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2026 Official Selections
8 Seconds of Thunder
1 hr 30 mins
Dir. Sidd Finch | Documentary
8 Seconds of Thunder chronicles the story of modern-day cowboy Matt Allgood as he pursues his dream of becoming a world champion bull rider. From his Michigan mobile home he chases this lofty goal with unwavering passion while balancing the realities of marriage, fatherhood and a world that looks down on his dream as dangerous and downright insane.
A Touch of Wildness: Sandhill Cranes in America
6 mins
Dir. Joseph Brown | Documentary
This short documentary tells the story of sandhill cranes in America. The film focuses on the natural and social history of cranes and features interviews with prominent crane experts.
Above The trees
Dir. Dayne Whittecar | Documentary
When something inhuman follows her home through the woods, Vera Landen calls the only voice she can reach — a late night radio host who decides her terror makes better entertainment than emergency. A short suspense film about what lurks in the dark, and those who hear the screaming and choose to do nothing, or worse.
9 mins
All the Men I Met But Never Dated
11 mins
Dir. Muneeb Hassan | Short
A young Asian man grapples with his emotions, concealing his homosexuality to safeguard his family at his own expense.
American Death Trip
30 mins
Dir. Ken Brosky | Documentary
An examination of America's obsession with hurting itself, told through a series of news articles and dark, satirical imagery.
Art is Work
23 mins
Dir. Stacy Barton | Iowa Made
Summer 2025 commemorates 25-years of the Metro Arts Apprenticeship Program, who has hired over 1500 young artists over the years to create public art projects for 5-weeks each summer under the mentorship of professional lead artists. This year, three murals were created and a documentary film that explores the history, artwork, and artists produced by the program.
Body of Work
25 mins
Dir. Cassidy Rast & Odin Wadleigh | Documentary
Introducing Eric Anfinson whose life-changing high school spinal cord injury redirected his life into an extraordinary journey of recovery, self-discovery, and creating a body of work of over 700 paintings. Told through 16mm, cinematic recreations, intimate interviews, and archival footage.
Breath by Breath: Living With Cystic Fibrosis
25 mins
Dir. Liz Martin, Kyle Sleichter, Maximilian von Gries, Jared Williams | Documentary
A documentary film about how research and collaboration at Iowa changed our understanding of cystic fibrosis — and changed the lives of patients.
Crime & Parody
1 hr 27 mins
Dir. Will Thwaites | Documentary
Nearly a decade before Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert came under attack for their political humor, an unknown comedian from Ohio finds himself in even more serious trouble for making fun of the government.
Detour
19 mins
Dir. Demian Alan Mancino | Short
Detour is a tense, emotional drama about a young woman trapped in the shadows of abuse while working at a high-pressure corporate job. She hides the truth behind polite smiles and late nights, but her friends begin to notice cracks in her carefully built façade. As her boss piles on pressure and hostility, the walls close in, leaving her questioning if she’ll ever find a way out—or if the road she’s on will end in ruin.
Dryland
9 mins
Dir. Marissa Vonn | Iowa Made
Dennie, a swim coach grappling with PTSD and struggling to connect with her team, must overcome her biggest trigger as the team dives into their crucial first meet of the season.
Ever Green & The F***ing
Spectrum
15 mins
Dir. Peter Kangas | Short
Paul, a young autistic man, struggles to process his father's terminal cancer diagnosis while haunted by Ever Green—a character from a Hollywood autism film he despises. Through therapy sessions and painful memories, Paul confronts his grief, his strained relationship with his father, and society's stereotypical portrayals of autism. A raw exploration of neurodiversity, family dysfunction, and the Hollywood gaze on disability.
Expectations
6 mins
Dir. Grace Kobriger | Local
During a late-night study session, two college girls unlock an ancient curse that pulls them into a dark parallel dimension. Hunted by creatures that advance only when unseen, they must find a way back before the darkness claims them forever.
