The Minnesota Film Festival (MFF) shines a light on local films, Indigenous voices, stories from across the midwest, and beyond! Held annually each Spring at the Zeitgeist’s Zinema, MFF brings together film lovers and filmmakers.

MFF champions local talent alongside international films to bridge communities through new perspectives. Throughout the week, guests can look forward to film screenings, post-film conversations with film guests, community events, networking opportunities, parties, and more!

Festival Schedule

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Opening Ceremony & Honor Song

Zeitgeist Atrium

6:00 PM

Join us in opening up the 4th annual Minnesota Film Festival with a special ceremony led by a local drum group! Included with a ticket to the Opening Night screening of Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure.

Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure

Zinema 1

7:00 PM

Embark on an epic journey with four adventurous spirits as they undertake the ultimate test of endurance and determination. Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure follows their incredible quest to paddle the entire 2,340 miles of the Mississippi River in a single 23-foot canoe, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time down the river. They paddle 24/7 for over 2 weeks, eating, sleeping, and even going to the bathroom in the canoe. Supported by a dedicated crew of over 20 people and two trailing support boats, they receive a constant stream of supplies and encouragement, fueling their drive to break the record. Their journey captures the imagination of over a million followers on social media, with cheering fans lining the riverbanks, sharing in every triumph and setback. This exhilarating and inspiring documentary shows it’s not about conquering the river—it's about moving in harmony with its flow. Will the Mississippi River allow them to break the record?

Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure

Zinema 2

7:00 PM

Embark on an epic journey with four adventurous spirits as they undertake the ultimate test of endurance and determination. Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure follows their incredible quest to paddle the entire 2,340 miles of the Mississippi River in a single 23-foot canoe, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time down the river. They paddle 24/7 for over 2 weeks, eating, sleeping, and even going to the bathroom in the canoe. Supported by a dedicated crew of over 20 people and two trailing support boats, they receive a constant stream of supplies and encouragement, fueling their drive to break the record. Their journey captures the imagination of over a million followers on social media, with cheering fans lining the riverbanks, sharing in every triumph and setback. This exhilarating and inspiring documentary shows it’s not about conquering the river—it's about moving in harmony with its flow. Will the Mississippi River allow them to break the record?

Toast & Opening Night Party

Zeitgeist Atrium

9:00 PM

Join us at the Zeitgeist Restaurant to celebrate the beginning of a cinematic adventure! Included with a ticket to the Opening Night screening of Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Pitch Competition

Zeitgeist Teatro

3:00 PM

The MFF Pitch Competition is an annual competition takes place during the Minnesota Film Festival (MFF) March 19-23, 2025 in person at the Zeitgeist Arts Center in Duluth, MN, where emerging filmmakers from across the Midwest have ten minutes to pitch their next film concepts, or works-in-progress, for financial support to a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals. Free to attend, reserve your spot in advance.

MN Media Art School Shorts

Zinema 1

5:15 PM

Films created and supported by MN Media Arts School students.

Performance Shorts

Zinema 2

5:30 PM

Powerful performances and a look into the worlds around them.

The Current Reception for Venus of Mars

Zeitgeist Atrium

6:00 PM

Kick off the excitement of the Minnesota Film Festival with an exclusive pre-screening reception hosted by Minnesota Public Radio, The Current! Included with a ticket to the screening of Venus of Mars.

Venus Of Mars

Zinema 1

7:00 PM

A transgender pioneer and her wife negotiate the frontiers of love and gender in Emily Goldberg’s award-winning 2003 documentary.

Horror Shorts

Zinema 2

7:30 PM

Films curated across the genre to make you laugh and shriek!

Venus de Mars Acoustic Performance

Zeitgeist Teatro

9:30 PM

Venus is bringing her music talent back to her hometown of Duluth in this special performance.

Flaming Thursday Party!

The Flame Nightclub

10:30 PM

Join us for Karaoke and dancing at The Flame (28 N 1st Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802) for a mid-week celebration of the festival! Free to attend!

Friday, March 21, 2025

Pitch Competition

Zeitgeist Teatro

1:00 PM

The MFF Pitch Competition is an annual competition takes place during the Minnesota Film Festival (MFF) March 19-23, 2025 in person at the Zeitgeist Arts Center in Duluth, MN, where emerging filmmakers from across the Midwest have ten minutes to pitch their next film concepts, or works-in-progress, for financial support to a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals. Free to attend, reserve your spot in advance.

