April 5-7, 2024
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!
Download a PDF copy of the 2024 Official Program!
57 Films!
We screened fifty-seven films with Iowa Connections, from all over the country, at the 2024 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival.
Our distinguished panel of judges had their work cut out for them: They watched 102 entries – over 45 hours of high production values, compelling stories, diverse perspectives, and masterful performances. It was a challenge to pare the list down, and the judges (and we staff) extend thanks and appreciation for the outstanding films entered.
Check out what each film is about, their Iowa Connection, the filmmakers and posters on the About the Films page.
This year we introduced the CRIFF Iowa Filmmaking Impact Award, presented to individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to filmmaking with Iowa Connections, and/or our festival.
The first Impact Award went to Bruce Taylor and Collins Road Theatres for supporting CRIFF, awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships, and being the best host for this event for 20 years.
The second Impact Award went to Craig Schaefer, Loras College Professor of Media Studies for his indelible impact on this festival since 2003. Craig has been directly or indirectly involved in 46 entries and 41 official selections, including 5 this year, and numerous Eddy Awards. And even more importantly, he has mentored hundreds and continues to mentor young filmmakers, building the creative community of the future.
Congratulations to all the Official Selections, and special recognition to the following individuals and films!
Eddy Award Winners
Student Freestyle
Gold – Genesis, by Dillon Jacobson, University of Iowa
Silver – Automated Confession Service, by Ethan John Ahrens, University of Iowa
Student Narrative Short Form Film
Gold – Layaway, by Kaitlyn Busbee, NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Silver – Charlotte’s: A Love Story, by Libby Perry and Emily Surma, Loras College
Student Documentary
Gold – Why Not Me? by Libby Perry and Emily Surma, Loras College
Silver – Life in Color, by Kendra Gauge Hefner, Harvard Extension School
Student Narrative Long-Form Film
Gold – This Is He, by Leah Rebekah Bennett and Blake Bodlak, Wayne State University
ProAm Freestyle
Gold – Outlaws: A Poem, by Jason Cox, Whitney Montgomery, Tiffany Iskander and Gregg Voegtlin
Silver – Romantics & Rebels, by Braxten Jones
ProAm Short Form
Gold – Jamiroquai Has No Friends, by Kazek Israni-Winger and Abby Bjorholm
Silver – Tillie, by D Andrew Hartfield, Noelle P. Wilson and Tillie Hartfield
ProAm Documentary
Gold – A Century of Citizenship, by Gabriel Fink, Ashton Nanke and Spare Card Media
Silver – Tama Flint: A Meskawi Tradition, by Oogie Push and the Meskwaki People
ProAm Feature
Gold – Crimson Archer a GI JOE fan film, by Pierre Doanetto, Eric Bench, John Doanetto and Chris Hansen
Silver – The Salvages, by Carrsan T. Morrissey
Professional Freestyle
Gold – Never Lose, by Josh Booth and Tyrone Thomas
Silver – Martian Encounter, by Paul Heuneman, Right Purdy Animation
Professional Narrative Short Form
Gold – Drawn, by Ty Clancey
Silver – We Joined a Cult, by Chris McInroy
Professional Documentary
Gold – Arcades & Love Songs – the Ballad of Walter Day, by Ed Cunningham
Silver – Shift: The Ragbrai Documentary, by Kelsey Kremer and Courtney Crowder
Professional Narrative Feature
Gold – Friendly Faces, by Keaton Fuller, Landon Sheetz, Joey Loboda, Spencer Michael Smith, Marissa Vonn, Bruce James Bales, Matthew Tribble, Ron Reynolds, Phillip Platz, Marc Bauer and Ricardo Rangel
Silver – Knee High, by Marissa Vonn, Bruce James Bales, Michael Ridley, Dakota Carpenter and Kalena Clarkson
Collins Road Theatres $1000 Scholarship
Lightsaber Battle, by Palmer George LeVake, Cedar Rapids Washington HS
Iowa Connection Eddy Award
Shift: The Ragbrai Documentary, by Kelsey Kremer and Courtney Crowder
Audience Choice Eddy Award
The Kid’s Table, by Beth Hinde and Stephen Folker
Student Audience Choice Eddy Award
S’mores, by Matthew Chezum, Augustana College
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.
We are also proud to present 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 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.
We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 CRIFF!
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.
These handsome trophies are meticulously fabricated by FiddleSticks.
Thank you for Your Generous Support!
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Eddy Awards Ceremony Sponsor