Free Syria: Syria’s Economic Renewal
16 mins
Dir. Adam Weinberg | Documentary
After more than half a century of brutality and economic devastation under the Assad dictatorship, Syria emerges into an uncertain new era. Syrian-American entrepreneur Mazen Derawan makes an emotional return to Damascus in the immediate aftermath of the regime’s collapse, confronting a homeland both freed and fractured.
Giving Back Breath
20 mins
Dir. Chad Cohen | Documentary
A poet on his deathbed.A disease that refused to explain itself. And a scientist who spent decades chasing the question at the center of the disorder. Answering it took obsession, failure and faith that the next experiment might finally matter.
Intoxicated Rain
1 hr 27 mins
Dir. Miles O’Neil | Feature
Along the Western shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee, lies the small town of Port Washington, Wisconsin where two old fishermen recover the curious isolated remains of a human face.
It Came to Earth
21 mins
Dir. Brennan Pivnicka | Iowa Made
The crew of a remote radar station are threatened by a deadly creature from another planet.
It’s Nice to Finally Meet You
14 mins
Dir. Kate Compton | Short
IT’S NICE TO FINALLY MEET YOU follows Hannah, a woman who is feeling anxious about meeting the parents. She feels like a failure in every aspect of her life, but she desperately wants to be accepted by this new family. It takes every ounce of courage for her to get to the front door. When she finally does, a surprise is in store for everyone involved. This film is a story about resilience and the power of gifts.
Kamal's
1 hr 12 mins
Dir. Nich L Perez | Iowa Madę
In rural Iowa, a Muslim chef and his Catholic wife fuse their cultures in the kitchen and beyond, serving dishes that blend Middle Eastern tradition with Midwestern bounty. But their greatest recipe is for belonging, as they build a community where everyone has a seat at the table.
Las Cosas Que Brillan
11 mins
Dir. Kristal Sotomayor | Short
A curious trans mermaid defies her mother’s warnings to venture up to the surface, only to discover the world above is not what she dreamt. Las Cosas Que Brillan explores the impacts of environmental destruction, and the danger of being desired in a postcolonial world.
Lessons for an American Protest
50 mins
Dir. Shouri Gomatham | Student
A disillusioned student protestor searches for hope in rural Missouri where his hero, anti-war activist John Tinker, has continued his fight, decades after his landmark 1960s Supreme Court victory for free speech — Tinker v. Des Moines — defined student rights for a generation. Today, John and a fierce community of senior activists challenge political discourse and racism in their town with the help of a hyperlocal radio station and volunteer church groups. As students once again face growing hostility from the establishment, John's community reminds us that protest and solidarity have always been lifelong, locally-driven commitments and devotions.
Littles
44 mins
Dir. Tiffany Ketcham | Iowa Made
Everyone in Janie's life—from the CEO to her husband—is a literal ten-year-old. Trapped in a pint-sized world of big emotions, endless deadlines, and zero logic, she’s ready for a break. She’d give anything just to be… a kid again.
MOMdeszoon: A Mendeszoon Family Story
39 mins
Dir. Tony Moton | Documentary, Iowa Made
“MOMdeszoon: A Mendeszoon Family Story” unfolds over 39 captivating minutes, echoing the spirit of ESPN's beloved "30 for 30" series. This poignant documentary chronicles the lives of Kris Mendeszoon and her family during the 2024 Iowa State University football season, a time when her senior twins, Marijke and Myles, find their paths converging on the gridiron for one final chapter.
My Adoring Husband
9 mins
Dir. Tyson Stock | Short
An adored but constrained wife considers her options to break free of her supposedly charmed life.
My Dear Watson
12 mins
Dir. Jacob McKee | Student
When he receives a mysterious love note, a teenage Sherlock Holmes must step outside of his comfort zone in order to uncover the identity of his secret admirer.
