Ottumwa International Film Festival
Welcome to the Ottumwa International Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of cinema held at the stunning Bridge View Center theater on March 21 and 22, 2025. Over the course of two days, we will showcase an eclectic mix of short and feature films from a diverse array of categories, promising to captivate audiences with a rich tapestry of storytelling.
Our festival is dedicated to highlighting the creativity and passion of filmmakers from around the globe. We take pride in curating a program that includes thought-provoking dramas, riveting documentaries, heartwarming comedies, and groundbreaking experimental films. Each screening offers a unique glimpse into different cultures, perspectives, and artistic visions.
In addition to the screenings, we will host engaging Q&A sessions with filmmakers, providing an intimate platform for attendees to delve deeper into the creative processes behind the films.
To honor the outstanding achievements in filmmaking, we will present awards in various categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Audience Choice, and more. These accolades celebrate the innovation, talent, and dedication that drive the art of cinema forward.
Join us at the Ottumwa International Film Festival for two unforgettable days of cinematic discovery and community. Whether you're a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply curious, we invite you to immerse yourself in the magic of the movies and the spirit of storytelling.
SCHEDULE
Friday, March 21: 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Saturday, March 22: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM HERE
OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!!
Key Grip Sponsors: Southern Iowa Mental Health Center and ITC Midwest
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP FORM
OFFICIAL FILM SELECTIONS
Before The Party - 00:14:17 - United States - EP Cho - LGBTQIA+, Drama
A weekend getaway turns into an emotional battleground when Jay, struggling to come to terms with his bisexuality, faces the repercussions of his honesty with his girlfriend Julie, as their friends' own biases and misunderstandings come to light.
The Call of the Road - 00:34:02 - United States - Josh Law - Documentary
This Only Co. Original docuseries features Ryan Bros. Trucking – a multi-generation family of truck drivers from Thermopolis, Wyoming. You’ll see what it looks like to take pride in your work, carry on a legacy, and operate a business that makes a community proud.
Chase - 00:15:13 - United States - Lilah Pearl Skaar, Anthony Syracuse - Comedy, Iowa Film
A guy tries to walk a dog.
Colors - 00:07:32 - United States - Lily Morrissey - Animation, Student, Iowa Film
Jem, a mermaid born of different colors and abilities than the rest of the mermaid community, navigates her way through life, trying to fit into a place that doesn’t seem to accept her.
Cowboy Boots - 00:12:33 - United States - Eric K Delehoy - LGBTQIA+, Drama
Jack, a gay cowboy from Nebraska, finds anything but the promised land he envisioned when he visits a San Francisco gay club for the first time.
Crimson Archer: A G.I. Joe Fan Film - 01:29:00 - United States - Pierre Doanetto - Drama, Iowa Film
A group of joes to save one of their own from the hands of Cobra. A terrorist organization out to rule the world.
Face To Face: Overcoming Fear With Sharks - 00:45:00 - France - Florian Launette - Documentary
Sharks are the super-predators of the oceans and the terror of the Western world. They are often perceived as bloodthirsty killers. This fear is heightened every time a shark attack hits the headlines. In response, beaches around the world are closed, nets are set up and sharks are systematically slaughtered. Living with sharks seems incompatible with our new lifestyles. Yet one country has made a radically different choice: the Bahamas. This paradise archipelago, which welcomes nearly 7 million visitors every year, has declared́ its waters "shark sanctuaries". How do locals and tourists manage to live with these large predators? Would it be possible to get close to those considered to be man-eaters? To answer this question, photographer Rodolphe Guignard takes us to the heart of shark territory. Accompanied by experts and scientists, he dives right up close to the sharks to capture some surprising interactions. An intense face-to-face encounter that reveals the true face of sharks, the opposite of their sad reputation.
Granite and Marble - 00:10:00 - United States - R. Paul Villaluz - Comedy
A “charmed” young boy races against the clock to win the love and friendship of his angry and cold-hearted adoptive teenage sister before a major Sacramento event concludes or risks being turned back into his true self.
The Great One - 01:16:50 - United States - Russ Babines - Drama
When award-winning sportswriter, Molly O’Brien, receives word that her childhood friend, Danny, has died of cancer, she returns to her hometown in Pittsburgh to attend the funeral. As she visits the many places where she grew up during the early 1970s, Molly remembers those innocent days that were filled with adventure, playing baseball and glorious times with friends she thought would never end. Walking this emotional path, she realizes the importance of selflessness and love, both elements that had faded in her adult life. This family film is about the power of forgiveness and the power of never forgetting those around you. But most of all, it’s a reminder to keep your heart open because sometimes, love lasts a lifetime.
Happy BirthGay - 00:16:00 - Israel - Niv Manzur - LGBTQIA+, Comedy
Mom throws her son a grandiose surprise BirthGay party, celebrating a year of his coming out of the closet.
Killer Poms From Outer Space - 00:08:34 - United States - Kristen Payne - Sci-fi / Fantasy, Iowa Film
Aliens invade a Midwestern town bringing destruction and death wherever they go. They also look like adorable Pomeranians.
