The first thing that struck me about Iowa in July was the heat, followed by humidity. The highway from Cedar Rapids to Burlington was lined by lush green corn fields, a different sight than the golden sea of wheat in Eastern Washington where I live.
Why Iowa?
Located on the mighty Mississippi River, Burlington is home to the Snake Alley Festival of Film (SNAFF). This 13-year-old fest features four days of short films from around the world, table readings of short screenplays, and fun networking events. The festival is held in the historic Capitol Theater, an Art Deco gem that opened in 1937.
Script Readings
Each day we piled into a small space onstage behind the big screen for table reads of short scripts.
As a fledgling screenwriter, I was privileged to hear my short script, Dig, a post-apocalyptic drama about father and daughter grave diggers. Other scripts ranged from a satirical look at a woman having a stroke in See You in Hell by Patrick Boberg to a visceral and surreal take on anxiety in The Gallery by Finch Moore.
Readings organizer JoJo Arms says she enjoys putting the event together and providing an opportunity for writers to hear their screenplays, many for the first time. It’s akin to helping birth a baby, she says.
While many film festivals offer awards for screenplays, very few do table reads. This is a valuable opportunity for screenwriters to hear their work and receive feedback. I applaud SNAFF for including it.
Short Film Highlights
With more than 100 films, audience members are sure to find something that resonates with them, whether they prefer comedy, drama, horror, or animation. I was not able to see all of them, but I enjoyed many, especially:
- Blah, Blah Blah …, a political satire in black and white, directed by Tom Baker
- A retiring DJ’s last radio show in Outro, directed by Wes Worthing
- The Children of the Corn-esque Trim the Barley, directed by Joshua M. Thomas and featuring some talented kids
- Shanti Rides Shotgun, a documentary about a gruff driving instructor in New York City, directed by Charles Frank
- One Day This Kid, a beautifully done and moving coming-of-age story about a boy, his father, and expectations, directed by Alexander Farah
- On Air, a poignant documentary about a major cyberattack after Russia invaded Ukraine that impacted Norway’s communications, directed by Astrid Ardagh
- Winter, a haunting animation in which a speed skater dies but finds himself on a surreal plane, directed by Pim Christian.
SNAFF is a friendly festival where people return year after year because it feels like a reunion. Interested in submitting? Keep an eye on their FilmFreeway page.
The Crookedest Street
Burlington’s historic downtown has quaint shops, galleries, and restaurants to explore like La Tovala and La Boheme, as well as many spots to see the river.
Before I left town, I made sure to take in a view of the Great River Bridge to Illinois, overlook the Mississippi River at Mosquito Park, and drive down Snake Alley, the road for which the film festival is named. Constructed in 1894, Snake Alley has been called “The Crookedest Street in the World.” It is Burlington’s version of Lombard Street in San Francisco.
As I left this land of corn and creativity, I carried with me the conversations I had and the stories I heard. Until next time …
Sandra Hosking | Author, Playwright, Poet, Photographer 
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