Refocus film festival

Celebrating the art of adaptation

OCTOBER 12-15, 2023

Film Announcement

THE 2023 FEST LINEUP

The 2nd edition of the Refocus Film Festival features 17 new feature films, 4 short films, 4 classic restorations, 4 special screenings, 1 free cinematic art project, 3 curated conversations, dozens of local artists and daily festivities.

Highlights include special guests Werner Herzog and John Irving, new films by legendary directors Jean-Luc Godard and Errol Morris, festival prize winners The Taste of Things, Four Daughters, and About Dry Grasses, adaptations including Ottessa Moshfegh's Eileen, Sara Varon's Robot Dreams and so much more.

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Omnibus

All Access

every film

All-Access!

Member $180

Public $225

SOLD OUT

Avid

Best value

8 Films

For a hungry fest appetite!

MEMBER $80

PUBLIC $100

BUY A PASS

debut

fest curious

4 Films

Get a taste of the fest!

MEMBER $48

PUBLIC $60

BUY A PASS

Closing Night at Refocus Film Festival

Cinema Savant: Werner Herzog

October 15 at 7:30pm

Legendary film director Werner Herzog will receive FilmScene’s Cinema Savant award and appear in conversation to discuss his life in film and read from his soon-to-be-released autobiography.

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DOZENS OF Films, LIVE MUSIC AND ART, 4 Days, 1 pass

Movie lovers rejoice! The Refocus Film Festival returns for a second year with four days of film screenings, each proceeded by live local music or multimedia art to form a kaleidoscopic impression of the many artistic disciplines that inform our big screen experience.

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festivities, conversations, Happy Hours And art

Refocus Film Festival is much more than films. Go deeper into the the art through filmmaker and author dialogues, curated alongside Iowa City Book Festival.

Presenting Sponsor

We’re thrilled to recognize James Investment Group, Inc. as the presenting sponsor for the 2023 festival!

Sponsorships help make our festival possible, supporting screening fees, artist travel, live performances and all the festivities that make it a fest.