Filmmaker Happy Hour

Blacklist Brewing Co.

3:00 PM

The perfect opportunity to meet local and visiting filmmakers, network, share ideas, and enjoy the company of other festival attendees. Hosted by UMFO. Free to attend, reserve your spot in advance.

Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure

Zinema 1

3:00 PM

Embark on an epic journey with four adventurous spirits as they undertake the ultimate test of endurance and determination. Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure follows their incredible quest to paddle the entire 2,340 miles of the Mississippi River in a single 23-foot canoe, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time down the river. They paddle 24/7 for over 2 weeks, eating, sleeping, and even going to the bathroom in the canoe. Supported by a dedicated crew of over 20 people and two trailing support boats, they receive a constant stream of supplies and encouragement, fueling their drive to break the record. Their journey captures the imagination of over a million followers on social media, with cheering fans lining the riverbanks, sharing in every triumph and setback. This exhilarating and inspiring documentary shows it’s not about conquering the river—it's about moving in harmony with its flow. Will the Mississippi River allow them to break the record?

Momentous Shorts

Zinema 2

3:15 PM

Stories that capture the outcome of events that shift the future.

The Fishing Hat Bandit

Zinema 1

5:00 PM

He was known as “the Fishing Hat Bandit” when he robbed 23 banks in Minnesota over 18 months in the early 2000s. Finally caught, imprisoned, and now free, John Whitrock’s story unfolds in utterly surprising ways in director Mark Brown’s riveting documentary.

Lake Superior Writers Presentation: Table Read Done Write!

Zeitgeist Teatro

5:30 PM

Learn how to organize your table read. Get notes on presentational structure. See and hear why table reads are so important for writers!

The Voice Of Greenland

Zinema 2

5:30 PM

Rasmus Lyberth went from being an unpopular speaker of taboos to almost a Nordic cult figure celebrated as Greenland’s greatest singer/songwriter. At 70, he decides to honor his faithful audience with a magnificent concert in Nuuk.

Misericordia

Zinema 1

7:00 PM

A sharp, sinister, yet slyly funny thriller that follows the meandering exploits of Jérémie, an out-of-work baker who has drifted back to his hometown after the death of his beloved former boss.

Our Stories

The Depot - Theater

7:00 PM

Highlighting stories from local artists in our community.

Audrey

Zinema 2

7:30 PM

Self-appointed Mother of the Year, Ronnie has given her daughter Audrey everything, so when Audrey selfishly falls into a coma, Ronnie has no choice but to keep their dreams alive by assuming her identity.

For God's Sake Wake Her Up

Zinema 1

9:15 PM

Haunted by guilt after her mother's death, Rizz and her loyal friend Myles flee the funeral, stumbling upon a deserted house in a rough part of town. Inside, they find April, trapped in a nightmarish cycle of sleep paralysis by a malevolent generational entity. To redeem herself and save April, Rizz must unravel the chilling secrets hidden within April's video diaries. Racing against the relentless demonic entity, Rizz puts everything at risk, including Myles, to break the supernatural cycle.

Queer Gaze Shorts

Zinema 2

9:30 PM

Stories told from and about the 2LGBTQAI+ experience.

The Reel Comedy Special

Zeitgeist Teatro

10:00 PM

Season 3 of the wildly popular variety comedy show returns with sketch comedy, silly videos, improv, and lots of other shenanigans. Debuting at the Minnesota Film Festival, The Reel Comedy Show takes aim at all things cinema. With a mix of sketch comedy, silly films, improv, and lots of shenanigans this show will leave you star-struck.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Join Or Die

Zinema 1

11:00 AM

Follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.

Indigenous Shorts

Zinema 2

12:00 PM

Stories from Indigenous and First Nation filmmakers.

Freelancing 101: Making a Living in Film

Zeitgeist Teatro

1:00 PM

MN Made Shorts

Zinema 1

1:30 PM

A collection of shorts from filmmakers across Minnesota.

Ultimate Citizens

Zinema 2

2:30 PM

Mr. Jamshid is the charismatic, fiery, and funny guidance counselor in Seattle Public Schools, helping the children of immigrants and refugees find belonging as they train to compete in the world’s largest Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.

