News

Check out the article by The Gazette on the 2023 Film Festival.

This year, the festival is excited to announce that Los Angeles-based finance, production, and sales company, EST Studios, will be taking center stage with a lineup of exciting events that are free and open to the public.

Get ready to experience the cinematic event of the year! The 12th Annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is back and better than ever, showcasing the boldest and most innovative independent films and filmmakers from across the globe.

You couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous afternoon on Saturday, April 23rd. Despite strong winds, it was a tolerable compromise for some 80 degree temperatures. Restaurants in Downtown Dubuque were jammed. Folks were congregating on outdoor patios. And the love of movies was nigh as Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) was in day four of five.

Julien Dubuque International Film Festival was named one of the ‘50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.’

Check out this article from BroadwayWorld.com on the 11th annual film festival.

JDIFF alum, VINYL NATION, has been picked up for distribution by 1091 Pictures (home to other great music documentaries like Linda Rondstadt: The Sound of My Voice and Bluebird) and will be released digitally on Tuesday, April 19, right before Record Store Day (April 23).

Julien Dubuque International Film Festival alum, Brenden Hubbard, produced the newly released podcast ‘American Hostage’ voiced by Jon Hamm.

As the famous backdrop of the Field of Dreams movie, Dubuque is also becoming known as the destination for independent filmmakers and film enthusiasts from around the world. The producers of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival announce this year’s Festival dates are confirmed for April 20th - 24th, 2022.

The department today announced that 118 arts and cultural groups, including JDIFF, in 47 Iowa communities will receive funding through the Iowa Arts & Culture Marketing Grant program. The department awarded a total of $1 million in grants, in amounts ranging from $1,500 to $18,000.

From Council Bluffs to Davenport and Mason City to Centerville, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced it is awarding more than $1.5 million in grants for the return of the state’s arts, culture, history and creative sector by supporting arts and cultural jobs and programming in the humanities - with JDIFF receiving $15,000.

Learn more about what is new for the 2022 festival and submissions.

JDIFF film alum, RWANDA, is now available for streaming on the popular platform, Amazon Prime. This film was featured at the 2019 film festival and won the McNamer Award for Best Use of Music.

Independent film producers long used to raising money for movies they believe in report they are mostly underpaid, stressed and face an uncertain future, as the industry stands today.

Non-profit From the Heart Productions has established a Documentarian Emergency Relief Fund for documentary producers and directors facing “dire financial emergencies” during these difficult economic times brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Spring 2021 is now open for submissions. Since 1992, the Roy W. Dean Film Grants have supported independent filmmakers by awarding funding to unique films that make a contribution to society. From the Heart Productions, the non-profit sponsoring the grant, is proud to have helped talented filmmakers complete films that impacted people’s lives and to have seen many of those filmmakers go on to have great filmmaking careers.

If there’s one thing the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival has mastered, it’s the art of connection. Not just networking, but genuine small-town, Iowa-nice, hugs-not-handshakes relationship building.