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Julien Dubuque Film Festival Offers Film, Music, and Entertainment

It’s almost here! Each day of the Julien Dubuque Film Festival offers a variety of film, music, and entertainment.

The sixth annual festival, set for April 20-23 in downtown Dubuque, will show films from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (with a few other screenings slated until 10 p.m.), and feature nightly events.  We’ve heard members of the Runde Sales Staff talking about which films they want to see.  Everyone who works here at Runde’s seems excited about this year’s offerings.

“We have a variety of events this year which means people of all ages and interests can find something to do,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the festival. “The events, plus the filmmakers here from all over the world, make this a unique event you don’t want to miss.”

Thursday, April 20Canada country logo with a maple leaf

All films and events on Thursday, April 20 are free, sponsored by Runde Auto Group. Later that day, the Opening Night Event, “Celebrate Canada,” will feature a showing of “The Land of Rock and Gold” in partnership with the Canadian Consulate.

The film starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Five Flags Theater and doors open at 6:30 p.m. An after party, featuring the Ohio-based band The Lovebenders, will start at 9:30 p.m. at the Riverboat Lounge at Hotel Julien. The event is free.

Friday, April 21

the lodger: a store of the london fog movie posterThe Silent Film Showcase, an annual staple at the Julien Dubuque Film Festival, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21 at Five Flags Theater. It will feature Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 film “The Lodger” with live music accompaniment.

“Our Silent Film Showcase is always a popular event,” Gorrell said. “It is such a neat way to feature great music and film together.”

The 1-hour, 8-min long film follows a landlady who suspects her new lodger is the madman killing women in London. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Following the Silent Film Showcase is a Drunk on Disney after party. The event, set for 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Blue Moon Room in the Holiday Inn, will feature Dana Snyder, Adult Swim voiceover actor, and Guy Hutchinson, actor, broadcaster, and owner of a wide variety of Disney archives.

The event will feature a Disney costume contest, a celebrity match game, and a Disney signature cocktail. Admission is $15 (or $10 with a Silent Film ticket).

Saturday, April 22

The festival’s biggest night, Awards Night, will see more than $60,000 in cash and prizes
handed to winners in six categories. The event will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at Five Flags Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Awards Night is hosted by Snyder and Hutchinson and will feature musical performances by Ceili Rain, The Lovebenders, and The Ruby Blonde Band. Tickets are $25, which includes the after party, which immediately follows the awards show in the arena.

Sunday, April 23

mean merle and the pigeon of frizzante park movie posterDon’t leave the little ones at home on Sunday, April 23. The JDIFF Kids Event is from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 at Five Flags Center. There will be music from the Dubuque Fiddlers from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a reading with Hutchinson, author of “Mean Merle and the Pigeon of Frizzante Park” and “Sesame Place,” along with Snyder, who will use his character voices to bring the book to life. A book signing and animated children’s films will follow the reading.

The film festival will come to a close from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 with the Closing Ceremonies at the Novelty Iron Works Event Center, 333 E. 10th St.  The Audience Choice Award will be announced at this free event.

Tickets and a continuously updated schedule of events are available at www.julienfilmfest.com.

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