Despite challenging fiscal roadblocks that face countless independent films today, Waterdog Films was able to produce this feature film, in part, through Iowa tax incentives. The Iowa incentives, currently on hold, were also used for the Sundance premiered Sugar, which won national attention and went on to a theatrical release. 16 to Life is the second film produced under the tax incentive.

Smith says, “I can say with certainty that we would not have been able to make this film on location, in Iowa, without the tax incentives. There is enormous talent in the Midwest, and great interest in filmmaking – so I hope that the program can be reinstated in some form.”

Executive producer Terry Trimpe addresses the challenges of getting independent films distributed. He says, “While it is difficult for independent film producers to get a film produced today, it’s more challenging to get it distributed. We feel quite fortunate to have been able to create the opportunities with Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas and California theaters to show the film in its quest for national distribution.”

The ensemble cast is replete with familiar and fresh faces. Halle Hirsh (ER, You’ve Got Mail) plays Kate; Mandy Musgrave (South of Nowhere) portrays Darby; film veteran Theresa Russell (The Last Tycoon, Spiderman III) is Louise. Rounding out the cast is newcomer Shiloh Fernandez (The Girl with The Red Riding Hood, United States of Tara) who plays Rene and Jamie Gomez (Nash Bridges, Crimson Tide) as Ronald. Style guru and television personality Carson Kressley makes a cameo in the independent feature and also serves as one of the movie’s producers. Filmed entirely in Iowa (McGregor, Marquette and Stone City) the writer-director’s native state, 16 to Life has secured international attention winning six “Best Feature” awards at film festivals around the globe. Acting accolades were also bestowed upon Hirsh (Best Actress) and Russell (Best Supporting Actress).

The first feature length film directed by Smith, 16 to Life was a labor of love that often had Smith wearing multiple hats—writer, producer, director. Smith says, “I’ve been working in film and television for more than 15 years, and this was the best experience I’ve had, working in a beautiful place on a story I believe in, with a very talented group of people.”

16 to Life has been the darling of film festivals throughout the States and abroad. The feature has garnered six “Best Feature” awards from prestigious panels including: Landlocked Film Fest (Iowa), Methodfest (Los Angeles), Kansas Film Festival (Kansas), Asheville Film Festival (North Carolina), Tunisian International Film Festiva (Tuni), Toronto Female Eye Film Fest (Canada) and Iowa Motion Picture Association. The honors were compounded with two “Best Actress” nods for Halle Hirsh and a “Best Supporting Actress” honor to Theresa Russell.

Becky Smith is an Emmy-nominated director (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). She received her Masters Degree in film from Stanford University and is an alumna of the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women. The Okoboji, Iowa native is a faculty member at the UCLA Film School and currently resides in Los Angeles.