Cedar River Film Festival

Cedar River Film Festival Celebrating films from the Heartland since 2023. Oster Regent Theatre, Cedar Falls, IA This will be a 17+ event.
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The aim of the Cedar River Film Festival is to promote and present films made in the American Heartland (aka The Midwest). Our festival is based in Iowa, and we love how much creativity and diversity there is in Iowa and the states whose borders we share--you know who you are: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska. The Cedar River Film Festival 2025 will take place on October 31st

and November 2nd at the Historic Oster Regent Theatre in Cedar Falls, Iowa just a stone’s throw away from (you guessed it) the Cedar River. Day 1: We will kick off our festival on October 31st with your offerings of horror films, sci fi and adult comedy to celebrate Halloween and all the things creepy and scary (heck, this year some political documentaries might quality). Day 2: Enjoy a day of Shorts, Features, and Documentaries that celebrate stories about the American Heartland. The Cedar River Film Festival is an annual event hosted by the Cedar Falls Community Theatre at the Historic Oster Regent Theatre in Cedar Falls Iowa.

Could be a horror flick. Could be a comedy. A harrowing drama. Or a lighthearted Comedy. That's the beauty of Midwest s...
07/04/2026

Could be a horror flick. Could be a comedy. A harrowing drama. Or a lighthearted Comedy. That's the beauty of Midwest stories, and that's exactly what we're looking for.

The Cedar River Film Festival is open for submissions, and we want the full range: dramas, docs, comedies, shorts, the weird ones that don't fit a genre at all. Midwest stories, told from every angle.

Now beaming in entries from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota

Submissions close August 31st

Submit via FilmFreeway — link in the comments.
Use Waiver Code: CRFF25 for 25% off submission fees.

Bring your best. Bring your strangest. Bring whatever's been quietly growing in your own field.

Hearing feedback like this never gets old.We're incredibly grateful to every filmmaker who has shared their work to make...
07/01/2026

Hearing feedback like this never gets old.

We're incredibly grateful to every filmmaker who has shared their work to make the Cedar River Film Festival what it is. Our goal has always been simple: celebrate great independent films from the Heartland while creating a welcoming experience for filmmakers and movie lovers alike.

Submit your film today here: https://filmfreeway.com/CedarRiverFilmFestival
Use Waiver Code: CRFF25 for 25% off

We can't wait to see what you've created!

The best festivals aren't just about the films, they're about the people.Nothing makes us happier than hearing that film...
06/23/2026

The best festivals aren't just about the films, they're about the people.

Nothing makes us happier than hearing that filmmakers feel welcomed from the moment they arrive until the final credits roll. From the Historic Oster-Regent Theatre to the restaurants and shops just steps away, we want every guest to experience the heart of downtown Cedar Falls.

Thank you, Wes Worthing, director of Outro, for the kind words! We can't wait to welcome another incredible group of storytellers this fall.

We’re looking for stories that reflect the people, places, humor, horror, struggles, and spirit of the heartland — wheth...
06/12/2026

We’re looking for stories that reflect the people, places, humor, horror, struggles, and spirit of the heartland — whether it’s a feature, short, documentary, comedy, or something completely unexpected.

If your film was made in, by, or about Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, or South Dakota, we’d love to see it.

Submit your film today. Link in the comments.

We love hearing feedback like this from our filmmakers.Creating a welcoming home for Heartland storytellers is at the he...
06/11/2026

We love hearing feedback like this from our filmmakers.

Creating a welcoming home for Heartland storytellers is at the heart of the Cedar River Film Festival, and we're grateful for every filmmaker who joins us at the historic Oster Regent Theatre.

Link in the Comments
06/05/2026

Link in the Comments

We're incredibly grateful for filmmakers who spent time with us at Cedar River Film Festival.Building a festival isn't j...
05/31/2026

We're incredibly grateful for filmmakers who spent time with us at Cedar River Film Festival.

Building a festival isn't just about screening movies, it's about creating a place where filmmakers feel welcomed, supported, and connected. Hearing feedback like this reminds us why we do it.

If you're looking for a festival that values filmmakers, audiences, and community, we'd love to see your work. (Link in the Comments)

Link in the Comments.
05/27/2026

Link in the Comments.

05/26/2026

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103 Main Street
Cedar Falls, IA
50613

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