Julien Dubuque Film Festival Celebrates 5 Years in downtown Dubuque

The fifth annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is right around the corner and Runde Auto Group is proud to be a title sponsor!

Only 115 shorts, features, and documentaries were selected to be shown at this year’s festival, April 21-24 in downtown Dubuque. They were chosen out of more than 625 submissions in a selection process that spanned several months.

“Each film was watched at least 10 times by members of our selection committee,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the festival. “The quality of this year’s entries impressed us all and we are thrilled to show the Official Selections at this year’s festival.”

The films represent more than 60 countries.

This year’s nominees are:
Best Feature: “No Letting Go,” “Halfway,” “Kepler’s Dream”
Best Documentary: “Hang on Sloopy,” “Women Outward Bound,” “Killing Ed”
Best Short I (3-20 min): “11 Years,” “Silent War,” “City Bus”
Best Short II (21-49 min): “Phil’s Camino,” “Pony,” “Le Risque Zero”
Excellence in Cinematography: “Planet Ice,” “A Passion for Gold & Fire,” “No Letting Go”
World Premiere: “CandiLand,” “Black Canaries,” “Killing Ed”
Student Film: “Black Canaries,” “A Private Matter,” “My Claire”

To see information about all Official Selections, visit: http://julienfilmfest.com/films.html

A new addition to this year’s festival is an app to help navigate the event. Download the free Go DBQ app on your Apple or Android device to check it out!

Festival Events:
Thursday, April 21: Runde Auto Group Day. All films are free and do not require a ticket.Films screen 9 a.m. to midnight.

Opening Night is Motown on the Mississippi at the Mississippi Moon Bar in downtown Dubuque. The event will introduce nominees, special guests and festival jurors. Comedians Johnny Cardinale (Chelsea Lately, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Bobby Khan’s Ticket to Hollywood) and Camilla Cleese will keep the mood light. Cleese writes and performs with two sketch groups, “Hersterical,” a part of the Strait Jacket Society, and TMI, a weekly sketch show done by The Second City.

There will also be a performance by The Four Tops, featuring Grammy nominee Ronnie McNeir.  Mr. McNeir was nominated for a Grammy in the Gospel Music category in 1981.

There will be complimentary food and a cash bar in downtown Dubuque. Pre-show music will be provided by Kristina Marie Castañeda and Shawn Healy at 6 p.m., followed by Bobby Bradford and Marywood Kate at 7 p.m.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m.Tickets are $25.

Dengue Fever

Friday, April 22: Films screen 9 a.m. to midnight.

The Silent Film Showcase will feature the band Dengue Fever performing their original soundtrack to the 1925 stop-motion film “The Lost World” at the Grand Opera House.
Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25.

Saturday, April 23: Films screen 9 a.m. to midnight.

The Awards Gala and After Party at Five Flags Theater in downtown Dubuque. More than $40,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Sunday, April 24: Films screen 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JDIFF Kids Series is 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center. Children films will be screening in two rooms and in another conference room there will be interactive booths from organizations like the National Mississippi River Museum, Matter Creative, JDIFF Step and Repeat photo booth, and more. Free for kids under 12, $10 for 13 and up.

Closing ceremonies at the Grand River Center with music by JC Brooks &
The Uptown Sound 5:30- 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10.

To buy tickets, visit www.julienfilmfest.com.