promoter of arts, culture and education. JDIFF is known for the quality of films shown, as well as the panels, workshops and opportunities throughout the festival for attendees and filmmakers and was voted one of the "Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker magazine.
The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF) showcases movies that have a Midwestern influence. Every April, it offers filmmakers a chance to screen their work and have it critiqued. Films are accepted from any location, but must meet the criteria of having an Iowa connection. This qualification requires that an entry has an association with Iowa such as a key crew member or actor who was born or educated or lived and worked in Iowa; a story set in Iowa or about an Iowa topic; or part or all of the film produced in Iowa. So be sure to add this Cedar Rapids festival to your Iowa bucket list.
The mission of the Cedar River Film Festival is to promote and present films made by, in or about Iowans with the purpose of illuminating stories that resonate with Iowa residents. The 2-day festival takes place at the historic Oster Regent Theatre in the heart of Cedar Falls.
The Des Moines Latino Film Festival is a free, multi-day celebration of Latino culture through art, music, food, live performances and, of course, film. Held every April in Des Moines, the festival is inspired by the annual Chicago Latino Film Festival and was founded by leaders at the Latino Center of Iowa in 2021 to contribute to the momentum of Iowa’s growing Latino community. The multi-media event is designed to elevate and amplify Latino voices, including local filmmakers, and it warmly welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds to join the celebration.
The Farm to Film Fest is an annual independent film festival located in beautiful Washington every April. With a mission of engaging and entertaining audiences through film, it's know for inspiring thought-provoking conversation and enriching the community with the promotion of the arts while celebrating film heritage.
The Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (IC Docs) is an annual April event run by students at the University of Iowa. Their mission is to engage local audiences with the exhibition of recent short films that explore the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking. They seek innovative new works of 30 minutes or less that both complicate and expand upon conventional approaches to nonfiction and documentary.
The Interrobang Film Festival’s vision is to celebrate creativity, while promoting a wide array of film types. Representing motion pictures as part of the nationally-renowned Des Moines Arts Festival in June, the three-day IMDb-verified event is part juried competition, public screening and workshop. The audience – whether cinema enthusiast or curious newcomer– is able to experience curated screenings of films from Iowa and around the globe. Grab a seat inside the Des Miones Central Library to see the films for yourself.
The Snake Alley Festival of Film (SNAFF) is dedicated to showcasing the best short films from around the world. Films are screened at the beautifully restored Capitol Theater in the heart of downtown Burlington every July. The theater boasts state of the art equipment and can comfortably seat more than 350 people. Buy a ticket ahead of time to secure your spot.
The Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project's mission is to advance filmmaking and promote filmmakers. Through its festival/competition in late July, the Project encourages filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers to make movies. The tight deadline of 48 hours puts the focus squarely on the filmmakers—emphasizing creativity and teamwork skills. While the time limit places an unusual restriction on the filmmakers, it’s also liberating by putting an emphasis on "doing" instead of "talking. The completed films are premiered for local audiences just days after they are made. The Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project also offers a separate 48 Hour Film Horror Project event in October.
The Alternating Currents film festival is open to all genres. Music. Film. Comedy. Art. In late August, downtown Davenport vibrates with energy as over a dozen venues host a wide variety of original live music, film screenings, comedians and visual artists. The goal of the festival is to help filmmakers promote their work, meet new contacts and create a new audience.
Founded in 2007, the Iowa Independent Film Festival (IIFF) brings independent films, unique documentaries and student productions from local, national and international filmmakers as well as prominent actors, producers and directors. The festival is hosted jointly in Mason City and Clear Lake every September and includes workshops, seminars, director Q&A’s, as well as networking opportunities. It’s a festival so big it takes two cities to host it!
Launched in 2005, the Sioux City International Film Festival (SCIFF) is held every October and is the longest continuously running shorts festival in Iowa. Festival organizers, all volunteers, make film selections from hundreds of local, national and international submissions to produce an outstanding three-day program. Filmmakers and film enthusiasts participate in workshops, hear from industry guest speakers, and, of course, enjoy films. SCIFF is headquartered at the downtown Promenade Cinema with state-of-the-art projection and recliner seating. Filmmakers enjoy a theatrical release of their independent films and attendees delight in screening films from all genres and all parts of the world. All festival activities take place in the heart of Sioux City, on Historic Fourth Street, surrounded by the best lodging, restaurants and bars all within easy walking distance.
FilmScene in Iowa City started the Refocus Film Festival in 2022, with films, conversations, performances and art inspired by the work of adaptation. This October festival focuses on transforming one art form into another, such as a book into a movie. Movie lovers will rejoice at the opportunity to take in multiple films each day, with screenings preceded by performances by local artists to form a kaleidoscopic impression of the many artistic disciplines that inform our big screen experience. In addition, a series of curated dialogues, in collaboration with Iowa City Book Festival, takes us deeper into conversation about how an idea journeys from page to screen. And yes, of course, there are special guests, parties and celebration!
As Iowa's only horror film showcase, Halloweenapalooza was created by horror filmmakers for horror fans. The annual film festival takes place each October in Ottumwa and features vendors, celebrity appearances, costume contests, live music, a Rocky Horror screening and much more. Halloweenapalooza is held at the local convention center to further enhance your horror film experience.
No matter the season, Iowa offers endless possibilities. Whether it’s a family getaway, an outdoor adventure, or anything in between, we know a place.
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