Central Iowa’s own version of the Sundance Festival opens tonight (Thursday) with a series of independent movies from around the globe — and films from current and former Iowans. Kim Busbee, director of the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival which runs in Des Moines through Sunday, says the roster includes shorts, student films, documentaries, animation and full-length feature films. She says the opening line-up of movies includes several pieces involving Iowans. “La Sirena” is a thriller made by Des Moines residents Francisco and Jose Rodriguez. “The Magician” is a short film from Jon Gaskill, a Des Moines journalist. Also tonight, “America’s Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie,” a documentary narrated by actress Annabeth Gish, a Cedar Falls native. Busbee says a Des Moines native who’s well-known for his work in T-V and movies will host a seminar for new actors at the festival. Actor GregAlan Williams has had roles in “The West Wing,” “Boston Public,” “Old School,” “The Sopranos” and “Remember the Titans.” He’ll be teaching an auditioning workshop on how to get the part. The festival is underway at the Fleur Cinema in Des Moines. For more information, surf to “www.fleurcinema.com” and click on Special Events. Fleur is French for flower. The Wild Rose Film Fest is named after Iowa’s state flower.
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