Decolonizing Our Youth

AICHO

3:00 PM

As the world strives toward truth and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples of many cultures that have been devastated by centuries of forced colonization, efforts are underway to regain the culture, pride, and narratives through a process called “decolonization”. Educating our young people has the utmost importance in all cultures and this documentary film strives to show that rethinking how we teach children can be a truly amazing way to set a new future for Indigenous people and students from all cultures. This film’s director Lyndon Suntjens is from the Goodfish Lake First Nation and an expert in childhood education from Canada who has taken his First Nations teenage students back to their roots with land based education which engages their heart, mind, and soul. Follow along with Lyndon as he takes the viewer on a student’s journey to learn the important lessons of their Elders and the land they walk upon, while providing a modern education that links to these amazing experiences.

Inside the Festival Circuit: What Programmers Want

Zeitgeist Teatro

3:30 PM

This panel brings together experienced film festival programmers to share insider knowledge on the submission process, what makes a film stand out, common mistakes to avoid, and how programming decisions are made. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a festival veteran, this panel will give you the tools to navigate the festival circuit with confidence.

Village Keeper

Zinema 1

3:45 PM

Jean lives in constant fear of everything that could go wrong, going to great lengths to shelter her children. When a spree of violence comes to her doorstep, it leads her on a path that exposes generational chains of silence, self-discovery and finally putting herself first.

Time & Place Shorts

Zinema 2

4:30 PM

Films that look at our realtionships to spaces, our past, and our future.

Boundary Waters

The Depot - Theater

5:00 PM

Suspenseful, tender and rapturous, Boundary Waters is a lyrical coming of age drama that immerses in its young characters as they navigate a very adult world. Set in the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, Michael Murray relishes in the carefree joys of early adolescence - girls and friends - until his mom has a black eye and a busted lip, but won’t talk about it. Michael is desperate to know what happened but his father Brian avoids him, Granny shushes him, and his usually resilient mother can’t get out of bed. While his family weighs the cost of keeping secrets against the price of telling the truth, Michael is determined to unravel the mystery of his hurt mother and his elusive father.

The Dim

Zinema 1

5:35 PM

When the relationship between Troy and Lisa, a Native American couple, deteriorates into toxic shambles, Troy stumbles upon an inter-dimensional object that turns out to be more a curse than a blessing to himself, and everyone around him.

The Spotlight Celebration + Awards Ceremony

The Depot - Great Hall

7:00 PM

Join us at The Depot Great Hall to celebrate another fabulous festival and to honor a diverse group of filmmakers for their accomplishments. During the festivities we’ll be announcing the winners of the film awards and giving out almost $20,000 in grant awards.

Francophile Shorts

Zinema 2

7:20 PM

A collection of French language films that will leave you charmed.

Sunday, March 23, 2025

MN Media Art School Shorts

Zinema 2

11:00 AM

Films created and supported by MN Media Arts School students.

MinnAnimate x MFF Mixtape

Zinema 1

11:30 AM

Animated films from the MFF submissions mixed with the 2024 MinnAnimate program!

Our Stories

Zinema 2

1:30 PM

Highlighting stories from local artists in our community.

Waves

Zinema 1

2:30 PM

Prague, 1968. As Prague Spring uprises, secret services target the radio station where Tomáš works. He must protect his revolutionary brother and finds himself obliged to face History - especially when the radio broadcasts a confidential record.

Boundary Waters

Zinema 2

4:00 PM

Suspenseful, tender and rapturous, Boundary Waters is a lyrical coming of age drama that immerses in its young characters as they navigate a very adult world. Set in the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, Michael Murray relishes in the carefree joys of early adolescence - girls and friends - until his mom has a black eye and a busted lip, but won’t talk about it. Michael is desperate to know what happened but his father Brian avoids him, Granny shushes him, and his usually resilient mother can’t get out of bed. While his family weighs the cost of keeping secrets against the price of telling the truth, Michael is determined to unravel the mystery of his hurt mother and his elusive father.

Closing Day Celebration

Carmody Irish Pub

5:00 PM

Cheers to great cinema! Join us at Carmody Irish Pub after the closing day films to celebrate our festival week. Free to attend, reserve your spot in advance.

Buy Tickets

Date: March 19-23, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Duluth, MN

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