The Film Lounge

"The Film Lounge" is a television series that showcases short, independent films by Iowa artists. Each one-hour episode includes a collection of short films (2-20 minutes in length) that represent a range of artistic forms, including documentary, animated and experimental work. The episodes also feature interviews with the contributing filmmakers plus spotlight features that highlight active filmmaking projects across Iowa.

The series is produced by Iowa PBS in partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, both divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Program objectives include highlighting art and experimental films by underserved Iowa artists; elevating the process of filmmaking as an art form; recognizing the contributions of filmmaking to the economic and cultural vitality of Iowa; and sharing stories important to Iowans.

Stay Tuned for an announcement of the Season 8 winners!

Season 8 submissions were judged on:

Artistic originality
Technical quality
Level of engagement

Read the guidelines for season 8

Watch Past Seasons

Past Seasons of "The Film Lounge" can be streamed on Iowa PBS. Explore previous episode content online.

Featured Filmmakers

Congratulations to Iowa filmmakers featured in past episodes of "The Film Lounge".

"The Film Lounge" Season 7 - premiered January 2023
Kaitlyn Busbee and Benjamin Handler Antonio Chalmers and Tone Da Boss Charlie Borowicz Adam Orton and Michael A. Levine Spencer Loucks, Lev Cantoral, and Joe Fiala Russ Curry, Lily Skove, TJ Hellmuth, and McKenzie Stubbert Antoinette Lavalle Michael Minard Matthew Williams and Juan Luna Emille Lacsa and LOVESBLIND

"The Film Lounge" Season 6 - premiered January 2022
Godfreed Ebong Benjamin Handler Tyler Hill and Hao Zhou Connor Hopkins Paul Huenemann Katie Jensen, Bruce James Bales, and Cynthia O'Hern Antoinette Lavalle Tempest Montgomery Philip Rabalais Amenda Tate
"The Film Lounge" Season 5 - premiered February 2021
William J Locker and Stefan Egeberg Hansen / FRESK Bruce James Bales Jack Sarcone Lucius Pham Justin Norman Jacob Withers Michael Runde, Ben Friedman, Ben Burkholder, and Pat Hunt
"The Film Lounge" Season 4 - premiered February 2020
Patrick Albanese Tarrell Christie Sam Fathallah Stephen Folker Benjamin Handler Traci Hercher Justin Norman Philip Rabalais Spencer Smith Stefanie Toftey
"The Film Lounge" Season 3 - premiered February 2019
Extravision and Bruce Bales Jack Meggers Jeffery Byrd John Spencer Woerdehoff, Jack Sarcone, and Brody Kuhar Joshua De Lanoit Kaitlyn Busbee and Jamie Boling Matthew Sindt Tarrell Christie Tiny Circus River Breitbach and Joshua De Lanoit
"The Film Lounge: Halloween Style" Season 2 - premiered October 2017
Charlie Gandez Harry W. Walker III Michael E. Berg Tarrell Christie Tiny Circus
"The Film Lounge" Season 2 - premiered February 2018
Aaron Van Maanen and Holden Feagler Thomas C. Johnson Nella Thomas and William Locker Benjamin Gardner Jack Meggers Ruth Mataya Garcia Graham Cooper Kaitlyn Busbee and Elizabeth June Bergman P. Sam Kessie Juan Acuna Esparza
"The Film Lounge: Halloween Style" Season 1 - premiered October 2016
Steve Couch Bruce Walters Juan Acuna Esparza Justin Norman and Shrieking Tree Michael Berg Patrick Tape Fleming Serena Illuminati and Annalibera P. Sam Kessie Beau Batterson and Adam Orton
"The Film Lounge" Season 1 - premiered February 2017
Steve Jennings and Kathy Buxton Kristian Day Paul Huenemann Thomas C. Johnson Greg Best John Richard Christopher Ford and Bruce James Bales Josh Thorud Ian Carstens Paul Berge P. Sam Kessie Lisa Schlesinger and Irina Patkanian Andrew Sherburne and Tommy Haines