Iowa Public Television putting short films in the spotlight

IOWA CITY — Filmmaker Andrew Sherburne is doubly excited about a new showcase of short films from across the state debuting on Iowa Public Television this month.

His documentary 'Husker Sand' was chosen to be part of the second episode of IPTV's 'The Film Lounge,' and FilmScene, 18 E. College St. in Iowa City, — where Sherburne serves as associate director — is screening both episodes during a two-hour preview party beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Admission is free.

'Short films are underappreciated,' he said, 'although they're getting more and more attention with new distribution models — the internet and Iowa Public Television collecting these Iowa short films and bringing them to a broadcast audience. To me, that's really great, because a lot of wonderful films are made that are not feature-length. People are getting more used to that, and there are more opportunities now that the way we consume media has changed so much. In that respect, short films are having a bit of a moment.'

Out of the 13 films selected for the initial offerings, nine are by Eastern Iowans. Topics range from documentaries about an early Danish immigrant and an artist who works with molten iron to explorations of the refugee crisis and acts of observation.

Sherburne, 37, and his Northland Films partner, Tommy Haines, 40, of Iowa City, took their cameras to the 2014 National Cornhusking Championship in Amana, confident they'd find a story in 'the resurgence of this lost pastime that had once been one of the greatest spectator sports in America,' Sherburne said.

They found their 'face' in Leroy Sand, 85, from Atlantic, who won the Golden Agers category. The filmmakers shot between 8 and 10 hours of footage that they whittled down to 8 minutes.

'Every story has its own natural length,' Sherburne said. 'From a storytelling perspective, sometimes you can tell a greater truth through a smaller, simpler story.' One they knew would resonate with Iowans and Midwesterners.

Sand, who died in the past few months, got to see himself on-screen in an Omaha film showcase in November 2015.

'It was a nice moment for him to stand up before an audience and get some appreciation for a lifetime of hard work,' Sherburne said. And now his story will have an even wider audience.

'The Film Lounge' showcase is a collaboration between Iowa Public Television and two divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs: the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, the state's office of media production. Representatives from all three groups chose the films for the series debut.

Episode 101 airs at 10 p.m. Feb. 12 and Episode 102 airs at 10 p.m. Feb. 19 on Iowa Public Television. IPTV World also airs Episode 101 at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 and 17 and Episode 102 at 11 a.m. Feb. 21 and 24.

Talks about launching the project began last March, and applications opened in April. Response was so positive — with 65 to 70 submissions from 39 filmmakers — that the pilot program will continue in subsequent years, said Veronica O'Hern, grants and programs specialist for the Iowa Arts Council.

'It's about highlighting the work being done by filmmakers in Iowa, and just the sheer variety and quality that's being produced. (Viewers will) see everything from music videos, to experimental work, to documentaries,' O'Hern said.

'We're really proud of the way ...

that three state agencies can work together to create a really rich program and fulfill common goals that we all have.'

SEE THE FILMS

What: The Film Lounge, showcasing short films by Iowa independent filmmakers.

When: Iowa Public Television — Episode 101, 10 p.m. Feb. 12; Episode 102, 10 p.m. Feb. 19; IPTV World — Episode 101, 11 a.m. Feb. 14 and Feb. 17, Episode 102, 11 a.m. Feb. 21 and Feb. 24.

Watch Party: 11 a.m. Sunday, FilmScene, 18 E. College St., Iowa City; both episodes, free admission.

Episode 101

'Body & Form,' P. Sam Kessie, Iowa City; 2016 experimental film on the movement of a disjointed form, through choreo-cinema, combining dance and film into a single work of art.

'Everybody Rains,' Christopher Ford and Bruce Bales, Des Moines; 2015 music video using puppets to personify a rain cloud and explore the common experience of crying.

'Eyes/Desires,' Josh Thorud, Iowa City; 2014 art film on the control a filmmaker has over the expectation and experience a viewer has watching a film.

'The Gurgle,' Paul Huenemann, Cedar Rapids; 2016 animated film exploring the classic horror story trope of something natural behaving unnaturally.

'The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove,' John Richard, Iowa City; 2015 documentary on Hans Hansen, an early 20th century Danish immigrant in Eastern Iowa.

'The Waiting Room,' Paul Berge, Indianola; 2015 film based on a radio play, capturing the comedic hopelessness of dealing with authority.

Episode 102

'Cactua,' Kristian Day, Des Moines; 2010 art film using improvisation to meditate on the experience of being alone in a solitary environment.

'Empty Basket,' Ian Carstens, Dubuque; 2015 documentary art film on the act of observation and its relation to time, by watching those who are watching.

'Husker Sand,' Andrew Sherburne and Tommy Haines, Iowa City; 2015 documentary examining tradition and community through the century-old tradition of cornhusking competitions.

'Ironhead,' Thomas C. Johnson, Decorah; 2015 documentary about Kelly Ludeking, a northeast Iowa artist who pours molten iron to create artwork.

'Lost and Found,' Greg Best, West Des Moines; 2011 fictional drama exploring anxiety and loss, by following a father's search for his daughter.

'The Sacrifice,' Kathy Buxton and Steve M. Jennings, Winfield; 2010 hand-illustrated, animated film inspired by the story of St. George and the dragon.

'Three Boats-Iphigenia at Lesvos,' Lisa Schlesinger and Irina Patkanian, Iowa City; 2016 art film responding to the refugee crisis through the lens of the Iphigenia myth.

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