Light Painter - 00:38:13 - United States - Eric Smidt - Documentary, Iowa Film
“To control the story, you must first control the light.” Dan McClanahan is a Master of Photography and "Light Painter" offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he creates some of his most Epic images.
Little Persimmon - 00:02:27 - United States - Thy Vo, Ivan Gozali, Yusra Shahid, Florence Young, Noël Wiggins, Tracy Liu - Animation
A determined young girl embarks on a heartfelt quest to honor her late grandfather by tracking down his favorite fruit. Along the way, she’s joined by a few unexpected and extraordinary companions, turning her journey into a magical and unforgettable adventure.
Love & Sugar - 00:03:35 - United States - Thomas C. C Johnson - Documentary, Iowa Film
Love & Sugar (2024) celebrates how Stephen Loveland, renowned Saint Paul, Minnesota ice cream man, purposefully inspires kindness.
Meet Me At The End Of It All - 00:10:00 - United States - Brandon Gale - Drama
Two people discuss what went wrong in their past relationships moments before civilization comes to an end.
Mother River - 00:06:10 - United States - Jeremiah Schuste - Documentary
A look into Devin Brown's journey as she seeks to be the First black female on record to kayak the entire Mississippi River.
My Friend Miles - 01:17:00 - Belgium - Pieter Solta - Drama
A magical fairy tale about a mystic with political gusto, based on real facts. Miles, a particularly playful spirit, lures his friend Solta on a journey from Berlin to Friuli, Picardy and Venice, through his life, through the minefields of identity politics, and through the black hole of our oblivion as to what the world could be. Ultimately, he returns to Ireland, the land of his childhood, where he played marbles during the raw identity war of the troubles. Solta tries to track him down, to figure him out, to picture him. Miles, however, marbles in his pockets, infinity in his fingers, constantly eludes him. A pure cinematographic act of resistance that connects the magical with the political. A film that looks you straight in the eye, the way only a friend can.
Not Just Deliveries - 00:04:52 - United States - Andrew William Paulson - Animation, Comedy, Iowa Film
An anthropomorphic bat works at a retail job, delivering online orders to customers. However, one of his runs to deliver to a customer is severely hindered, racing against the time limit his boss has set him.
Orange - 00:17:00 - United States - Tom Koch, Jake Shipley - Drama
ORANGE tells the recovery story of Lucas, a young firefighter who lost the ability to speak in a pyrotechnic accident. Synopsis: While supervising fireworks, a young firefighter living in New York City suffers an accident that severely damages his jaw and costs him the ability to speak. He is sent to the south of France for treatment from a retired physiotherapist. Together, they explore alternative ways for the young man to express himself. ORANGE is a 17-minute proof of concept short film inspired by the true life experiences of the fifth person in the world to undergo a successful facial graft in 2009 and is a testament to the healing power of creativity, family and brotherhood.
Paper Plates - 01:45:40 - United States - Brian Nguyen - Drama, Iowa Film
Four robbers are stranded in a village credit union after immediately botching a would-be series of bank heists in rural midwest America.
The Post Office - 00:06:38 - United States - Brad Payne - Comedy, Iowa Film
A camera crew follows a mailman on a typical day as he interacts with his unique customers.
Rot - 00:31:19 - United States - Carrsan T. Morrissey - Horror, LGBTQIA+, Iowa Film
A newly-wedded couple's relationship is challenged when one of them contracts a mysterious illness.
Small Town Murders - 00:04:46 - United States - Jace Cheney - Drama, Student, Iowa Film
Step back in time to the 1950s and join best-selling author Hughie Eastwood as he enters into the reserved town of Vindensburg. When a series of mysterious events unfold, including that of an attempted murder, Hughie must unravel the truth before he falls as the next victim.
Smoke《薰》- 00:15:41 - Japan - 李 济帆 - Horror, Student
When the world falls into racial war, Xun and the wanderer seek the creator god to find a way to stop the war.
Stars in the Water - 00:16:22 - United States - Amy Tompkins - Drama
When an awkward and insecure 11yr old girl, who lives in a 90's fantasy world, is invited to her crush's pool party, she must convince her mom to buy her a new swimsuit to win the love of her life. Will she learn that everything she needs to love herself and feel loved is actually in her own backyard? Spoiler alert, this is not a film about first love. It's a film about mother-daughter forever love.
The Tower - 00:22:03 - United States - Carrsan T. Morrissey - Horror, LGBTQIA+, Iowa Film
A seemingly harmless party game leads to a horrifying spiral into madness, violence, and cosmic horror.
Zastava Brothers - 00:21:55 - United States - Pep Stojanovic - Documentary, Iowa Film
Zastava Brothers is a documentary about the cars of former Yugoslavia and a group of immigrants now living in America who transcend their different backgrounds to form a bond over their love for those cars. As night falls on their first ever Sunday drive, they must spring to action when one of the cars begins to smoke.
