Held among the spectacular rivers and bluffs of the Driftless Region in Northeastern Iowa, the Oneota Film Festival, OFF, brings compelling, innovative, and inspiring films and filmmakers to Decorah, Iowa, from around the globe. Through films that illuminate the human condition, OFF aims to engage a large and diverse audience in the critical issues of our time.
Screenings and discussions take place in the vibrant downtown business district with coffee shops, restaurants, shops, B and B’s, the Hotel Winneshiek, Pulpit Rock Brewery, and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
OFF invites documentary, narrative, animated, and student films for its 17th annual festival March 4-7, 2027. All films submitted will be juried by an international panel of filmmakers and film scholars. Festival events include screenings of films, discussions, and panels with invited filmmakers and local/regional experts; an opening night Gala; Meet the Filmmakers Reception Saturday evening; and special events in conjunction with the Decorah community.
Filmmakers are encouraged to attend the entire festival and all events. Come interact with an educated, involved audience! Please contact director@oneotafilmfestival.org for details.
Awards are offered in each film category, in addition to an Audience Choice award. Oneota Film Festival was initiated by Luther College alumni Walter Ordway, a world traveler, photographer, and filmmaker and photographer and filmmaker Kyrl Henderson.
Closed captioning recommended.
Walter Ordway Best of Fest (juried) Documentary Feature (40+ min)
Walter Ordway Best of Fest (juried) Narrative Feature (40+ min)
Walter Ordway Best of Fest (juried) Documentary Short (less than 40 min)
Walter Ordway Best of Fest (juried) Narrative Short (less than 40 min)
Walter Ordway Best of Fest (juried) Animation (any length)
Best of Fest Student Film Awards (juried): narrative, documentary, animation
Member's Choice Best of Fest Award (non-juried)
Numbers of awards are subject to quantity and quality of films submitted.
