In April of 2007, Tanna Frederick and Dick Schinnow launched the first Iowa Independent Film festival in Music Man Square in Mason City. Frederick had conceived the idea with independent film maker Henry Jaglom who had just directed her in Hollywood Dreams, and the two of them convinced Schinnow that a film festival should be established in North Iowa.

Four years later the festival is still going strong. This year’s highlights include the World Premiere of Charlie Mathau and David Proval’s “Baby-O” and awarding a lifetime achievement award to director Mark Rydell.