KEYWORDS

There will be a Zombie Army bus in Iowa City next week. No kidding. The crew from The Mole Man of Belmont Avenue will drive this one-of-a-kind bus, which looks like an approaching George Romero movie from the outside and MTP-pimp-my-ride on the inside, through the cornfields from Chicago to Iowa City. You won’t want to miss this thing. I sure don’t.

The Mole Man is a hilarious movie that plays at 9:15 pm on Friday night, August 26. It’ll be in the Englert so come on down and find out what kind of shenanigans director-actors Mike Bradecich and John LaFlamboy get up to when a strange creature starts killing the tenants in their building.

The bus

Four score filmmakers and actors came to Landlocked 2010. They were joined by over 4000 audience members. Movies played at four venues over four days. This being the 4th annual festival, it all adds up.

The new Networking Breakfast was very popular among our attending film artists and we’ll be bringing that back next year for certain. We’re listening to feedback from these folks to see what was most useful and interesting for them so that we can add more of what they want for next year.

The VIP party was a huge hit once again.  Thanks, Bobby and Marc! We couldn’t ask for better hosts or a better party spot. Treats were provided by local people, with comestibles and drinks from DeLuxe Pastries & Cakes, Wally the Wine Guy, and New Belgium Brewery.

Audiences were strong in all venues. Each year we meet new people who heard of Landlocked for the first time. They vow to spend the entire weekend next year. We had people coming from Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and all over Iowa just to see movies. In addition, of course, the filmmakers came from Los Angeles, New York City, North Carolina, Michigan and many other states, and even other countries: South Korea and Australia.

We have to send out a huge thanks to our sponsors, our volunteers, our audience members, our panelists and workshop leaders, and our filmmakers, all of whom made the fest the amazing experience that it was.

See you at the 5th annual Landlocked Film Festival next year!

Just finished re-watching Play On and it’s even more fun the second time. This is a great little sports story with heart and soul. A selfish Scottish pro rugby player is kicked out, goes to Kansas City, and learns some humility by playing with a ragtag team called the Wanderers. He learns some tough lessons and makes new friends for life. Plus the game scenes are all great.  This is the kind of film that a film fest is fortunate to have.

Play On will screen in the Englert on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at 4:00 pm.  We’re expecting director David Story to be there.  Don’t miss it!