A Downtown Weekend of Film, Ideas, and the Future of Storytelling

06/26/2026 – 06/28/2026 — Various Times
Interrobang Film Festival
Western Gateway Park
Arts • Tech • Education • Downtown

When Downtown Starts Thinking in Frames

During late June, downtown Des Moines doesn’t just host events — it starts feeling like a living cinema district.

Screens go up. Conversations shift toward storytelling, technology, and design. People move between screenings, panels, and outdoor gatherings where film isn’t just watched — it’s discussed, questioned, and reimagined.

The Interrobang Film Festival feels like the city pressing pause on routine life to explore how stories are made, shared, and reshaped.

The Experience

A Festival Built Around Film and Ideas

Unlike traditional film festivals that stay strictly in theaters, Interrobang blends screenings with interactive spaces, turning Western Gateway Park into a hybrid of cinema, classroom, and creative lab.

Expect:

• Independent and experimental film screenings
• Short films and documentary showcases
• Creator panels and Q&A sessions
• Tech-driven storytelling demos
• Student and emerging filmmaker spotlights

The focus isn’t just on watching films — it’s on understanding how they’re built and what they mean.

The Atmosphere

The park becomes a layered creative space throughout the weekend.

You’ll usually see:

• Filmmakers talking with audiences after screenings
• Small groups debating story structure and themes
• Students taking notes during panels
• Casual viewers discovering indie films for the first time
• Outdoor seating areas turning into informal discussion zones

It feels more like a creative gathering than a passive viewing experience.

Why It Feels Different

Interrobang stands out because it treats film as an evolving medium rather than a finished product.

The festival leans into questions:

• How is storytelling changing with technology?
• What happens when audiences become creators?
• Where does film go next?

That sense of curiosity runs through everything — from programming to conversations between attendees.

Best Time to Go

• Morning/early sessions: Smaller crowds, more discussion-focused
• Afternoon: Full screening schedule and panels
• Evening: Most atmospheric outdoor screenings and gatherings

Evening screenings in the park tend to feel the most cinematic and social.

Pair It With Nearby Stops

Make it a full downtown creative weekend:

• Coffee before screenings in the East Village
• Dinner near Western Gateway Park between events
• Walk through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park nearby
• Visit local galleries or pop-up exhibits
• Stay downtown for evening conversations and nightlife

The entire downtown core becomes part of the festival experience.

Final Thoughts

Interrobang Film Festival is less about sitting in the dark and more about stepping into the conversation around film itself.

It’s thoughtful, experimental, and community-driven — the kind of event where you leave with new perspectives on how stories are told and why they matter.

It doesn’t just show films. It invites you into the process of thinking about them.

Verified Details

• Event: Interrobang Film Festival
• Dates: June 26–28, 2026
• Time: Various
• Venue: Western Gateway Park
• Address: 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309