April 14-16, 2023
Collins Road Theatres • Marion, Iowa
The Iowa Connection
CRIFF celebrates the fact that people with ties to Iowa are in the production industry EVERYWHERE. We search for films from anywhere and by anyone, who just happen to have an Iowa connection.
That could be a crew or cast member who lived, worked or went to school in Iowa; a film that was produced, at least in part, in Iowa; or a story featuring an Iowa subject or Iowan (present or former, real or fictional).
We’ve had films submitted from all across the US, and around the world! We tell skeptical filmmakers that if you don’t think your film qualifies, ask around…you just might have an Iowan on set!
We don’t like to brag, but 2023 may turn out to be the BEST CRIFF EVER! Ninety-nine films were entered, the most since 2007. And it’s not about the quantity – the quality of work overall was simply outstanding. Iowa Connected filmmakers are doing amazing things!
Our distinguished panel of judges had the unenviable task of whittling these down to 51 Official Selections. Each film is screened twice, giving audience members a chance to see MORE films, and for filmmakers to get their work in front of MORE viewers.
These films compete for GOLD and SILVER EDDY Awards, which are presented in Professional, ProAm and Student categories for Features, Shorts, Documentaries, and “Freestyle” (experimental, music video, video art, etc.) films. The IOWA CONNECTION EDDY is awarded to the film that tells the world WHO is making films in Iowa, WHY they’re doing it in Iowa, and WHAT stories come from Iowa.
The Eddy Award Ceremony Saturday night, April 16th, is presented by FARMERS STATE BANK.
Celebrating Student Filmmakers
They’re the future of the art and industry. Student filmmakers are integral to the festival’s success, so we value giving them red-carpet treatment.
Our host venue generously continues its COLLINS ROAD THEATRES $1000 SCHOLARSHIP, awarded to a student filmmaker in order to further the recipient’s filmmaking education and career.
NEW this year is Student Cinema Sunday, a special screening of just student films. Student tickets for this special session are at a greatly reduced rate. At the close of this event, we’ll present the Student Audience Choice Eddy Award!
The Festival is open to the general public, and the Saturday night Eddy Awards Ceremony is free with any other Festival ticket purchase. For pricing and purchase, visit our Tickets Page.
We can’t wait to see you at the 2023 CRIFF!
The PDF version of the Official Program is now available!
Interested in posting a flyer? Download the PDF
The Eddy Awards
The Eddy Awards are named after Thomas Alva Edison who, among many other pursuits, was a pioneer in motion picture technology. The term eddy is also defined as “a current moving contrary to the direction of the main current,” which is a suitable description for independent filmmakers, who often go against the current trends in mainstream cinema.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Venue Sponsor
Scholarship Sponsor
Technology Sponsor
Eddy Awards Ceremony Sponsor