Runde Auto Group: The Driving Force Behind Dubuque’s Film Festival!

Dubuque’s Film Festival is just a couple weeks away!

We are proud to say that Runde Auto Group has been a major sponsor from the start of the festival back in 2012.

More than 35 films will be screened Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26.

Venues include Stan’s Coffeehouse, Vinny Vannuchi’s, Holiday Inn Rooms 1, 2, and 3, Five Flags Orpheum, Five Flags Majestic, Dubuque Museum of Art, National Mississippi River Museum, Eronel, and Platinum Insurance.

There will be fewer films and venues than there were in previous years – a decision that first-year executive director Susan Gorrell said will improve the festival experience, making it easier for attendees to plan a festival viewing schedule.

Susan Gorrell

Another major change in this year’s festival regards ticketing. Rather than purchasing a ticket for a specific showing of a certain film, this year’s attendees may purchase general tickets for any film. They also have the choice of buying a day or weekend pass.

“This year, a ticket is a ticket,” Gorrell said. “You can buy five tickets, and then go to any five films at any time. This makes it more flexible for attendees.”

Tickets for events and film screenings are all on sale now at www.julienfilmfest.com.

This year, Runde Auto Group is sponsoring a free festival day on Thursday, April 23. All film screenings that day, along with the Opening Night event (7 p.m. at Five Flags), and the screening of Louie Psihoyos’ film “Racing Extinction” at Mindframe Theaters will be free. Psihoyos will host a question-and-answer session following his film.

For a guaranteed seat, please visit www.julienfilmfest.com to RSVP for your free ticket.  Otherwise, first come, first serve. 

The Dubuque’s Film Festival guest bands such as BEATLEMANIA, TR3N, Di Sheldon, and FUSION, and comedians including Rell Battle, Andy Sipes, and Guy Hutchison.

Actress Kate Mulgrew, who was the honorary chair of the inaugural festival in 2011, will introduce the Silent Film Showcase on Friday, April 24. She also will host a book signing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, in the Grand Ballroom at Hotel Julien.

More than 400 films from over 50 countries were submitted this year, nearly doubling last year’s submissions. 

“We have been blown away by the quality of the films that are submitted each year,” Gorrell said. “We are so excited to have these films screening as part of Dubuque’s Film Festival and to host filmmakers from all over the world.”

For continuously updated information, visit www.julienfilmfest.com.

THE SCHEDULE

**A Festival Sneak Peek will be hosted by the Galena Center for the Arts on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 21-21. They will show a feature and two shorts each night.
**Festival film screenings will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Thursday, April 23:
7 p.m.: Opening Night Event at Five Flags Theater

Guests will be able to meet filmmakers, celebrity guests, and jurors, as well as see film trailers.

Nenad Bach

The MC will be Andy Sipes, writer/producer of Triptank, an animated series in its second season on Comedy Central.

There will be a musical performance by Croation composer Nenad Bach with Caroline Curtis, of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, as well as a Michael Jackson medley with Curtis on violin. Bach, who visited Dubuque last year with his documentary “Everything is Forever,” will perform a song he wrote about Dubuque. He has performed with artists like Bono & The Edge, Vince Welnick of Grateful Dead, Luciano Pavarotti, and more.

An after party will be at the Riverboat Lounge at Hotel Julien with entertainment by pop/rock/latin band TR3N.

Friday, April 24:
7 p.m.: Silent Film Showcase at Five Flags Theater

Courtesy of Ron Tigges, Digital Dubuque

The event will feature “The Kid Brother” by Harold Lloyd. The film was played during the first Silent Film Showcase, and is back by popular demand! The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra will perform the original score under Maestro Rob Tomaro, conductor of the Beloit Janesville Symphony.

Opening comments will be made by actress and Screen Actors Guild award winner Kate Mulgrew (Orange is the New Black). Tickets are $25.

An after party will be at Eronel ($10 cover charge). It will feature a live show of the podcast “Drunk On Disney,” with comedians Guy Hutchison, Zak Knutson, and Andy Sipes. Two Disney specialty drinks (1 free with admittance) will be crafted.

More than $35,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to winning filmmakers in categories including:

Courtesy of Ron Tigges, Digital Dubuque

Grand Jury, Best Documentary, Best Feature, Best Short, and Best of Iowa. 

There will be musical performances by BEATLEMANIA, pop/rock/latin band TR3N, Di Sheldon, and pop artist FUSION. The event is hosted by Los Angeles comedian Rell Battle.

An after party will follow at Five Flags Arena with entertainment by BEATLEMANIA. Tickets are $45.

Courtesy of General Bob Photography

3 p.m.: Screening of the short “A Proper Pint” at Five Flags

4 p.m.: Special Screening of “The O’Briens” with cast in attendance ($10 for the short and Irish film) at Five Flags

6 p.m.: Closing Party for Dubuque’s Film Festival will be at Stone Cliff Winery. The event is free and no ticket is required.