2009 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival April 3, 2009

Cedar Rapids, IA – Cedar Rapids Independent Filmmakers brings you the 2009 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, at the Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twix Town Road, Marion, Iowa. The festival will showcase the work of filmmakers from across the state and around the country, all with strong connections to Iowa.

Seventy films were submitted for consideration. A panel of judges awarded 31 with Official Selection status. These films will go on to compete for Gold and Silver Eddy Awards and the Audience Choice and Iowa Connection Eddys, which will be presented at a Saturday night ceremony.

“We are excited to showcase the great work of Iowa filmmakers. This year entrants have crafted some wonderful stories,” said Scott Chrisman, Communications Director, “and delivered some exceptional films.”

The Official Selections represent a wide variety of features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, animations and experimental films at Student, Pro-Am and Professional levels. Films to be screened are:

"50 States," Caity Birmingham, Chicago, Illinois;
"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" by Lane Wyrick, Iowa City, Iowa;
"A License to Write: The Iowa Workshop Experience" by Jennifer Proctor, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
"African Soul, American Heart" by Kevin Brooks, Fargo, North Dakota;
"Car Chase" by Lucas Baty, Des Moines, Iowa;
"Contrails" by Andy Richards, Iowa City, Iowa;
"Disrepair" by Jeff Curtis, Omaha, Nebraska;
"Drop Gun" by Eric Freese, Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
"Escape" Jenny Stolte, Hiawatha, Iowa;
"Frautschi" by Sabine Golz, Iowa City, Iowa;
"Gustav’s Brush" by Tom Katsis, Valley Glen, California
; "I’m Your Man" by Bradley Fritz, Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
"The Last Lullaby" by Max Allan Collins, Muscatine, Iowa;
"Little Bizzy" by Rachel Kolb, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
"The Lost Nomads" by Ty Clancy, Los Angeles;
"Luella's License" by James Niebuhr, Iowa City, Iowa;
"The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands" by Ian Klink, Aurora, Illinois;
"Morgan’s Last Call" by Matt Olson, Chicago, Illinois;
"Open Up!" by L. Stephen Phelan, Gurnee, Illinois;
"The River" by Kevin Railsback, Fairfax, Iowa;
"Sister Patchouli" by Scott Thompson, Mondovi, Wisconsin;
"Stray Dog" by John Rohrtet, Iowa City, Iowa;
"Take-Out" by Joe Clarke, Iowa City, Iowa;
"The Thacker Case" by Stewart and Nancy Pepper, Los Angeles, California;
"This American Gothic" by Sasha Waters Freyer, Iowa City, IA;
"Use Only as Needed" by Nicolaas Bertelsen, Los Angeles, California;
"The Vigilant One" by Adam Orton, Chicago, Illinois;
"Winky" by Josh Porro, Los Angeles, California;
"Wormtooth Nation" by Geoff Boothby, Fairfield, Iowa;
"Zombie Blues" by Carlos De Leon, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In addition to the screenings, three special filmmaking seminars will be held. Plans are still being finalized for these.

The Festival is open to the general public. Admission prior to April 2 is $8 each session for Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening sessions. An all-event pass is $25 prior to April 2. Prices April 3 and 4 are $10 each session, or $35 for an all-event pass. The Eddy Awards Ceremony is free with any other festival ticket purchase. Presale tickets may be purchased at the theatre box office, or by calling 319-377-4555.

For more information, visit http://www.crifm.org/festival.html, e-mail Scott Chrisman at scott@crifm.org, or call (319) 431-1320.

The Festival is sponsored in part by Collins Road Theatres, KCRG-TV9, the Iowa Motion Picture Association, the Iowa Film Office, Studio4 Productions and Jungle Software.

The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival was created to provide a venue for Iowa filmmakers to screen their work for peers and general audiences. The organization’s primary goals are to encourage Iowa independent filmmakers to continue improving their craft, to provide a place to specifically showcase Iowa-connected films, present a unique cultural event to the community, and to offer networking opportunities for the purpose of building the Iowa Filmmaking Industry.

Ticket Information

April 3- 6:00pm-11:00pm
April 4- 10:00am-11:00pm
Tickets:
Advance: $8 each of 4 sessions
or $25 for full festival pass
Day-of-Festival: $10 each
session or $35 for full

Official Website: http://www.crifm.org/festival.html