Iowa City-based FilmScene, Iowa’s largest nonprofit cinema, was one of 10 organizations and individuals honored with the Governor’s Arts Award April 29 in a presentation at the Iowa State Capitol.
Administered by IEDA’s Iowa Arts Council, “the biennial awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Iowa,” a release stated.
FilmScene, located in the heart of downtown Iowa City at 404 E. College St., is unique from most movie theaters. While its marquee regularly features a curated selection of independent, classic, and foreign films – as well as thought-provoking documentaries — the nonprofit cinema also serves as a hub for cultural engagement.
Beyond the silver screen, FilmScene hosts filmmaker dialogues, panel discussions and community events that spark conversation and connection. Its mission extends well past entertainment, with the goal to “challenge, inspire, educate, and entertain our diverse communities through the shared discovery of film.”
“It’s an honor to join the distinguished list of Iowans who have contributed to the vibrancy of the arts in Iowa over the last half-century,” said FilmScene Executive Director Andrew Sherburne. “Our work is distinguished by an uncompromising curatorial vision, a curiosity to engage in challenging work, and a dedication to uplift our diverse communities through the shared experience of cinema. We’re grateful to the State of Iowa that this commitment to our core principles is worthy of such recognition.”
Two years after its founding, FilmScene made its public debut in the fall of 2013 with the opening of a single-screen cinema on the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. Known as FilmScene on the Ped Mall, the venue added a second screening room as its popularity grew.
Expansion continued in 2019 with the opening of FilmScene at the Chauncey, a three-screen, state-of-the-art facility. In 2021, FilmScene introduced a seasonal outdoor venue, FilmScene at the Park, offering open-air screenings during warmer months. The following year, the organization launched the Refocus Film Festival, a four-day celebration dedicated to the art of adaptation.
“Now operating with two locations on five permanent screens and a seasonal outdoor cinema, FilmScene screens 450 films per year to an estimated 80,000 attendees, supported by over 2,300 members enriching the cultural vitality of the surrounding area through community-supported programming that showcases exceptional American and international filmmaking in a vibrant, accessible, equitable, and welcoming space,” a release stated.
In addition to FilmScene, the IEDA selected nine individuals and organizations for recognition in seven categories from more than 90 nominations.
Individual awardees include:
- Akwi Nji of Cedar Rapids was recognized for her leadership in multidisciplinary arts and storytelling, as well as for her extensive collaborations with cultural and civic organizations throughout Iowa. She was awarded under the category of Emerging Arts Leaders.
- Siriaco “Siri” Garcia of Des Moines, also awarded under the Emerging Arts Leaders Award category. He was honored for his contributions to the visual arts and community engagement through the creation of more than 40 murals across Central Iowa.
- Craig Ihnen of West Des Moines served nearly 30 years as executive director of the Iowa High School Speech Association and was recognized for his lifetime of dedication to nurturing artistic expression and excellence in speech and performing arts education. He was awarded under the Arts Legacy Award category.
- Tom Lacina of Grinnell was honored for his leadership in advancing the Grinnell Area Arts Council as a volunteer and board member under the Arts Champion Awards category.
- Seso Marentes of Des Moines was honored under the Heritage Awards category for his dedication to preserving and sharing cultural heritage through the arts.
Organizations awarded include:
- Arts Share in Iowa City was honored under the Arts Learning Award for its work in bringing performance, teaching and creative practice to communities. Arts Share has reached more than 10,000 K-12 students and 4,000 community members across Iowa over the last two years.
- The City of Bondurant was recognized for its commitment to integrating the arts into community development under the Arts Champion Awards category.
- The Sioux City Art Center was honored under the Arts Service Award category for its Razzle Dazzle project, which engaged hundreds of local volunteers and transformed the building’s architecture into a vibrant, community-driven artwork that attracted new visitors in fall 2024.
- The Appanoose County History Stitchers were recognized under the Heritage Awards category for their work in maintaining and celebrating Iowa’s quilting traditions through a decade-long project that celebrates the region’s history and culture.
FilmScene was recognized under the Film and Media Awards category.
“These awardees exemplify the passion, creativity and leadership that drive Iowa’s arts community forward,” said David Schmitz, director of the Iowa Arts Council. “Their work enriches our state, inspires our communities and ensures that the arts continue to thrive for future generations.”
First presented in the early 1970s, the Governor’s Arts Awards are a longtime program of the Iowa Arts Council, honoring outstanding contributions to the state’s cultural landscape. Over the years, the awards have recognized leading arts organizations, educators, community volunteers, and patrons.
