Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival

Our festival started in 2001, as a venue for filmmakers with connections to Iowa to screen their work for peers and general audiences. 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, just with an Iowa connection of some sort. 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!

The organization's mission is to encourage independent filmmakers with Iowa ties to continue improving their craft, provide a venue to specifically showcase their films, present a unique cultural event to the community, grow the Iowa filmmaking industry, and offer opportunities for networking between Iowa-connected filmmakers everywhere.

Our organization presents the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, or CRIFF, the first full non-Easter weekend of April at the Collins Road Theatres, Marion. Entries are open for films from Professional, Pro-Am and Student Filmmakers, with an 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. We tell filmmakers, "if you don't think your film qualifies, ask around...you just might have an Iowan on set!"

CRIFF is completely volunteer-staffed; we have no paid employees. Funding comes primarily via entry fees and ticket sales, as well as private donations and corporate sponsorships. We continually look for opportunities to expand programming both during the festival weekend, as well as additional events throughout the year at venues around the area, and providing an incomparably excellent experience for filmmakers and attendees!