MIFF is intended to be a showcase of Short Films and is designed to encourage and acknowledge the creative efforts involved with respect to this genre. We are a relatively smaller festival (growing each year), so we are able to accept a large portion of entries that get submitted, while keeping our costs down through sponsorships, community support, and efficient budgeting.
New this year, we are including a "Best Music Video" showcase that will be a part of the entertainment for the Awards Ceremony. MIFF is very musically orientated film festival, as we feel that sound plays a vital role in storytelling and emotional communciation. Music and the artists that make it, will be a large part of the 2020 MIFF experience. We are currently planning a short-format rock opera to be including during the after-party.
A unique feature of our festival is the "Micro-Short" Category. Telling a story in under 4 minutes is no easy task, but sometimes more is indeed less.
The infamous "M&M AWARD" (Murder, Mayhem, and More) category is always a hit on Friday nights. This film block will NOT be family friendly due to some adult content... but that isn't always a bad thing.
The screenings occur in the newly upgraded Black Box Theater on the MCC Campus. The after-parties and awards occur in downtown Muscatine, where we provide great opportunities to network at the River's Edge Event Loft. The awards venue is the perfect setting for the climax of this event. We stock up the VIP room and provide entertainment to make sure your participation in MIFF was well worth the trip.
MIFF is very supportive of local/regional artists, as evidenced by the BEST IOWA MADE AWARD. It is hoped that providing an awards venue will inspire their creativity and innovative artistic media. This event is also an effort to provide Midwest residents and visiting artists with an engaging weekend of entertainment.
If you can't make it to the festival, you will be happy to know that we award a BEST OF SHOW laurel/designation that aspires not to discriminate between films with or without filmmakers in attendance. We don't mail you a trophy, but you do get a prestigious accolade to add to your credentials, along with a captive audience of filmmakers and enthusiasts that will appreciate your efforts.
Accepted filmmakers who attend will receive passes that include free admission to all film blocks, the VIP ROOM, and the red carpet/after-parties, along with a souvenir t-shirt. The after-parties are going to be 'Inspiring', and visiting Muscatine will be a unique chance to experience the charm of a Midwest River Town. Also, consdidering you can stay the night in the same building as the festival, you will really want to consider making it an overnighter in Iowa.
Visit our website for additional information and photos: www.MuscatineFilmFest.com.
Best Short Film - ("Grand Jury Prize" - Must be present to win)
Best Short Film ("Best of Show" - Regional/National/International Films)
Best Music Video
Best Micro-Short Film (Under 4 Minutes)
Best Iowa Made Short Film
Best Local Film
Best Student Film
Best Sci-Fi (Experimental)
Best Comedy
Murder/Mayhem (The Infamous "M&M Award")
Viewer's Choice
Distinctive Achievement Certificates:
(Categories may include Cinematography, Music/Sound Design, Soundtrack, Screenplay, Iowa Film Making/Acting , 1st Time Filmmaker, & Student Film Making.)