Opera Houses of Iowa
15 mins
Dir. Eddie Arruza | Documentary
Between the mid-1800s and the early 20th century, an estimated 1500 opera houses were built in Iowa in towns of every size. The buildings often had multiple uses with spaces for stores, a community gathering area, and, as the name suggests, an auditorium where a wide range of entertainment could take place in an era when strict moral standards oversaw all aspects of society. In the 21st century, only about 300 of these buildings are still standing. Only a few have been restored to something approximating their original look. Some others are waiting, most likely in vain, for a renaissance of their own.
Pocket Change
15 mins
Dir. Tanner Mobley & Heston Roewe | Short
When the power goes out at a roadside diner in the middle of nowhere, a mysterious drifter and his seemingly worthless quarter hold the key to saving everyone from a deadly threat.
Prodigy
3 mins
Dir. Frank Marino Boyd | Local
A teenage boy is struggling with his father's plan for his successor.
Raya Among The Clouds
20 mins
Dir. Ian Nicole Artillaga | Short
Set in 2005, follows third-grader Raya Carpio as she struggles with stage fright and societal judgment during a school family showcase. When questions arise about her unconventional family, Raya hesitates to invite her mother, Sabel, to an upcoming Family Day. With the help of her friend Makoy, Raya sends heartfelt messages via paper airplanes, hoping to bridge their emotional gap. Though the plan falters, a heartfelt trip brings mother and daughter closer, revealing the depth of their bond. This poignant tale celebrates acceptance, resilience, and the enduring love between parent and child.
Reunion
1 hr 28 mins
Dir. John W. Kim | Feature
A despondent Asian American funeral home worker, goes to his high school reunion with hopes of jump starting his bleak existence, only to be mistaken for the most successful alumnus of the wrong school, a mysterious Asian graduate whom no one has seen in twenty years. What this misidentification sets in motion is a comic farce and a modern twist on the classic Cinderella tale.
Ride Scare
19 mins
Dir. Thomas Tulak | Short
After a night of drinking at a gender reveal party, Sarah calls an Uber. Everything seems normal until the first stop where a chainsaw wielding stranger gets in the car. Her driver reveals she chose ride share and can't avoid picking up some shady characters.
Serenity
23 mins
Dir. Frank Tremblay | Short
A funeral home employee must put her own personal struggles aside to help a grieving woman who just lost her daughter.
SHIFT
21 mins
Dir. Sisi Liu | Short
When idealistic rookie cop Ethan Hart is paired with jaded officer Riley Dawson, their opposing philosophies about control and accountability surface on patrol. What begins as routine duty gradually exposes deeper fault lines between them, culminating in a shift that reshapes Ethan's understanding of power, responsibility, and the cost of wearing the badge.
Silly Little Wounds
1 hr 42 mins
Dir. Vanessa Magowan Horrocks Powers | Feature
When Park River High School's drama director passes away, six former theater students gather in their home town for his funeral. With the pressures of marriage, kids, and careers set aside for the weekend, the once tight-knit group finds themselves falling into old patterns.
Small Town Girl
1 hr 25 mins
Dir. Bill Cooper | Feature
In a small Midwestern town in 1973, the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl unravels buried secrets, forcing an unlikely local to confront disturbing truths and implicate two suspects, only for an unexpected twist to shock the community years later.
Sum Function
1 hr 30 mins
Dir. Noah Currier | Documentary
A group of friends, each impaired in all four limbs, confront battles more personal than war itself on and off the wheelchair-rugby court. Struggling to find purpose in the aftermath of tragedy, unexpected turns entrench them in fights for survival, connection, and access in a world not built for them. This hard-hitting story unravels into something far less predictable than the scoreboard — and proves that the human spirit never takes a seat.
Surviving the Spectrum: The Making of Ever Green
10 mins
Dir. Peter Kangas | Documentary
This is a behind the scenes look of the upcoming Proof of Concept Short Film, Ever Green & The F***ing. Spectrum. A raw exploration of neurodiversity, family dysfunction, and the Hollywood gaze on disability with a fully inclusive crew.
