JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. On April 20, 2012 film enthusiasts gathered for Dubuque's first Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in the HOTEL JULIEN DUBUQUE. The event was organized by Chris Kulotitz and Michael Coty. The festival promoted young filmmakers who displayed their productions and provided an opportunity for the producers to network with others in the film industry.

Jim Barefoot, production manager for Mediacom, announced plans to take a professional class in film commissioning that would allow Dubuque to apply for membership in the Association of Film Commissioners International. Barefoot said he was consulting on the project. (1)

Brad Parks, president of the film festival board, said an attorney was filing papers to incorporate Cinema Exploration, which would attempt to raise $1 million for Iowa cinema and include a national group of media experts.

Held from April 20-22, 2012, the first film festival featured seventy films from shorts to feature length, comedies, dramas and documentaries. Filmmakers in attendance came from as far away as Israel and Australia. The awards, designed by Dubuque sculptor Gene Tully, were made of glass, aluminum and wood, with clear quills reminiscent of a filmmaker's lens. Veteran actress of MOTION PICTURES and television Kate MULGREW received the festival's Pioneer Award. (2)

In 2015 the estimated attendance at the festival was 3,000. (3)

In April 2016 more than 600 submissions were received with 120 films screened at different sites around Dubuque. Filmmakers came from across the United States, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. (4) The economic impact of the four days was estimated between a quarter-and a half-million dollars and the event was named one of MovieMaker Magazine's 25 "coolest" film festivals worth the admission fee. (5)

In 2017 the organization's executive director, Susan GORRELL, received the Individual Impact 365INK award. (6) More than $40,000 was awarded to the best films during the awards show. (7)

In 2022, Iowa-based Renovo Media, became the first-time title sponsor of the festival. A media company founded in 1992, the Clear Lake firm became a development and production company with plans of growing to a 100 employee making its own content. One of its goals was to work with the Iowa Legislature to establish a film incentive program. (8)

In 2026 the festival ranked 4th in the Top 12 Film Festivals to Watch in North America by Destination Film Guide. It also ranked 30th for genre film festivals and programs by the widely-referenced Adrian Tofei's 2026 festival rankings. (9) The 2026 event expanded to an eight-day festival with an opening screening on April 18th, an awards ceremony on April 25, and an after-after-party at the downtown Holiday Inn.

Expanding the festival was a goal of Susan Gorrell after receiving positive response from the filmmakers who desired more than to get over their jet lag and enjoy the community. By partnering with other organizations, attendees were offered more places to explore in the area including the Field of Dreams in Dyersville and the MURALS in Dubuque. The city supported the festival through its Arts & Culture grant programs.

The JDIFF developed into more than a week-long festival by taking the responsibility for the annual Halloween Parade and operating a winter film series featuring free screenings on films about issues with social impact. Over one hundred volunteers work with the festival. (10)

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Source:

1. Voight, Sandye. "Actress Giddy Over Festival..and Being in 1 Piece," Telegraph Herald, April 20, 2012

2. Voight, Sandye. "Film Maker to Make Movie in Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, April 21, 2012

3. "2015: A By-The-Numbers Review of the Year in the Tri-States," Telegraph Herald, January 3, 2016, p. 2

4. Hogstrom, Erik. "Credits Roll in Dubuque for 'Filmmkaers' Film Festival," Telegraph Herald, April 25, 2016, p. 2A.

5. "Susan Gorrell," 365INK Magazine, February 23-March 8, 2017, p. 23

6. Ibid.

7. Descorbeth, Shirley, "Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Underway," KWWL.com Online: http://www.kwwl.com/story/35218124/2017/4/22/julien-dubuque-international-film-festival-underway

8. London, Michelle, "Media Group Focuses on Iowa Filmmaking Industry," Telegraph Herald, April 24, 2022, p. 7

9. Gleason, Thomas, "Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Keeps Growing," Telegraph Herald, March 29, 2026, p. 3

10. Ibid.