News: Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Offers $35K in Cash Prizes

JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS $35,000 IN CASH PRIZES

The fourth annual festival in April is accepting submissions of

features, documentaries, and shorts until Feb. 10

Dubuque, IA (Dec. 17, 2014) — The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Dubuque, Iowa, will award more than $35,000 in cash prizes during its fourth annual festival, April 23-26, 2015.

The festival has extended its regular submission deadline to Jan. 31 and its late deadline to Feb. 10. Films can be submitted through WithoutaBox or Film Freeway.

“We can’t wait to see this year’s submissions,” said Executive Director Susan Gorrell. “It seems that every year we are blown away by the quality and unique films we receive.”

Winners will be announced in five categories – Grand Jury, Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short, and Best of Iowa – at the Awards Ceremony & Gala on Saturday, April 25.

The largest prize, $15,000, will go to the Grand Jury winner. Nominees for that award will be culled from nominees for Best Documentary and Best Feature.

The rest of the prizes are as follows: $8,500 for Best Documentary, $8,500 for Best Feature, $3,000 for Best Short, and $500 for Best of Iowa.

“Awarding cash prizes helps to not only create excitement around the awards ceremony, but also aids filmmakers in offsetting the high costs of creating an independent film,” Gorrell said. “These filmmakers are often putting everything they have into their craft and we want to honor their hard work.”

The top three nominees in each category will receive free travel and accommodations to Dubuque.

Official Selections of the festival will receive a partial reimbursement of their submission fee – $30 for features and documentaries and $10 for shorts. The festival will accept no more than 35 features and documentaries.

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is committed to building partnerships with filmmakers and film distributors through ongoing activities that include hosting special screenings, filmmaker panels, community events and culminates in the festival each year. In its third year, MovieMaker Magazine named the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.” This year, no more than 35 independent films will be screened during the four-day event.