The Collins Story – The Internet Connection
1 hr
Dir. Annette Juergens Busbee | Documentary
It's very likely that you are one of over five billion people using the internet on nearly 20 billion devices to shop, stream, research and communicate. But how many of us are aware of the technologies and people that made these connections possible? This film explores the stories of brilliant engineers and groundbreaking mobile technologies from Collins Radio, headquartered in Iowa, that helped shape the foundations of the modern internet.
The Deal
29 mins
Dir. Ksiah Troy Wansley, Zac Augustus Cox | Student
A cautious young woman is dragged into a reckless party night by her thrill-seeking friend, only to find herself entangled in a violent underworld deal that tests loyalty, trust, and the illusion of safety.
The Good Neighbor
15 mins
Dir. Kate Spaleton | Documentary
A cowboy doctor has spent a lifetime paying house calls to the Old Order Amish community in Southwestern Wisconsin- but what will they do when he dies? His solution to the problem is an inventive use of R.N. nurses to serve a unique rural population with a need for medical care.
The Harvester
19 mins
Dir. Luke J Bell | Local
Mike, Amber and Janet have a fateful encounter with Alex, a worker from a haunted hike.
The Journeying
41 mins
Dir. Chris Ward & Josh Dragge | Documentary
On a multi-day stand-up paddle-board journey to his childhood home in Iowa, a Colorado father and four friends confront the humor, hardship, and uncertainty of middle age.
The Oldest
10 mins
Dir. Cathlin McCullough | Short/Iowa
12-year-old Kate longs to escape her lonely reality as the oldest of 5 under the shadow of her father's addiction in this coming-of-age story set in late 80s rural Iowa. “The Oldest” focuses on the inner life of a girl forced to grow up too fast and highlights the gulf of difference between the heaviness of home life and the freedom of just being a kid.
The Pretender
25 mins
Dir. Seth Cousin | Short
The Pretender follows Phoebe Smalls, a young woman and not-so free spirit stuck in a dead-end office job. She knows she's destined for more, but also recognizes that her job provides her a steady income, insurance, and stability, making it difficult to leave. When given the responsibility of delivering the files of a high profile celebrity, she sees it as an opportunity to finally climb up the corporate ladder. But will this obstacle ridden journey she's sent on build her up or break her down?
Too Perfect
13 mins
Dir. Andy Pratt | Short
Too spineless to break up with his ridiculously gorgeous, devoted girlfriend, a man decides to kill her with the help of his best friend, but confusion and disaster ensue.
Track Guy Movie
1 hr 5 mins
Dir. Andrew Snyder | Documentary
For over 30 years, Mike Jay’s voice has echoed through track and field stadiums across Iowa and the United States, from the Iowa High School State Meet to the Drake Relays and beyond. But his impact goes far beyond the mic. Through the Track Guy Foundation, Mike, his family, and foundation supporters have helped advance the sports of track and field and cross country by supporting athletes and building community across the state.
Urban Mining
23 mins
Dir. Eric Smidt | Iowa
Urban Mining highlights how Midwestern innovation is tackling a global challenge by transforming discarded electronics into a domestic source of rare earth elements. By recovering critical materials from electronic waste, the film highlights efforts to strengthen America’s supply chain for strategically important technologies, energy systems, and national defense.
Wallace Rd
34 mins
Dir. Rob Yanike | Short
On a stalled West Salem morning, four people face moments that push an ordinary day off course—from a failed haircut to a risky act of kindness. As traffic stops, their choices collide with consequences no one expects.
What You Need
4 mins
Dir. Cael Edward Thao | Student
A man tries to go through his day while his phone beckons for him.
When Maharishi Came to Town
1 hr 15 mins
Dir. Dick De Angelis | Documentary/Iowa
"When Maharishi Came to Town" tells the story of how Maharishi International University came from California to Fairfield, Iowa. Even though some local residents saw it as a novel stopgap measure, today over 50 years later, Maharishi International University, the "TM University”, is now an integral part of this traditional Iowa town. But it's been a heck of a ride.
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