April 4-6, 2025
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!
The 2025 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival will be held April 4-6, 2025 at Collins Road Theatres!
62 Official Selections
Sixty-two films with Iowa connections from across the country! Judges reviewed 102 entries—nearly 45 hours of high-quality storytelling, diverse perspectives, and standout performances. It was no easy task narrowing it down, and we sincerely thank all filmmakers for sharing their work.
Schedule | About the Films | Tickets | FAQ
2 Discussion Forums
Representation and Identity in Independent Cinema
Saturday, 4:15 pm
Movies let us step into someone else’s world and see life through their eyes. Whether telling real stories or creating fictional ones, how do filmmakers approach representation and diversity, especially when considering populations who have been historically underrepresented or misrepresented in mainstream cinema?
Join us for a panel discussion on identity in filmmaking, where independent filmmakers share how they navigate storytelling with accuracy, sensitivity, and purpose—crafting stories that resonate with the communities they depict while inviting wider audiences to connect, understand, and empathize.
Student Discussion: Real job or REEL job?
Sunday, 2:40 pm
What creative roadblocks am I hitting, and what am I doing about it? How can I…and should I…make a feature film for cheap? Why does it seem everyone else’s final projects are better than mine? Is there a point to this career – isn’t AI going to make me obsolete?
Perhaps these questions are on your mind, or maybe you have others. We are ALL students, and no matter how long you’ve been making films, there are always new things to learn. Let’s talk about what’s going on in the world, in your school, in your life. What stories do you want to tell? What’s stopping you?
Every entrant is welcome to free admission, and has the opportunity to schedule a personal Conversation With the Judges, on Sunday, April 6. This rare opportunity for one-on-one feedback has long been a hallmark of the Festival, and is regarded by many filmmakers as the most valuable perk of entry.
In addition to being screened twice for our enthusiastic audience, Official Selections are honored with a commemorative shirt with your name on the back, your entry featured on promotional statewide media, additional complimentary passes, and advancement into the Saturday night Eddy Awards competition. Gold and Silver Eddy Awards are presented in Professional, Hobbyist and Student categories for Features, Shorts, Documentaries, and “Freestyle” (experimental, music video, video art, etc.) films. We also award the Audience Choice Eddy and Student Audience Choice Eddy, voted on by audience members. The Iowa Connection Eddy is awarded to that film which best represents Iowa’s filmmaking community. It’s a film that tells the world WHO is making films in Iowa, WHY they’re doing it in this state, and WHAT Iowa stories are being told. Finally, the Collins Road Theatres Scholarship is awarded to a student filmmaker to further the recipient’s filmmaking education.
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’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. Ticket pricing and purchase links will be available on our Tickets Page in early March.
We can’t wait to see you at CRIFF 2025!
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.
Our handsome Eddy trophies are custom-fabricated in Hiawatha by Fiddle Sticks!
Thank you for Your Generous Support!
CRIFF host since 2004, $1000 Student Scholarship Sponsor
Popcorn with real butter.
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Welcome to Iowa. Our state is ready for your story.
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Technology Sponsor
Unforgettable, high-tech, event experiences.
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Printing Sponsor
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Eddy Awards Ceremony Presenting Sponsor
A family-owned, local community bank.
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