SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2026 FESTIVAL
April 22 - 26, 2026SAVE THE DATE
April 22-26, 2026
Zeitgeist’s Minnesota Film Festival (ZMFF) will take place April 22 – 26, 2026 in person at the Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community, Zeitgeist Arts Building and surrounding venues in Duluth, MN!
ZMFF will consist of a variety of local, national, and international films, post-film conversations and Q&As with filmmakers, and grant cash awards.
Zeitgeist’s Minnesota Film Festival is passionate about programming films from filmmakers that are working in their own communities. We are excited about films that are being made with limited budgets, from small towns, and from resourceful filmmakers.
We focus on highlighting filmmakers and stories from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the greater Midwest.
COMMUNITY CENTERED: Building and nurturing a thriving film and media arts community is important to us. In order to connect more with the community, we have established community partnerships with organizations that have a strong foothold across a diverse range of people in the region. Through these partnerships, we aim to prioritize artists who have historically been denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION: We judge films solely based on their artistic and creative expression not on the resources they were drawn from. We look for films as art, evocative of reflection and response.
We invite filmmakers to submit innovative works that do not adhere to conventional storytelling techniques.
I really loved this festival…The programming was well done, the talks were interesting and engaging, the networking events were fun and the location was amazing…Highly recommend this festival to local and international filmmakers.
PITCH COMPETITION
The Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival (ZMFF) Pitch Competition is an annual competition takes place during the ZMFF April 22-26, 2026 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.
Awards & Prizes:
- Short Film Pitch – First Prize $1000, Runner Up $500
- Feature Narrative Pitch – First Prize $3000, Runner Up $500
- Feature Documentary Pitch – First Prize $3000, Runner Up $500
- MN Filmmaker Pitch – First Prize $3000, Runner Up $500
- Indigenous Filmmaker Pitch – First Prize $3000, Runner Up $500
For more details or to submit to the Pitch Competition, visit our FilmFreeway page HERE. Have questions? Email beth@zeitgeistarts.com
PASSES & TICKETING
Minnesota Film Festival 2026 All Access Passes on sale beginning November 27th!
Individual Tickets on sale April 1, 2026!
What are Pass Benefits?
- Invitation to the Preview Party on March 25, 2026.
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Access to all Film Screenings and having first pick before individual tickets go on sale.
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Access to all special events including the Pitch Competition, Panels, Presentation, Comedy Night, Spotlight Celebration, Networking Events and all the parties!
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Access to the Filmmaker Lounge, where there is coffee and light snacks!
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A small popcorn!
Who should purchase a pass?
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Anyone who wants priority access to reserving tickets to screenings and events!
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Anyone who is a film and storytelling enthusiast!
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Anyone in the film industry or is interested in learning about our growing film industry in NE MN!
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Anyone who loves a bargain!
ZMFF All Access Pass Prices:
- Black Friday – Cyber Monday – $70
- Early bird, December 2 – February 20 – $80
- Regular, February 21 – April 26 – $100
- Student – $35
Individual Ticket Prices:
- $15 Regular Screenings
- $20 Special Screenings (Opening Night, Friday Feature Focus, Saturday Spotlight Screening)
- $40 Awards Ceremony & Party
- $12 – $20 Other Special Events
Individual tickets to screenings and events will be available to reserve beginning April 1, 2026. Passholders will have access to reserve tickets beginning March 25, 2026.
Questions? Reach out to boxoffice@zeitgeistarts.com
2026 Press Pass Form
Interested in covering the 2026 Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival? (April 22-26, 2026)
Press Passholders get:
• 1 Ticket to ZMFF Screenings
• Access to ZMFF Parties and Panel Discussions (Some restrictions may apply)
• Please submit your application through the link below ASAP (Deadline March 6th)
2026 Student Pass Form
Hey students! Fill out this form to get a super “secret” promo code for an All Access Festival Pass!
Student Passholders get:
• 1 Ticket to ZMFF Screenings
• Access to ZMFF Parties and Panel Discussions (Some restrictions may apply)
• 1 FREE Small Popcorn
• Please submit your application through the link below
ATTEND
Partner Hotels
THE INN ON LAKE SUPERIOR
The INN on Lake Superior welcomes the Minnesota Film Festival guests!
Call 218-726-1111 and ask for the MN Film Festival.
Rates are $160.00 – $199.00. Make your reservation by April 6, 2026.
Use this map to find food and drink options in downtown Duluth during the Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival! You may stumble across some others while you are in town, but here is a place to start!
SUBMIT YOUR FILM OR PITCH TODAY!
Film Submission Deadlines
December 19, 2025 – Late Deadline
February 6, 2026 – Notification Date
Pitch Submission Deadlines
December 19, 2025 – Late Deadline
February 6, 2026 – Notification Date
2025 FUNDERS & PARTNERS
PAST PROGRAMMING
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
OPERATIONS TEAM:
These volunteers are the front lines of the Festival, and are MFF ambassadors. For many of the festival guests, you will be the first face they see. The various roles include but are not limited to: Greeter, Usher, Ticket Checker, and Runners.
Responsibilities: This position is perfect for friendly and welcoming people who can solve simple issues such as answering questions, handing out ballots, check tickets, and controlling traffic flow.
STREET TEAM:
Do you like to get out in the community? Do you like to get to know area businesses? Then the Street Team is an excellent place to volunteer!
Responsibilities: Distribute posters and rack cards to area businesses.
TRANSPORTATION:
****You must be at least 25 years old, have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and your own vehicle. You should have the maturity to be able to talk with passengers when needed but also the discretion to leave them be when needed. We will reimburse gas receipts.