The Penguin Lessons
2025-04-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 North Main St, Fairfield, IA, 52556, United States
PG-13 ‧ 2024 ‧ Drama/Comedy ‧ 1h 50m

Showtimes:
Wednesday, 4/16 | 7:00 PM
Thursday, 4/17 | 7:00 PM
Friday, 4/18 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, 4/19 | 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.
The short film Holy Calamity! by Charles-Taylen Davis will screen before the feature presentation of The Penguin Lessons at the April 18 and 19 evening showings. Seek out the creative team of Holy Calamity! in the Atrium after the feature showing to learn more about their film.
As part of our commitment to supporting local art, Cinema Fairfield occasionally features short films by area filmmakers ahead of select screenings. While each film reflects the unique vision of its creator, all selections meet our standards for technical quality and content rating. We’re proud to provide a platform for local voices — and grateful to our audience for engaging with the rich artistic spirit of our town.

The Penguin Lessons
2025-04-19 16:00 - 18:00
PG-13 ‧ 2024 ‧ Drama/Comedy ‧ 1h 50m

Showtimes:
Wednesday, 4/16 | 7:00 PM
Thursday, 4/17 | 7:00 PM
Friday, 4/18 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, 4/19 | 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

Eraserhead (1977)
2025-05-22 19:00 - 20:30
Not Rated ‧ 1977 ‧ Horror/Fantasy ‧ 1h 29m

Showtimes:
Thursday, 5/22 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. New speakers and stories every night!
See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

Henry (John Nance) resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple’s baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature that won’t stop wailing. Other characters, including a disfigured lady who lives inside a radiator, inhabit the building and add to Henry’s troubles.

Dune (1984)
2025-05-23 19:00 - 21:30
PG-13 ‧ 1984 ‧ Sci-fi/Adventure ‧ 2h 17m

Showtimes:
Friday, 5/23 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

In the year 10191, a spice called melange is the most valuable substance known in the universe, and its only source is the desert planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Paul (Kyle MacLachlan), Leto’s son, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet and its spice. Based on Frank Herbert’s epic novel.

Blue Velvet
2025-05-24 19:00 - 21:00
R ‧ 1986 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2 hours

Showtimes:
Saturday, 5/24 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns home after his father has a stroke. When he discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field, Beaumont teams up with detective’s daughter Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery. They believe beautiful lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) may be connected with the case, and Beaumont finds himself becoming drawn into her dark, twisted world, where he encounters sexually depraved psychopath Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper).

I Know Catherine, The Log Lady
2025-05-25 16:00 - 18:00
2025 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 54m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 5/25 | 4:00 PM
Sunday, 5/25 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.
Wear your best “Twin Peaks” inspired outfits and join the celebration!
I Know Catherine, The Log Lady is a touching and insightful documentary that dives into the life of Catherine E. Coulson, best known for her iconic role as the mysterious Log Lady in the TV series Twin Peaks. The film explores her personal journey, career, and the deep connection she shared with her most famous character. Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and reflections from those who worked with her, the documentary highlights Coulson’s unique talent, her love for acting, and the lasting impact of the Log Lady on fans and the world of television.

I Know Catherine, The Log Lady
2025-05-25 19:00 - 21:00
2025 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 54m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 5/25 | 4:00 PM
Sunday, 5/25 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.
Wear your best “Twin Peaks” inspired outfit and join the celebration!
I Know Catherine, The Log Lady is a touching and insightful documentary that dives into the life of Catherine E. Coulson, best known for her iconic role as the mysterious Log Lady in the TV series Twin Peaks. The film explores her personal journey, career, and the deep connection she shared with her most famous character. Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and reflections from those who worked with her, the documentary highlights Coulson’s unique talent, her love for acting, and the lasting impact of the Log Lady on fans and the world of television.

Wild at Heart
2025-05-26 19:00 - 21:15
R ‧ 1990 ‧ Crime/Romance ‧ 2h 4m

Showtimes:
Monday, 5/26 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

After serving prison time for a self-defense killing, Sailor Ripley (Nicolas Cage) reunites with girlfriend Lula Fortune (Laura Dern). Lula’s mother, Marietta (Diane Ladd), desperate to keep them apart, hires a hit man to kill Sailor. But he finds a whole new set of troubles when he and Bobby Peru (Willem Dafoe), an old buddy who’s also out to get Sailor, try to rob a store. When Sailor lands in jail yet again, the young lovers appear further than ever from the shared life they covet.

Mulholland Drive
2025-05-27 19:00 - 21:30
R ‧ 2001 ‧ Thriller/Mystery ‧ 2h 27m

Showtimes:
Tuesday, 5/27 | 7:00 PM (Bonus content begins at 6:45 PM)

David Lynch Retrospective: May 22-27
Join us for a close look at how David Lynch’s unique eye has impacted the film industry over the decades. Come early for preshow conversations with those who knew and worked with this iconic filmmaker! Preshow discussions begin at 6:45 pm each evening of the Retrospective. See the full lineup of David Lynch screenings HERE. Created in partnership with the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

A dark-haired woman (Laura Elena Harring) is left amnesiac after a car crash. She wanders the streets of Los Angeles in a daze before taking refuge in an apartment. There she is discovered by Betty (Naomi Watts), a wholesome Midwestern blonde who has come to the City of Angels seeking fame as an actress. Together, the two attempt to solve the mystery of Rita’s true identity. The story is set in a dream-like Los Angeles, spoilt neither by traffic jams nor smog.

Observer
2025-06-01 15:00 - 16:30
2025 ‧ Documentary/Travel ‧ 1h 34m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 6/1 | 3:00 PM

In OBSERVER, filmmaker Ian Cheney embarks on an experiment in which he brings a series of keen-eyed observers – scientists, artists, a hunter – to a range of locations around the world, often without telling them where they are going, and asks them simply to describe what they see.
What unfolds is a deep exploration and celebration of the power of observation: what happens when you find new ways to sense and perceive the world around you? With customary whimsy and a small painted red square that Cheney brings on every journey, the film is an invitation to viewers to find beauty and meaning in even the most quotidian of locales.

Short Film: The Land of Nothing by Amine Kouider
2025-06-07 19:30 - 21:00
Showtime:
Saturday, 6/7 | 7:30 PM
FREE ADMISSION
Local filmmaker Amine Kouider will present a special screening of The Land of Nothing, a new surrealist short film ten years in the making.
The film weaves poetic imagery and dreamlike storytelling to follow a poet’s search for his lost muse through a vibrant, colorful, and mystical landscape where the threads between worlds are thin and the boundaries of reality begin to blur.
The film was created as part of the David Lynch MFA in Filmmaking at Maharishi International University and supported by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council.
The screening will include some of Amine’s other creative work and will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmaker.

Fairfield History Series: When Maharishi Came to Town
2025-06-20 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-22 15:00 - 17:00
2025 ‧ Documentary

Showtimes:
Friday, 6/20 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, 6/21 | 7:30 PM
Sunday, 6/22 | 3:00 PM
Free Admission
The sixth in the critically-acclaimed Fairfield History Series, “When Maharishi Came to Town” continues where “Parsons” left off. It tells the story of those first years of how Maharishi International University came from California to Fairfield. No doubt, this is an integral part of our town’s history.

