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FILM GUIDE

F: Family Suitable for all ages M: Mature Contains mature themes & strong language

ALEX / OCTOBER Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 81 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: JOSH HOPE CAST: BRAD HUNT, ETHAN CUTKOSKY, TARA SHAYNE Living another lonely Chicago winter, Alex (Brad Hunt), reaches the end of his rope and places a bizarre ad. October (Tara Shayne), with a morbid curiosity and on her own downward spiral with her best friend, Josh (Ethan Cutkosky), answers the call, sending their lives on an unexpected course of hope.

AROUND ROBIN Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 77 MIN / GA / CANADA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: PETER MEECH CAST: TORRANCE COOMBS, ANN PIRVU, CLEMENTINE NICHOLSON A young celebrity receives a letter from a mysterious stalker and develops catalepsy, a condition that paralyzes her whenever she feels threatened. As more letters arrive, suspicion falls on members of her inner circle, all of whom are dangerously obsessed with her.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF CANADA

ATTIC TRUNK Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 79 MIN / M / CANADA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: RAUGI YU CAST: ANDREW MCNEE, JOSETTE JORGE On the day of his sister’s funeral, a woman from Jason’s past re-enters his life, forcing him to question his choices and the future of his family. In an independent drama starring Andrew McNee (ADVENTURES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL), Josette Jorge (SCHITT’S CREEK), Gabrielle Rose (THE SWEET HEREAFTER), Jay Brazeau (WATCHMEN) and Colleen Wheeler (TULLY), Jason watches his family in the midst of grief and searching for a way to move forward. Directed by Raugi Yu and an original score by Torquil Campbell (STARS), we witness a day in a life of a family deep in crisis but filled with love.

SPONSORED BY JOHN B DONOVAN

BRING OUT THE FEAR Iowa Premiere HORROR / 73 MIN / M / IRELAND / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: RICHARD WATERS CAST: CIARA BAILEY, TAD MORARI A couple in a doomed relationship can’t escape the forest they entered for one last walk. Paths lead nowhere, the trees never end, the sun never sets and a sinister presence is stalking and tormenting them, trying to drive them insane…

CHARCOAL SKIES World Premiere DRAMA / 101 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: BILL COOPER CAST: BRAXTON THALBER, EMILY PORTER, MARK ANTHONY When a reclusive, artistic eleven year-old boy ventures from the solace of his bedroom, he experiences more than he bargained for. His difficult, single mother struggles being a parent but finds a meaningful connection in an unexpected place.

DEALING WITH DAD Iowa Premiere COMEDY / 105 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: TOM HUANGE CAST: ALLY MAKI, HAYDEN SZETO, PETER KIM Margaret Chang reluctantly returns to her hometown, along with her hapless brothers, to deal with the sudden depression of their complete-jerk father, whom everyone happens to hate. In fact, he’s more pleasant being depressed. The siblings struggle with whether it’s worth struggling to get him better or just leave things be. In the meantime, their forced time together allows them to reconnect as a family, reminisce about the bad times with Dad and maybe even help each other out in the process.

GA: General Audience Suitable for most audiences. May contain adult situations/language

DISFLUENCY Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 100 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: ANNA BAUMGARTEN CAST: LIBE BARER, ARIELA BARERE, CHELSEA ALDEN, DYLAN ARNOLD, TRAVIS TOPE, RICKY WAYNE After failing her final college class, Jane returns home to her family’s lake house and, with the help of her friends and family, comes to terms with the confusing trauma that derailed her senior year.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF CANADA SPONSORED BY WAGNER ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE

THE FAMILY Iowa Premiere HORROR / 104 MIN / M / CANADA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: DAN SLATER CAST: NIGEL BENNETT, BENJAMIN CHARLES WATSON, JENNA WARREN Raised to fear what lurks beyond the borders of their farm, a young family must free themselves from the tyrannical rule of their merciless father and mother.

SPONSORED BY ERIC AND LINDA LUCY BEST FEATURE NOMINEE

FREEDOM’S PATH Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 133 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: BRETT SMITH CAST: GERRAN HOWELL, RJ CYLER, EWEN BREMNER GLORY meets DANCES WITH WOLVES in this film depicting a unique friendship between a soldier and runaway slave, centering in and around the Underground Railroad.

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F: Family Suitable for all ages M: Mature Contains mature themes & strong language

HIM + HER Iowa Premiere ROMANCE / 97 MIN / GA / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: ICE MROZEK CAST: CALLAN MCAULIFFE, CRISTINA SPRUELL Crossed phone lines in 1989 lead to a life-changing conversation between two strangers who eventually meet in an unusual way.

