Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival

CRIFF celebrates that  people with ties to Iowa are in the film production industry everywhere. We provide a venue for for these filmmakers to screen their work for peers and general audiences, encourage Iowa independent filmmakers to continue improving their craft, present a unique cultural event to the community, and to offer networking opportunities for local and distant filmmakers.

Every entrant, whether selected or not, is welcome to one COMPLIMENTARY FULL-EVENT TICKET, and has the opportunity to schedule a personal CONVERSATION WITH THE JUDGES, on Sunday April 16. 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. 

Our rules are outlined in great detail on the FilmFreeway page, however there is one rule that sets us apart from any other film festival in the world: the IOWA CONNECTION. A big part of CRIFF is recognizing that people with ties to Iowa are in the production industry everywhere. We're looking for films from anywhere and by anyone, with an Iowa connection of some sort. 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 (past or present, real or fictional). In past years, we've had films submitted from all across the US, and even from other countries. If you don't think your film qualifies, ask around...you just might have an Iowan on set!

In addition to being screened - twice - for our enthusiastic audience, Official Selections are honored with a commemorative T-SHIRT (with your name on the back), your entry featured in promotional statewide media, and advancement into the EDDY AWARDS competition. 

GOLD and SILVER EDDY Awards are presented in Professional, Pro-Am 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. Simply, it is 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 ($1000) is awarded each year to a student filmmaker in order to further the recipient's filmmaking education and career.  

NEW this year is Student Cinema Sunday, a special screening of just student films. Student tickets for this special session are at a greatly reduced rate.