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2024 Selected Films
A Man For The Job
16 mins
Dir. Lyn Elliot | Short
When a young hospital parking valet befriends a middle-aged patient, he discovers she wants something he may not be able to give.
After Ike: A Journey That Changed America
60 mins
Dir. Gregory F Maassen | Documentary
“After Ike” retraces Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower's pivotal 3,251-mile journey from Washington to San Francisco along the Lincoln Highway in 1919. This experience shaped his vision for U.S. highways that profoundly impacted small-town America and communities of color. The 60-minute film delves into the convoy's challenges and transformative effects.
An Open Door – Temple Grandin
59 mins
Dir. John Alexander Barnhardt | Documentary
An Open Door is the international award-winning documentary that reflects on the influential life and work of Dr. Temple Grandin as a champion of the humane treatment of livestock, autism rights, and inclusive neurodiversity by employing her gifted insights from her personal experience with autism and visual thinking. The film speaks with Dr. Grandin, her colleagues, industry professionals and those she has influenced to celebrate her groundbreaking life, lessons learned and lasting legacy. An Open Door is directed by award-winning filmmaker John Barnhardt and presented by Colorado State University.
Arcade Gamer: The True Story
46 mins
Dir. Tom Garland | Documentary
Jordan Dorrington is one of the best arcade video game players in the world. He holds multiple world records in the classic arcade game, Galaga (1981). Now eager to conquer Donkey Kong (1981), the film follows as he pursues his obscure obsession.
Ash Wednesday
17 mins
Dir. Grace O'Brien | Student
When queer Catholic schoolgirl Bridget gets her period during Ash Wednesday Mass, she embarks on an odyssey with best friend Erin to find a tampon and make it back in time to get their ashes - or else they're suspended.
Black Raven
40 mins
Dir. George Wyhinny | Documentary
A gripping documentary, featuring the witnesses of Joseph Stalin’s Holodomor Genocide of Ukrainians in 1932-33. Each persevered through horror. Each confronted death and struggled to survive. Their stories of resilience and defiance have kept Ukraine’s history and culture alive.
Brothers: A Civil War Story
20 mins
Dir. Casey Schaffer | Student
A young Confederate soldier comes face-to-face with his Union brother on the battlefield during the Battle of the Wilderness.
COVID Dystopia
4 mins
Dir. Thomas Thorspecken | Animation
This film includes over 200 digitally hand drawn works compiled and animated to provide an artistic commentary on COVID, politics, and the global and local impacts during this devastating and unprecedented time in history. Carefully timed to the tune of a prophetic post-apocalyptic musical number written nearly ten years earlier, this is a short you'll want to watch many times over until you begin to truly comprehend the horror.
Dion & Denver
15 mins
Dir. Zack Hosseini | Short
In the late 1960s, an aging Dion DiMucci, struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly changing America, meets an ambitious young John Denver who helps reignite his passion for music and reminds him of their place in the cultural spotlight.
Frail Grounds
20 mins
Dir. Abby Tarpey | Student
A girl, Margot, wakes up in a world unfamiliar to her, reuniting with her siblings to try to understand how she ended up there and how to escape. Finding the answers at her funeral, the trio learns what is important along the way.
Heartbeat by Heartbeat
23 mins
Dir. Alex Shores | Student
When a single father loses his job, he must find a way to pay for his daughter's heart surgery while struggling through the challenges of parenthood.
HOB
1 hr 16 mins
Dir. Michael Godfrey | Local
Explore the life of the late jazz musician, Hob Mason, through the eyes of his daughter, son, and fellow musicians.
Hunky Dory
6 mins
Dir. Steven Vander Meer | Music Video
Hunky Dory juxtaposes scenes of animal life with images of human existence, observing the quirky and unexpected ways in which we are similar. The meticulously hand-drawn animation is a visual smorgasbord, moving and morphing in perfect time to the banjo music of Béla Fleck and his bandmates in My Bluegrass Heart.
I'm Seeing An Invisible Man
7 mins
Dir. Matthew Hagen & Ethan Lex | Student
A documentary crew follows a sweet, old lady attempting to convince her family that her boyfriend is real. Unfortunately for her, he's invisible.
In Your Head
10 mins
Dir. Paul K & Dale L. Campbell | Iowa Made
At one point or another, we all have to or have already ventured out into the world, leaving whatever family we had known behind. It's still isolation to be in a room full of people, and not know a single one of them. All these people around you, and yet you have the audacity to feel alone. Opportunity around every corner, and yet all you can do is stat In Your Head. You are not alone. We have all been in our heads. We need to escape.
Infinite Battleground
6 mins
Dir. Kristopher J. Gathercoal | Music Video
Two men struggle to balance work with their passion for music.
