Film buffs can get a sneak peak of "The Film Lounge" Season 4 during watch parties in Iowa City and Des Moines before it airs on television next month.
"The Film Lounge" is a television series produced by Iowa PBS in partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, both divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The series showcases short, independent films 2-20 minutes in length representing a range of artistic forms – documentary, experimental, narrative and animation; filmmakers discussing their work as an introduction to each film; and a spotlight feature highlighting active filmmaking projects in Iowa.
Iowans can see a selection of this year's films during watch parties in Iowa City and Des Moines, and the full slate of films during two different episodes scheduled to air on Iowa PBS Jan. 25-26 and Feb. 1-2.
The watch parties are free and open to the public. Details about "The Film Lounge" watch parties and air dates follow:
Watch Parties
Iowa City
FilmScene at The Chauncey
404 E. College St., Suite 100
Saturday, Jan. 18
1:30 p.m. doors open
2 p.m. showtime
3 p.m. Q&A with filmmakers in attendance
This screening will feature the following eastern Iowa selections:
"Diana," Traci Hercher, Iowa City
"Concourses and Megastructures," Stefanie Toftey, Pella
"Honey Do," Stephen Folker, Davenport
"Problems on the Line," Philip Rabalais, Iowa City
"Safe," Benjamin Handler, Iowa City
Des Moines
Fleur Cinema and Café
4545 Fleur Drive
Thursday, Jan. 23
6:30 p.m. doors open
7 p.m. showtime
8 p.m. Q&A with filmmakers in attendance
This screening will feature the following central Iowa selections:
"At the Violet Hour," Spencer Smith, Des Moines
"Flava," Tarrell Christie, West Des Moines
"Note to Self," Justin Norman, Des Moines
"Soft Eyes," Sam Fathallah, Des Moines
"Unscripted," Patrick Albanese, Clive
Iowa PBS Air Dates
Two, one-hour episodes will showcase 10 short films with two spotlight features.
Episode 401
11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26
Episode 402
11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
Iowa filmmakers may submit short films to "The Film Lounge" Season 5 beginning Feb. 1 through June 1, 2020. Watch past episodes and find more information at thefilmlounge.org.
Programming support for "The Film Lounge" is provided by Produce Iowa-State Office of Media Production and the Iowa Arts Council, divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Visit iowaculture.gov for more information.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa - State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations.