Named for the crookedest
street in the world.
Burlington, Iowa is home to the crookedest street in the world: Snake Alley, a one-block stretch of brick road with seven curves. It’s so cool, we named our film festival after it.
A short-film festival for people who like short films.
The Snake Alley Festival of Film (SNAFF) was founded in 2011 by actor and filmmaker Lonnie Schuyler with a vision of bringing independent cinema and the people who create it to Burlington.
As Burlington’s historic Capitol Theater neared the end of a decades-long restoration, Schuyler saw an opportunity. A film festival could help reintroduce the community to the theater while creating a place for filmmakers and audiences to connect through the art of storytelling. When the Capitol reopened in 2012, one of its first major events was the inaugural Snake Alley Festival of Film.
After guiding the festival through its first four years, Schuyler passed leadership to festival volunteer Tadd Good in 2015. Under Good’s direction, SNAFF continued to expand its reach and reputation, attracting filmmakers, screenwriters, and submissions from around the world while maintaining its focus to bring filmmakers and audiences together through storytelling.
Today, SNAFF is an internationally recognized celebration of short-form storytelling. Each summer, filmmakers and audiences gather for four days of screenings, screenplay table reads, filmmaker Q&As, and networking events.
The festival remains proudly rooted in the Capitol Theater. Its historic atmosphere, single-screen format, and downtown location create the intimate environment that has defined SNAFF from the beginning. It is where filmmakers are accessible, audiences are engaged, and every screening is a shared experience.
As a nonprofit organization, SNAFF is made possible through the support of local businesses, community partners, sponsors, volunteers, and film lovers who believe independent stories deserve to be seen, discussed, and celebrated.
One theater. One audience.
Every screening block takes place in the same room, bringing filmmakers and audiences together throughout the weekend. After each block, filmmakers participate in live Q&A sessions where audience members can share reactions, and gain insight into the stories they have just experienced.
For SNAFF, the Capitol is more than a venue. It is part of the experience as a restored theater built for gathering, watching, listening, and celebrating stories together.
Snake Alley itself.
When you visit, you will find the iconic Snake Alley just a quick walk from the theater.
Constructed in 1894, the one-block street has seven tight curves once intended to help horses and wagons safely maneuver their way up the steep slope.
Recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! as the crookedest street in the world, it now serves as an exciting spot for the area’s slowest joyride.
Built by film lovers.
SNAFF is led by a small team of dedicated organizers who work year-round to bring the festival to life. Behind the scenes, volunteers, judges, and community partners help create the experience that filmmakers and audiences enjoy each July.
More than 30 judges review selected films and screenplays and help determine the festival’s award winners. During the festival, volunteers assist with ticket sales, concessions, guest services, and countless other details that keep the weekend running smoothly.
Beyond the screenings, SNAFF features filmmaker Q&A sessions, live screenplay table reads, and networking opportunities for audiences and creators to connect throughout the weekend.
As a nonprofit organization, the festival is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, donors, grant partners, volunteers, and a community that believes independent stories deserve to be seen and celebrated.