One to One: John & Yoko
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-28 19:00 - 21:00
R ‧ 2024 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 40m

Showtimes:
Thursday, 6/26 | 7:00 PM
Friday, 6/27 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, 6/28 | 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM

An expansive and revelatory inside look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s life in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO delivers an immersive cinematic experience that brings to life electrifying, never-before-seen material and newly restored footage of John and Yoko’s only full-length concert. Featuring mind-blowing music newly remixed and produced by Sean Ono Lennon, the film is a seismic revelation that will challenge pre-existing notions of the iconic couple.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
2025-06-29 16:00 - 17:30
PG-13 ‧ 2007 ‧ Documentary/Sport ‧ 1h 19m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 6/29 | 4:00 PM

Named “Video Game Player of the Century” in 1999, Billy Mitchell sets a record score in “Donkey Kong” that many felt would never be broken. In 2003 Steve Wiebe, who has recently lost his job, learns about the record, sets out to beat it and does. So both men embark on a cross-country battle for inclusion in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records as the supreme king of the electronic game.

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day | Q&A featuring Walter Day
2025-06-29 19:00 - 21:00
2025 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 31m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 6/29 | 7:00 PM (Q&A and Meet & Greet featuring Walter Day)
Monday, 6/30 | 7:00 PM (this screening includes closed captions)
Tuesday, 7/1 | 7:00 PM

A musical documentary following 74-year-old Walter Day, the father of esports and star of The King of Kong, as he battles a lawsuit threatening his legacy while fulfilling his dream of recording and performing the rock-opera style love songs he has been hearing in his head since having his heart broken at the height of the arcade era.
Special Appearance: Walter Day, Director Ed Cunningham & Cast Q&AJoin us after the Sunday, June 29th screening for an exclusive Q&A and Meet & Greet featuring Walter Day, Director Ed Cunningham, and several other prominent figures from the film. This one-of-a-kind hometown premiere will be packed with real-life legends featured in Arcade’s Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day — and yes, they’ll be there in person.
Join us for this star-studded celebration featuring:
Walter Day – the iconic subject of the film and founder of Twin GalaxiesEd Cunningham – award-winning filmmaker and director of the documentarySteve Sanders – arcade champ and King of Kong legendShane Harris – Twin Galaxies record holderDoug Daller – local music legend and composerTim Britton – Grammy-nominated uilleann piper and Fairfield treasure
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic night, rub elbows with gaming royalty, and celebrate a film that’s as quirky, heartfelt, and unforgettable as the man that inspired it. (And be sure to catch the screening of King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters at 4 pm!)

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day
2025-06-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-01 19:00 - 21:00
2025 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 31m

Showtimes:
Sunday, 6/29 | 7:00 PM (Q&A and Meet & Greet featuring Walter Day)
Monday, 6/30 | 7:00 PM (this screening includes closed captions)
Tuesday, 7/1 | 7:00 PM

A musical documentary following 74-year-old Walter Day – the father of esports and star of The King of Kong – as he battles a lawsuit threatening his legacy while fulfilling his dream of recording and performing the rock-opera style love songs he has been hearing in his head since having his heart broken at the height of the arcade era.

The Phoenician Scheme
2025-07-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-03 19:00 - 21:00
PG-13 ‧ 2025 ‧ Comedy/Adventure ‧ 1h 45m

Showtimes:
Wednesday, 7/2 | 7:00 PM
Thursday, 7/3 | 7:00 PM

Wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.

Materialists
2025-07-05 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-06 19:00 - 21:00
R ‧ 2025 ‧ Romance/Comedy ‧ 1h 49m

Showtimes:
Saturday, 7/5 | 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, 7/6 | 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM

A young New York City matchmaker’s lucrative business gets complicated as she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.

Spirited Away
2025-07-28 19:00 - 21:15
PG ‧ 2001 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 2h 5m

Showtimes:
Monday, 7/28 | 7:00 PM

In this animated feature by noted Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, 10-year-old Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) and her parents (Takashi Naitô, Yasuko Sawaguchi) stumble upon a seemingly abandoned amusement park. After her mother and father are turned into giant pigs, Chihiro meets the mysterious Haku (Miyu Irino), who explains that the park is a resort for supernatural beings who need a break from their time spent in the earthly realm, and that she must work there to free herself and her parents.