SPONSORED BY DR. RANDY AND KELLY LENGELING

IMORDECAI Iowa Premiere COMEDY / 112 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: MARVIN SAMEL CAST: JUDD HIRSCH, CAROL KANE, SEAN ASTIN, AZIA HALE, STEPHANIE J BLOCK iMORDECAi is based on the true story of Mordecai Samel, a Holocaust survivor. He was born and raised in a very different time, but must now face the realities of the modern world in sunny Florida. When confronted with an unfamiliar object—an iPhone—will Mordecai be able to fit into a world that has changed so much around him?

THE ISLAND OF LOST GIRLS World Premiere FAMILY, MYSTERY / 103 MIN / F / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: ANN-MARIE SCHMIDT CAST: AVILA SCHMIDT, AUTUMN SCHMIDT, SCARLET SCHMIDT Three young sisters get stranded in a sea cave full of sea lions and elephant seals.

JACK USA Premiere COMEDY / 82 MIN / M / UNITED KINGDOM / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: PELAYO DE LARIO CAST: LUKE ROLLASON, ANGELA SANT ALBANO, LUIS MOTTOLA In this crazy, SUPERBAD-style comedy, we follow the adventures of Charlie in the search for true love, helped by the advice of his heavily dysfunctional friends. When Charlie meets Barbie Le Fleur, a Canadian transfer student, Jack will do everything in his power to guide his friend in his quest to enchant his dream girl.

JAMSHIDIEH World Premiere DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL / 91 MIN / GA / SUBTITLES / ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN PERSIAN / DIRECTOR: YALDA JEBEELI / CAST: SARA BAHRAMI, HAMED KOMEILI A woman wants to take the blame for a killing in a street fight involving her husband. There is no evidence but her confession. If she says nothing, there is no case.

BEST FEATURE NOMINEE

KARMALINK Iowa Premiere INTERNATIONAL, SCI-FI / 102 MIN / GA / SUBTITLES / CAMBODIA CENTRAL KHMER, ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: JAKE WACHTEL CAST: SREY LEAK CHHITH, LENG HENG PRAK, SAHAJAK BOONTHANAKIT In near-future Phnom Penh, a teenage boy teams up with a street-smart girl from his neighborhood to untangle the mystery of his past-life dreams. What begins as a hunt for a Buddhist treasure soon leads to greater discoveries that will either end in digital enlightenment or a total loss of identity.

GA: General Audience Suitable for most audiences. May contain adult situations/language

SPONSORED BY SHARON KUTTLER

LOREN & ROSE Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 82 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: RUSSELL BROWN CAST: JACQUELINE BISSET, KELLY BLATZ, PAUL SAND A single meal frames this three-act story of the indelible bond between Loren, a promising filmmaker, and Rose, a storied actress looking to reinvigorate her career. From a lunch meeting to discuss a possible collaboration grows a years-long friendship between two people whose love of art, understanding of grief and faith in life’s potential guide them through personal and creative hardships. Kelly Blatz and Jacqueline Bisset star with a chemistry that is at once authentic and intoxicating.

THE MIRROR GAME Iowa Premiere DRAMA, COMEDY / 87 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: WILLIAM J. STRIBLING CAST: TEYA PATT, MICHAEL TENNANT, KENNY RIDWAN Two old friends. One big ask. Filmed covertly (and safely) over four nights in a Las Vegas hotel room during the global pandemic, THE MIRROR GAME is the story of a friendship pushed to its limits. Childhood friends Rose and Abe find themselves in Las Vegas on the same weekend. When Rose asks Abe for a life-changing favor, the evening takes a turn for the unexpected. They spend the night trying to beat the odds.

SPONSORED BY BRIAN AND ANN COOPER BEST FEATURE NOMINEE

MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE, THE DEATH OF MERIWETHER LEWIS World Premiere DRAMA / 114 MIN / GA / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: CLARK RICHEY CAST: JOHN SCHNEIDER, EVAN WILIAMS, AMYE GOUSSET Entangled versions of Meriwether Lewis’ death at a remote Tennessee inn are imagined by his friend Alexander Wilson (Billy Slaughter) during a tense encounter with Priscilla Grinder (Amye Gousset), the only witness to the American explorer’s final night alive. In 1809, Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) died of gunshot wounds at Grinder’s Stand. Did the governor of the Louisiana Territory commit suicide, as history reports, or was his end far more sinister? This mystery/thriller from writer/director Clark Richey brings together an award-winning cast and crew, including John Schneider (DUKES OF HAZZARD), Sonny Marinelli (ENTOURAGE) and Evan Williams (VERSAILLES) as Lewis.

RELATIVE World Premiere DRAMA, COMEDY / 97 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: MICHAEL GLOVER SMITH CAST: WENDY ROBIE, FRANCIS GUINAN, CAMERON SCOTT ROBERTS RELATIVE is a comedy/drama about three days in the life of a modern American family. David and Karen Frank are retirement-age progressives who have lived in Chicago for 40 years. When their youngest son, Benji, graduates from college, their daughters Evonne and Norma return home for a weekend celebration. The oldest son, Rod, an unemployed burnout, still pines for his ex, a “cam girl” who wants no part of the festivities. But when the prospect of selling their beloved family home is broached, each of the Franks finds their bonds with the others being tested—and strengthened.

