DES MOINES – From psychological dramas to experimental art films and music videos, 10 independent short films by Iowa artists will be featured on two hour-long episodes that premiere next month on Iowa Public Television.

Showcasing the work of independent filmmakers based in Iowa, The Film Lounge is produced by Iowa Public Television in partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, the State Office of Media Production, both divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Film Lounge is a television series that showcases short, independent films by Iowa artists. Each one-hour episode includes a collection of films 2-20 minutes in length representing a range of artistic forms – documentary, experimental, narrative and animation; filmmakers discussing their work as an introduction to each film; and a Spotlight Feature highlighting active filmmaking projects.

The Film Lounge: Episode 201 will premiere at 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. The Film Lounge: Episode 202 will premiere at 10 p.m. the following Sunday, Feb. 18. Both episodes will have additional air times on IPTV WORLD (.3).

Watch parties scheduled for Decorah, Des Moines and Davenport will offer a sneak peek at the new season and opportunities to meet some of the filmmakers, crew and actors featured. The public is invited to celebrate the work of filmmakers across Iowa and attend these free events.

The Film Lounge Watch Parties

• Decorah Watch Party Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. T-Bock’s Upstairs 206 W. Water Street Hosted by the Oneota Film Festival

• Des Moines Watch Party Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. Fleur Cinema and Café 4545 Fleur Drive

• Davenport Watch Party Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. Cinema at the Figge, Figge Art Museum, John Deere Auditorium Level 2, 225 W. 2nd Street With support from Ford Photography

IPTV Air Dates

• IPTV February 11 – 10 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 201 February 18 – 10 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 202

• IPTV WORLD (.3) February 15 – 8 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 201 February 16 – 3 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 201 February 22 – 8 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 202 February 23 – 3 p.m. The Film Lounge: Episode 202

The Film Lounge Season 2 Selected Films

(City, Artist, “Film Title,” Year – Synopsis)

Cedar Falls, Aaron Van Maanen and Holden Feagler, “Through,” 2017 – An anachronic narrative film that follows a person wrestling with inner demons and isolation.

Decorah, Thomas C. Johnson, “Marieke,” 2017 – A documentary about the life and craft of acclaimed Dutch Gouda cheesemaker Marieke Penterman from Thorp, Wisc.

Des Moines, Nella Thomas and William Locker, “1871,” 2016 – A music video that puts a contemporary twist on an old Western tune.

Des Moines, Benjamin Gardner, “Hallucination Dream Sequence,” 2017 – An experimental animation based on the phenomena that occur during sleep, dreams and falling asleep.

Des Moines, Jack Meggers, “‘On My Mind’ by The Maytags,” 2017 – A music video that explores love’s ability to alter one’s perception of reality.

Des Moines, Juan Acuna Esparza, “Lazy Bones, Lazy Bones,” 2017 – A surreal depiction of procrastination and one's lack of motivation in a project.

Dubuque, Ruth Mataya Garcia, “Lily,” 2016 – A poem-based film that follows the darker desires of the human soul.

Fairfield, Graham Cooper, “Atmanus,” 2017 – A narrative film about growing up and the consequences faced when given the freedom to choose your own path.

Iowa City, Kaitlyn Busbee and Elizabeth June Bergman, “Introspect,” 2015 – An improvisational dance film that explores the notion of "the gaze" in Western society.

Iowa City, P. Sam Kessie, “Transplanted,” 2017 – An experimental film that explores immigrant displacement through the lens of an alien arriving in foreign space.

Programming support for The Film Lounge is provided by Produce Iowa-State Office of Media Production, Iowa Arts Council, Gilchrist Foundation and Bravo Greater Des Moines.