MUSCATINE, Iowa — Independent films featured at the New Strand Film Festival this weekend will display the work of filmmakers from as far away as England to as close to home as Muscatine.

The New Strand Film Festival, a collaboration between the West Liberty Public Library and the New Strand Theatre, is aimed at bringing arts and entertainment to West Liberty. This year marks the second year for the festival.

“I am looking forward to the experience again this year and want everyone to come out and enjoy the films,” Todd Leach, owner of the New Strand Theatre said.

The festival highlights the work of aspiring filmmakers and promotes the growth of independent movie-making. Corrdinators choose the best films in three categories, Iowa Film Maker Award, Grand Jury Award and Made in Iowa Award, to recognize what they believe to be the best work submitted.

Steven Bieber, a 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker from Muscatine, will be the only area artist with a film in the long lineup for the festival, which runs Friday-Saturday, May 1-3, at New Strand Theatre, 111. E Third Street. Each film was submitted by the artist and chosen by festival coordinators. Bieber has been chosen for the Made in Iowa Award.

“It’s very cool,” said Bieber of the opportunity to share his passion, and being chosen as one of the best                       filmmakers.

His entry “The Shadow’s Thoughts” is a psycho-thriller short film  based on the diary of a killer, played by Bieber.

The film took first place at the 2008 Iowa Thespian State Festival in the short film contest, which was open to all Iowa high school students.

Bieber came up with the idea when listening to rock singer Alice Cooper’s 2008 album “Along Came A Spider.”

“When I was listening to the album, a lot of it is about finding the diary of a murderer,” Bieber said.

His creativity spurred the creation of “The Shadow’s Thoughts,” which he produced on his computer inside his bedroom. The movie is about five minutes long and some scenes were shot in the back yard of Bieber’s home. Some of his friends have roles as           victims.

“I am hoping people will see it and think that it’s neat kids are starting to do this so early and it’s something not every kid does,” said Bieber, the youngest artist in the film festival for the second year in a row.

In 2008, his short film, “Midnight Misfortune,” was featured at the festival. It was about a person’s experience with a fortune cookie that reveals a disturbing future.

The festival will include several types and lengths of films, ranging from documentaries to dramas and from five minutes to 105 minutes.

The event begins with an 88-minute film, “Route 30,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and the event runs  through to Sunday when mostly documentaries and “feel-good” films will be shown.

“Last year we didn’t know what to expect but it went very smoothly,” said Leach. “The theater was fairly full for most of the films. Hopefully, this year, we’ll get many more people. It’s a real fun time for everybody.”

The representation by different artists makes it an attraction for all types of film lovers, he added.

Details

The festival

What: New Strand Film Festival

Where: 111 E. Third St., West Liberty

When: Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 1; 10 a.m. Saturday May 2 and 1 p.m., Sunday May 3

Cost: $5 per person per day. Tickets available at 111 E. 3rd St. West Liberty

The lineup

Friday, May 1

7:30 p.m. — Route 30

Saturday, May 2

Beginning at 10 a.m. — Beep Beep, Knock Knock Who’s There, Motion, Thick as Thieves, Waiting for the Sky to Fall, Slow River, Grapes

Beginning at 2 p.m. — A Good Night’s Sleep, Less is More, The Shadow’s Thoughts, Only Love, Eastern College

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. — Speedland

Sunday, May 3

Beginning 1 p.m. — Dream Riders

Beginning at 3 p.m. — Return to Stolowicze , Without Papers , Songs for Daddy , Frogs and Snails

Beginning at 4:30 p.m.  A Friend - The Bill Sackter Story

Online

To view Steven Bieber’s video “The Shadow’s Thoughts” go to www.muscatinejournal.com/videos