Inheritance
29 mins
Dir. Benjamin Schmidt | Short
While sorting through the belongings of his deceased estranged uncle, John discovers some dark secrets and realizes he may have inherited more than he bargained for.
Knee High
1 hr 53 min
Dir. Marissa Vonn | Iowa Made
Following a sudden loss and a glimpse into new possibilities, Cal Melbourne, a young father forced to grow up fast on Iowa's farmlands, must choose between salvaging his family's legacy or pursuing an unknown future for himself and his son.
Layaway
13 mins
Dir. Kaitlyn T. Busbee | Student
Left by their mother to fend for themselves, two siblings in Iowa learn to live by their own code, until a choice becomes a secret that tests their trust in each other.
Limite
30 mins
Dir. George Nicholas | Short
Manuel is a 16-year-old living in Tijuana, Mexico with his grandfather while his mom works in the United States. When he meets a girl, he sees an opportunity to assert his independent, but what he doesn't know about her will push him to the limit. Inspired by real events.
Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice
2 hr 16 mins
Dir. Matthew Leonard Wilcox | Documentary
This documentary film follows a U.S. army unit named the Manchus during their service in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. This film depicts the Vietnam War from the ground up and explores the chaos of war.
Masterpiece
3 mins
Dir. Jaymz Eberly | Music Video
Trevor McShane is also the lawyer, Neville Johnson. Several years ago Neville was in a contentious lawsuit over a musical composition with Jeff Sanders, a lawyer from New York. They had pleasant conversations with each other, and Jeff mentioned he was going to go down the Colorado river on a raft with his twin daughters. The day before a big hearing on the case in Los Angeles, Neville got word that Jeff had passed away at the hotel. Trevor/Neville understands he was a relatively young man. This caused Neville to recall the famous quote oaf UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden that we “must make each day your masterpiece.“ Neville wrote the biography of Coach Wooden, “Three John Wooden Pyramid of Success.” Using this quote, Neville honored the life and spirit of Jeff Sanders in the song “Masterpiece.” We are all here for short for such a short time. We’ve all got to make the most of every day.
Meeting Michael Vol 2
14 mins
Dir. Frank Boyd & Brittany Benedict |
Iowa Made
The stranger returns to instill hope in a small midwestern town
Meme Me
19 mins
Dir. Alec Goldberg | Short
After cyber bullying his classmate for being Jewish, Tyler is given the option to be expelled or to do a research paper/presentation with the help of the mom of the kid he bullied.
Memorable Night
8 mins
Dir. Romain Fleury | Short
In a retirement home, Robert and Marcelle are getting ready for an event that will take them out of their daily lives: a night out at the discotheque. Despite Robert's Alzheimer's disease does not improve, Marcelle stays by his side, reviving memories. Clémentine, their granddaughter, has volunteered to accompany them and is looking forward to sharing important news with them….
Never Not Yours
1 hr 22 mins
Dir. John Klein & Stephen Kniss | Feature
30ish siblings Michael, Ellie, and James drive to their family cabin to visit their parents Jonathan and Maddie. But when their mom and dad unexpectedly announce their divorce, chaos ensues.
Obsessed
5 mins
Dir. Ashley Cherie Long | Music Video
The music video for artist Tory Church. Directed, shot, and edited by Ashley Long.
Operarius
21 mins
Dir. Colin Schlei | Local
A surrealist exploration of wealth, greed, and the cannibalization of the working class.
Outlaws: A Poem
4 mins
Dir. Jason Cox | Short
Bonnie and Clyde meet Billy the Kid, bringing together two generations of outlaws that could not escape Death or the infamy that followed
Resurrecting Forest Grove
58 mins
Dir. Kelly Rundle | Documentary
In 2012, a small group of preservationists stood before the hollowed-out shell of the unique and historic 1873 Forest Grove School No. 5. In the shadow of the gray, windowless, sagging structure they decided it could, and should, be saved.
Riding Out The Storm
15 mins
Dir. Bruce Alan Johnson | Short
On the day Hurricane Sandy is set to hit Staten Island, a woman must decided whether or not to evacuate the home her late husband built for them. A movie musical short. Directed by Bruce Alan Johnson. Screenplay and lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson, music and score by Michael Mott.
Roast Pork Butt
19 mins
Dir. Zack Burkett | Short
Roast Pork Butt is the story of the worst date I ever had.
Second Thought
7 mins
Dir. Chris Stanley | Short
The film explores the nuances of modern gay dating and highlights the diverse experiences within our community. It's about encouraging deeper connections and understanding that romance can be more fulfilling when it’s not rushed.
Sendero
1 hr 40 mins
Dir. Michael Flores | Feature
Sol and Gina had big dreams of travel and adventure in their vintage RV over their summer break from teaching elementary. But when Gina’s life is cut short by a school shooter, Sol desperately tries to hold onto her memory by taking to the open road with their little dog, Rosie. Lost and in search for answers along his own personal odyssey, Sol realizes through helping others and rediscovering lessons from his Mestizo heritage that his true path has been laid before him all along.
