December 1, 2025 Early Deadline
January 23, 2026 Regular Deadline
April 1, 2026 Notification Date
April 24 – 26, 2026 Event Date

The Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (ICDOCS) is an annual event run by students at the University of Iowa. Our mission is to engage local audiences with the exhibition of recent short films that explore the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking. We seek innovative new works of 30 minutes or less that both complicate and expand upon conventional approaches to nonfiction and documentary.

Email: icdocs@gmail.com
Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (ICDOCS)
c/o Laura Gede, Festival Director
Department of Cinematic Arts, University of Iowa
E210 Adler Journalism Building
140 W Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
U.S.A.

Awards & Prizes
3 Juror Awards, 3 Honorable Mentions

Rules & Terms
Early Deadline: December 1st, 2025
Regular- $15 / Students- $10 / International Entry - $5

Regular Deadline: January 23, 2026
Regular- $25 / Students- $15 / International Entry $5

If your work has been accepted to ICDOCS in the past no payment is required, please email icdocs@gmail.com for your alumni waiver code.

Student entries receive a discounted fee with proof of student status. Please email a scanned copy of your student ID card to icdocs@gmail.com.

If you have any financial hardships or need that is a barrier to entering, no matter what your student status or international status is, please contact us for assistance!