Iowa Motion Picture Association

05/29/2026

It is open to the public and tickets are still available- come celebrate the “Iowa Oscars” with us- a night to meet Iowa filmmakers, walk the red carpet, take photos, meet some famous Iowa filmmakers, and some emerging Iowa filmmakers as well.

Join us for the evening. Check in starts at 5:30 PM on Saturday May 30. Seating starts at 6:30 PM and the show starts at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $10 at www.impa.tv

We’d love to meet you and see you there!

05/29/2026

The 2026 Toni and Tim Urban Artist-in-Residence supported an incredible live performance of “The Fall,” an animated film by French artist Christine Rebet. Rebet’s film was created in collaboration with...

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

It is a great night to come out to the movies/ here at the Fleur Cinema & Cafe 4545 Fleur Dr in Des Moines- the coolest theater in town! Playing right now is From Iowa and Back - The Vietnam Nam Era.

05/28/2026

Very exciting- we are getting ready to watch this film- come and see us at the coolest theater in town- the Fleur Cinema & Cafe at 4545 Fleur Dr in Des Moines

05/28/2026

A century-old Iowa murder mystery returns to the screen in a haunting and powerful new adaptation.
As part of the 35th Anniversary Iowa Motion Picture Film Festival, audiences will experience a gripping new film inspired by one of the most influential crime stories ever connected to Iowa history.
When her best friend is accused of murder, a determined pioneer farmwife begins investigating the crime herself — only to discover the prime suspect may be her own husband.
Based on Susan Glaspell’s groundbreaking 1917 short story “Jury of Her Peers,” this emotionally charged feature film revisits a real unsolved murder case from rural Iowa that challenged the justice system of its time and raised profound questions about gender, silence, and truth.
Directed by Iowa filmmaker William Rock, the film explores the hidden tensions beneath small-town life, where appearances can conceal fear, betrayal, and devastating secrets. Set in the early 1900s, the story remains strikingly relevant today, asking audiences to consider how justice changes when women’s voices are finally heard.
Atmospheric, suspenseful, and deeply human, this adaptation blends historical drama and psychological mystery into a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Presented during the Iowa Motion Picture Association’s 35th Anniversary celebration — the longest continuously running showcase and celebration of Iowa filmmakers — this film honors Iowa’s literary legacy while showcasing the extraordinary talent of independent filmmakers across the state.
The public is welcome. Tickets available at FleurCinema.com 4545 Fleur Dr Des Moines

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Mystery. Investigation. And Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight.
Among this year’s exciting Iowa-made films is a gripping mystery thriller set right here in Des Moines, Iowa. Jan Walters is a fiction writer and filmmaker from central Iowa. She is best known for writing books that blend crime investigation with the supernatural. Walters grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. Five generations of men in her family have worked in law enforcement. Her family members served on the Des Moines Police Department starting back in the late 1800s. As a child, her grandmother told her real police stories that never made the news. Later, her husband and son shared similar stories. Walters used these family tales as the spark for her mystery writing.

Investigative reporter Lisa is searching for answers surrounding missing women when her investigation uncovers a dangerous web of secrets far deeper than she ever imagined. When her detective boyfriend suddenly disappears, Lisa begins connecting the mysteries — realizing the truth may be closer, darker, and more personal than anyone expected.

Suspenseful, emotional, and filled with intrigue, this Iowa-produced film highlights the incredible creativity and storytelling talent emerging from the Midwest independent film community.

From psychological tension to investigative twists, audiences will be pulled into a story about determination, courage, and the relentless search for truth. Thor Moreno is an independent writer, director, and cinematographer. He is known for making dark psychological thrillers and horror films.

Moreno grew up in a very creative household. His father was a musician who encouraged him to write music. Before making movies, Moreno was a touring musician. He played instruments in bars and toured the country with his brother's band until his late 20s. He eventually left to focus on short films and music videos.

Moreno splits his time between the West Coast and the American Midwest. He uses this mix of settings to build a unique atmosphere in his films. His stories feature gritty, character-driven mysteries, deep psychological dread and tension, sudden plot twists, and open or unpredictable endings – perfect to entertain an audience.

Schism (2024), an unsettling psychological thriller, earned Moreno a Best Director win at the Cannes World Film Festival.

The public is welcome. Tickets available at: Fleur Cinema & Café
4545 Fleur Drive • Des Moines, IA

Come experience powerful Iowa storytelling on the big screen during the 35th Anniversary celebration of Iowa filmmakers.