The wild rose is the official flower of the state of Iowa, a thing of beauty and tenacity growing "in the wild." The Wild Rose Independent Film Festival is the longest running international film festival in Iowa and is a celebration of the compelling, diverse, hilarious, beautiful, unique and inspiring cinema art created by independent filmmakers outside the studio system.
Now held in the Spring and in its thirteenth year, The 2016 Wild Rose Independent Film Festival will be May 12-19 at the Fleur Cinema & Cafe in Des Moines, Iowa.
Attracting entries from across the U.S. as well as many global entries, and awarding films and filmmakers in up to 20 categories, the Wild Rose requires only one general entry fee for films to be considered for all the appropriate awards within a given category (examples: Directing, Casting, Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Production Design, Musical Score etc.) which can garner entrants multiple awards for one film! Offering Workshops, Special Guest Speakers, a Filmmakers Panel and a culminating Awards Ceremony, the Wild Rose is an exciting event for both filmmakers and film buffs.
Some past guests have included LLOYD KAUFMAN of Troma Pictures' "The Toxic Avenger"; STU POLLARD, Writer/Director/Producer of "Keep Your Distance"; actor GREGALAN WILLIAMS of "The Sopranos", "West Wing", "Necessary Roughness", "Secrets and Lies ","Remember the Titans ", "Be Cool", "Haunting Villisca" and "Courting Des Moines"; BEN EASTER of "Boston Public", "Holiday in the Sun", "Undressed", "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Molly's Girl" ; screenwriter LEW HUNTER, legendary Hollywood icon and the author of the best selling book, Screenwriting 434; director JOHN PUTCH of Putch Films, "Route 30", "Route 30, Too!" and "Mojave Phone Booth"; actress/ acting coach/ casting director JAMIE ROSE of L.A.'s JRose Studio ; Daytime TV and film actress ELLEN DOLAN of "As the World Turns", "Walker,Texas Ranger" "The Southside" and "Molly's Girl" fame; revered Hollywood director, RANDAL KLEISER, of "Grease", "Honey, I Blew Up the Kids", The Blue Lagoon" and "Flight of the Navigator" fame;and well known Hollywood character actor and co-founder of SAGindie TOM BOWER of " Crazy Heart", "Die Hard 2", "The Hills Have Eyes" and "As You Like It" fame.
Held at the indie-friendly art house theatre/bar/coffee house, the Fleur Cinema & Cafe, located near the Des Moines International Airport and just 5 minutes from Downtown Des Moines with a wide range of shops, restaurants, brewpubs, live music venues, and nearby hotels, "The Wild Rose" is fast becoming one of the top trendy, indie film festivals in the Midwest.
All Top Winners receive a plaque, naming them the "Best of" with a select few Winners receiving Certificates of Distinctive Achievement.
The Wild Rose may also offer additional goods, services, cash prizes or giveaways TBA.