Shannon Is Strange
17 mins
Dir. Don Hessell & Alan LaFave | Short
A phone call sends Shannon through a labyrinth on her way to an epic showdown with the elusive Jack. Will she succeed or fail at her quest? What we know for sure is that Shannon Is Strange. Embark on a Bowie-inspired odyssey that celebrates deep tracks, eclectic friends, playful diversions, and the underdog in a small town.
Stockton to Table Rock
1 hr 27 mins
Dir. Elliot Norton | Feature
Weeks before graduation, a high school senior confronts her abusive mother and wrestles with whether forgiveness is possible.
Sweet Pea
14 mins
Dir. Casey Bischel | Short
A young family loses a child and heals over the next 10 years.
The Cross
1 hr 30 mins
Dir. Michael G White & Shelby Hagerdon | Iowa Made
When Delore and Vivienne, French Catholic immigrants, open a successful restaurant in a rural Iowa town in the 1922, they are tormented by the KuKluxKlan. Fearing for their three teenage daughters, they are forced to confront the hidden prejudice of their community as they fight for the wellbeing of their family.
The Doer
16 mins
Dir. Richard Williams | Short
A down on his luck middle-aged man reinvents himself as a personal success strategist. When a woman and her son visit, he has an opportunity to present his "ultimate system" to them.
The Kids’ Table
45 mins
Dir. Stephen Folker | Feature/Iowa Made
A compulsive, middle aged house wife struggles to pull together the perfect Christmas Eve.
The Mantis Ring
1 hr 26 mins
Dir. Luke James Bell | Local
Eliza, the victim of a sexually based crime has been denied justice from the legal system. After a night of drinking, she gets unique inspiration from her pet mantis to seek her own form of justice. With aid from he best friend, Addilynn, Eliza embarks on a crusade for revenge and justice that expands beyond her attacker.
The Satchel
15 mins
Dir. Joseph Stevens | Short/Student
Riding aboard a steam locomotive in the heart of the Wild West, a mysterious traveler enlists the help of a seasoned outlaw to retrieve his stolen satchel, which contains a deadly secret.
The Suit
20 mins
Dir. Carol McCann | Short
The short film, The Suit, inspired by a song of the same name written by the legendary songwriter Hugh Prestwood, follows a salt of the earth older woman and her granddaughter who go in search of the perfect suit for Grandpa, a man who has spent his life “scratchin’ the earth.” Together they travel the Nebraska countryside, making stops at a General Store, a fine haberdashery, and ultimately, a Thrift store where we ultimately learn it is the suit Grandpa will be buried in. The Suit is about how the simplest task can take on monumental importance. It’s about how to say goodbye when words are utterly inadequate. The many ways we express love. And how we manage to continue in its absence, finding our strength in those around us.
The Unexpected Guests
3 mins
Dir. Emi Vantyghem | Student
After moving into a new apartment. BFF’s (bimbo friends forever), Brittney and Brittknee start unpacking their totally fabulous belongings. Little do they know someone is already living in their crib!
Tina
14 mins
Dir. Laura Sweeney | Short
Our new short film TINA is a heartfelt, story about two people who knew each other back when and are surprised to meet up again. We think viewers will absolutely relate, especially if they’ve ever encountered someone from their past who influenced them at a key juncture in their life, or if they’ve gone searching online for an old friend, teacher, boss, whoever…and been surprised by how much they’ve both changed!
Truth Detector
6 mins
Dir. William Reliford | Animation
A high school science teacher finds a device that changes his life forever.
Ukraine, Ukraine (Half The World Away)
4 mins
Dir. Christine E. Whitten | Music Video
Music video protesting the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Featuring an original song with the same title.
In 2003, a low-level cannabis case would end Weldon Angelos’ budding and promising career in the music industry. But it would also give birth to a national movement to reform our country’s criminal justice system, uniting far right conservatives like billionaire Charles Koch and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) with liberals such as Senator Corey Booker, Van Jones and musicians Alicia Keys, and Snoop Dogg.
Unlikely Allies
1 hr 37 mins
Dir. Anthony Pedone | Documentary
What We Find on the Road
1 hr 33 mins
Dir. Chaysen Beacham | Feature
On his 18th birthday, TJ receives a key from his estranged ex con father. The key unlocks a timeworn ’68 convertible and a challenge to drive across America - in hopes of repairing his sense of family. Supported by a band of loveable oddballs and held together by humor and grit, TJ discovers that sometimes the longest road is the fastest way to home.
Within the Crystal Hills
9 mins
Dir. Griffin "The" Hansen | Animation
An iron worker named Sawyer ventures into the White Mountains to bring his beloved Carrigain a precious diamond.
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