REMEMBER ME: THE MAHALIA JACKSON STORY Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 82 MIN / GA / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: DENISE DOWSE CAST: LEDISI, COLUMBUS SHORT, JANET HUBERT, KEITH DAVID REMEMBER ME is a biopic on the life of Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, her rise and challenges in the music industry, her unbreakable bond with Dr. Martin Luther King and her dramatic impact on the civil rights movement.

RE-OPENING Iowa Premiere COMEDY / 91 MIN / GA / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: CHRIS GUERRA, MATTHEW JOHN KOPPIN / CAST: CHRIS GUERRA, AMANDA LEHAN, KELSEY COOKE RE-OPENING is a fully-improvised lockdown mockumentary. Follow the cast and crew of a struggling theater (All Voice IS Theater) in Pigeon Valley, Tennessee. Attempting to prepare a production and re-open the theater to the public after months of pandemic lockdown, they encounter setbacks all along the way.

F: Family Suitable for all ages M: Mature Contains mature themes & strong language

SHALLOW WATER World Premiere DRAMA, COMEDY / 88 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: MATTHEW E. ROBINSON CAST: CIARA RENÉE, THOMAS E. SULLIVAN, POPPY LIU Having graduated from college, seven friends celebrate their last moments of freedom at a lake house. As they drink and use drugs, they discuss their aspirations—from becoming doctors and tech entrepreneurs to writers and photographers. Over the subsequent five years, everyone becomes fully immersed in their busy adult lives, dealing with new relationships and new responsibilities. As time passes, their substance abuse and friendships, once fun and carefree, look more dangerous for some, and each person carries secrets they no longer feel comfortable sharing. Ultimately, they must confront the aftermath of their decisions.

SWAMP LION Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 111 MIN / M / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: TORGEN BECH CAST: MICHAEL RAY ESCAMILLA, BRE BLAIR, LUIS BORDONADA After their son is diagnosed with advanced cancer, a trucker driver and supermarket cashier, Jim and Bee, struggle to overcome the mountain of medical bills. In their greatest hour of need, they are forced to come up with $250,000 to cover treatment. During this emotional and financial crisis, Jim decides to traffic drugs across the US-Mexican border. All sense of morality is thrown out of the window, as Jim does whatever it takes to save his only son. This film explores how far a family will go to save their child and the moral decay that follows love and sacrifice.

SWEET DISASTER Iowa Premiere INTERNATIONAL, DRAMA, COMEDY / 90 MIN / M / GERMANY / ENGLISH, FINNISH, GERMAN SUBTITLES / DIRECTOR: LAURA LEHMUS / CAST: FRIEDERIKE KMPTER, FLORIAN LUKAS, LENA URZENDOWSKY SWEET DISASTER tells the story of Frida, 40, a German-Finnish painting therapist. Two events change the course of her life. She gets unexpectedly pregnant and Felix, the father of her child, breaks up with her to reunite with his ex, who has suddenly returned. While Felix admits that it is not the best timing, it does not prevent him from leaving. Frida cannot accept Felix’s decision. Although some serious health problems caused by the late pregnancy force her to rest, she tries to get Felix back through absurd, exaggerated and sometimes absolutely comic actions.

THOSE DARK NIGHTS INTERNATIONAL, DRAMA / 89 MIN / BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA / BOSNIAN / SUBTITLES DIRECTOR: FRANÇOIS LUNEL / CAST: MAJA JURIC, ARMAN LUNEL, MUHAMED HADZOVIC Sarajevo, 1993. Haska is a young mother in love with Elvir, a military commander, but her love for her 8-year-old son Denis is stronger. Haska tries to live a normal life despite living in a warravaged city without water or electricity. After Elvir’s death on the front, she finds his mysterious love note written on a pack of cigarettes. She finally takes Denis and flees the city. Living in a war-free zone, Haska’s emotional and psychological state are put to the test. She decides to return to Sarajevo in search for the truth and meaning to her life.

WE BURN LIKE THIS Iowa Premiere DRAMA / 81 MIN / GA / USA / ENGLISH / DIRECTOR: ALANA WAKSMAN CAST: MADELEINE COGHLAN, DEVERY JACOBS, KENDRA MYLNECHUK When 22-year-old Rae, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is targeted by Neo-Nazis in Billings, Montana, her ancestors’ trauma becomes real. As antisemitism continues to rise in the community, we follow Rae on her journey to forgive herself, her mother, and the broken world. Inspired by true events, this coming-of-age story shows the inherited effects of historical trauma and the strength of survival and healing.