The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival has always been where deeply personal stories find a powerful platform, and Standout: The Ben Kjar Story is no exception. This stirring documentary follows Ben Kjar, a wrestler born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. Kjar transformed a life of adversity into one of purpose, connection, and triumph. From his earliest days, Ben was told he’d face constant limitations, but instead of shrinking into the background, he chose to stand out.
The film’s director, Tanner Christensen, had a unique perspective on the story. He’s known Ben since they were teenagers and always believed his journey should be told on screen. Decades later, with the opportunity to direct a feature documentary, there was no question that Ben’s story was the one to tell. “As we went through production, we found his journey to be even more inspiring and impactful than we had initially imagined,” Christensen said.
While wrestling is the story’s backdrop, the film focuses on how love, support, and perseverance can create meaningful change. Audiences have responded with overwhelming emotion, often sharing how the film challenged them to rethink their lives and struggles. It’s not just about sports or overcoming odds; embracing what makes us different can lead to something far more significant than “fitting in.”
That message came with real challenges in production. With little archival footage available, the team needed to recreate pivotal moments from Ben’s childhood. Finding a young actor who could play Ben authentically was nearly impossible until a local family reached out through social media. Their five-year-old son, Colton Fielding, who also has Crouzon Syndrome and bore a striking resemblance to young Ben, stepped into the role with a natural grace that surprised even the filmmakers. The casting process was equally unconventional. Most of the supporting roles were filled by people from Ben’s life, family, friends, and community members who had walked through these chapters with him. That authenticity gave the film a raw emotional texture that’s hard to fake. For scenes involving sensitive material, especially those with young Colton, the team used creative techniques to protect the child actor while still capturing the emotional truth of Ben’s story.
The film benefited from two powerhouse producers: acclaimed cinematographer T.C. Christensen, ASC, and Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess. Both brought a depth of storytelling experience and creative mentorship that helped shape the film’s emotional arc. Their influence and Christensen’s background in editing gave the documentary its distinct balance of heart and cinematic strength.
Although the story isn’t set in Iowa, its connection to the Midwest runs deep. Ben’s wrestling career brought him face-to-face with opponents from across the region, including Iowa, and his time at the University of Oklahoma under coach Jack Spates, who appears in the film, solidifies that connection.
For the filmmakers, JDIFF was an intentional and meaningful choice. “We know Iowa is wrestling country,” Christensen explained. “We hoped audiences in Dubuque would connect with the story not just through sport but through shared values, resilience, heart, and pride in standing up for who you are.”
Being part of the JDIFF lineup is an honor the team doesn’t take lightly. “This festival has such a great reputation for bringing independent stories to the forefront,” Christensen said. “Ben and I are looking forward to being in Dubuque, meeting other filmmakers, seeing some great films, and engaging with the thoughtful audience the festival attracts annually.”
Standout: The Ben Kjar Story is one of many powerful projects featured at this year’s Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. As the festival continues to champion bold voices in independent cinema, it’s the perfect destination for filmmakers looking to share meaningful stories and for audiences eager to discover them. JDIFF offers an unforgettable experience rooted in heart, community, and creative excellence. To get passes to this year’s screenings or to submit for the 15th Anniversary festival, go to julienfilmfest.com.
