https://www.iowapublicradio.org/tags/refocus-film-festival Refocus Film Festival en-US Copyright Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2026-10-05/2026-refocus-film-festival-iowa-city-filmscene The Refocus Film Festival is ringing in its fifth year, and this time it’s “bigger and bolder” than ever. From Oscar contenders to special guests, see what’s in store during the four-day festival hosted by FilmScene in Iowa City Oct. 22-25. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2026-10-05/2026-refocus-film-festival-iowa-city-filmscene Nicole Baxter https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-10-13/2025-refocus-film-festival-iowa-city-filmscene Celebrating adaptation is at the heart of the Refocus Film Festival in Iowa City. But this year, another unifying theme emerged: art as a form of revolution. From regional premieres to newly restored classics, the four-day festival featured many movies that inspired conversation around social change. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:15:07 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-10-13/2025-refocus-film-festival-iowa-city-filmscene Clinton Olsasky, Nicole Baxter https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-10-09/robert-redford-iowa-city-refocus-festival When Robert Redford visited Iowa City for the 1976 Refocus Festival at the University of Iowa, he made quite the impression on one student, who had the honor of hosting him for dinner. Decades later, and a month after his death, she remembers what it was like to sit across the table from the Hollywood star. Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:34:15 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-10-09/robert-redford-iowa-city-refocus-festival Nicole Baxter https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-08-28/filmscene-refocus-film-festival-reveals-opening-night-movie-train-dreams Iowa City's fourth annual Refocus Film Festival will open with Train Dreams, directed by the Academy Award-nominated writer Clint Bentley. Following in the festival's theme of adaptation, the film is based on the award-winning novella of the same name, written by Iowa Writers' Workshop alumnus Denis Johnson. Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:18:30 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2025-08-28/filmscene-refocus-film-festival-reveals-opening-night-movie-train-dreams Nicole Baxter https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2024-10-21/iowa-citys-storytelling-history-shines-in-3rd-refocus-film-festival Martians, moms and all things movies were in the spotlight over the weekend at the 2024 Refocus Film Festival in Iowa City. It’s the only film festival dedicated to celebrating the art of adaptation, which this year included the Iowa premiere of Nightbitch. Mon, 21 Oct 2024 21:51:34 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2024-10-21/iowa-citys-storytelling-history-shines-in-3rd-refocus-film-festival Nicole Baxter, Clinton Olsasky https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2024-08-07/amy-adams-movie-to-open-2024-refocus-film-festival The Refocus Film Festival announced its opening night film selection, "Nightbitch." The film stars Amy Adams and is based on the novel of the same name by Iowa City author Rachel Yoder. The festival takes place in downtown Iowa City Oct. 17-20. Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:44:53 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2024-08-07/amy-adams-movie-to-open-2024-refocus-film-festival Nicole Baxter https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2023-10-17/film-and-book-lovers-celebrate-the-art-of-adaptation-at-second-refocus-film-festival-in-iowa-city Film and book lovers descended on downtown Iowa City this past weekend for the return of the Refocus Film Festival. Attendees were treated to dozens of film screenings, performances by local artists and dialogues with legendary figures like Werner Herzog and John Irving. The festival, which took place Oct. 12 through 15, was presented by FilmScene, Iowa City’s local, nonprofit cinema. Tue, 17 Oct 2023 22:11:28 GMT https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2023-10-17/film-and-book-lovers-celebrate-the-art-of-adaptation-at-second-refocus-film-festival-in-iowa-city Nicole Baxter