Last weekend, the MPI Original feature Motherland won the Best Cast Ensemble award and was one of the three nominated films for Best Feature at the 2025 Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) in Dubuque, Iowa. Ranked among the top 25 film festivals globally by MovieMaker magazine, JDIFF celebrates emerging filmmakers from around the world, bringing diverse, world-class entertainment to the heart of the Midwest.

Motherland’s star-studded cast includes Tony Award winner Miriam Silverman (The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window), legendary Emmy-winning actress Holland Taylor (The Morning Show, Hollywood), Emmy Award winner Néstor Carbonell (Shōgun, The Morning Show), and newcomer Emily Arancio. 

If you’d like to learn more about the film and delve deeper into its making, check out this in-depth interview with director Evan Matthews featured in PopSize, where he shares insights about the film.Stay up-to-date on all Motherland news by following the film on Instagram and Facebook.