Julien Dubuque International Film Festival

12th Annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Welcomes EST Studios

as Host of Two Panels and International Night Party

All three events are free and open to the public

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is back and better than ever, celebrating its 12th annual five-day event series from April 26th to 30th. This year, the festival is excited to announce that Los Angeles-based finance, production, and sales company, EST Studios, will be taking center stage with a lineup of exciting events that are free and open to the public.

EST Studios is thrilled to host two panels during the festival. They will kick off on Friday, April 28th, at 3 pm, at the Hotel Julien River Room, with a panel discussion on "Best Production Policies," featuring EST Studios' Head of Film and TV, Juefang Zhang, and Head of Distribution, Tenten Wei. Attendees will learn about co-productions, grants, "soft money" for independent filmmaking, and how to generate buzz for their project from an early stage.

On Saturday, April 29th, at 4:00 pm in the Holiday Inn's Blue Moon Room, co-presenters Juefang Zhang and Tenten Wei will discuss how independent filmmakers can sell their films. Filmmakers will not only gain a better understanding of how to work with sales companies, but they also will have the opportunity to pitch their films to EST Studios.

But that's not all – on Thursday, April 27th, EST Studios will start the festival off with a bang with their International Night Party, held at the Hotel Julien Dubuque's Riverboat Lounge. Starting at 9 pm, partygoers can enjoy the Latin American vibes with salsa, reggaeton, merengue, and more, spun by Bronx-born DJ Papi.

"We're excited to be hosting these events for the filmmakers and attendees of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival," said Juefang Zhang, Head of Film and TV at EST Studios. "With so many new independent films of high caliber and covering such a wide range of topics, we are looking forward to discovering fantastic new films and engaging with the community."

“This festival provides a great opportunity to discover new talents in the world of independent cinema, where emerging filmmakers often create innovative and unique works outside of the mainstream film industry. We're eager to see what new talents will bring to the industry and how they will shape its future," said Tenten Wei, Head of Distribution at EST Studios.

EST Studios is a distinguished US-based finance, production and distribution company that passionately represents a diverse range of Asian content in the international marketplace, with a mission to showcase the Greatest Stories Never Told. With a track record of success, EST Studios is known for critically acclaimed films like Hidden Letters (2023 Oscar Shortlist), K-POPS! (starring Anderson Pakk), Maika (Sundance), Every Day in Kaimuki (Sundance), and B for Busy (starring Zheng Xu). Committed to expanding its global footprint, EST Studios collaborates with industry leaders such as Studio 76 in Taiwan, ACE Pictures in Malaysia, and Hugoeast in Beijing, to bring captivating Asian content to audiences worldwide.

Tickets for the festival start at just $12 per screening and $200 for an all-access pass, giving film enthusiasts the chance to experience the best of independent cinema. Visit Julienfilmfest.com for a complete list of films, screenings, events, tickets, and updates. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the 12th annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival and experience the magic of independent cinema.

More about JDIFF

Since 2012, The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival has been dedicated to enriching the community and bridging cultures through the education and promotion of arts through independent film. JDIFF acknowledges emerging filmmakers from around the world and supports diverse and cause-related films. As one of the Top 100 Best-Rated Festivals on FilmFreeway.com, JDIFF has been recognized by Variety, AAA Living, and River Travel Magazine.

During the festival, downtown businesses will open their doors to host panels, workshops, film screenings, parties, and more, at venues including Phoenix Theatres, Hotel Julien Dubuque, Five Flags Center, Dubuque Museum of Art, Five Flags Theater, and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. And new for JDIFF 2023, the Grand Opera House has been added as a screening venue.

The film submissions deadline for 2023 has passed. Submissions for the 2024 JDIFF will open in August 2023.