JOIN US FOR THE 2025 FESTIVAL

March 19 - 23, 2025

WHERE LOCAL AND GLOBAL STORIES COME TOGETHER

March 19-23, 2025

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!

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.

Ryan Stopera, Filmmaker

MFF IS THE HOME FOR FUTURE STORYTELLING

The MFF Pitch Competition is an annual competition held during MFF, where emerging filmmakers from across the Midwest have ten minutes to pitch their next film concepts, or works-in-progress, for financial support.

Ten participants present their projects to a panel of judges in front of festival attendees. The judges panel is composed of filmmakers and industry professionals, who will offer constructive feedback to all participants.

For more details or to submit to the Pitch Competition, visit our FilmFreeway page HERE. The deadline to submit is January 3, 2025! Have questions? Email vera@zeitgeistarts.com.

PAST PROGRAMMING

STAY UP-TO-DATE!

Sign up for the Zinema Newsletter

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

SUBMIT YOUR FILM OR PITCH TODAY!

Film Submission Deadlines

October 4, 2024 – Early Bird Deadline

November 8, 2024 – Regular Deadline

December 13, 2024 – Extended Deadline

Pitch Submission Deadlines

November 8, 2024 – Early Bird Deadline

December 13, 2024 – Regular Deadline

January 3, 2025 – Extended Deadline

FUNDERS & PARTNERS

Blandin Foundation
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Saint Louis County Minnesota
Blandin Foundation
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
UMFO
Northland Special Events
AICHO
MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Minnesota Public Radio
Saint Louis County Minnesota
Twin Ports APIDA Collection
MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Twin Ports APIDA Collection
Saint Louis County Minnesota
MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Twin Ports APIDA Collection
Saint Louis County Minnesota

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Volunteers are broken down into teams, with varying responsibilities. You’re welcome to join one or many of the teams based on your interests.
SCREENING TEAM:

We are looking for people who love film, who would be willing to spend 3-4 hours a week watching film submissions and sharing their valuable thoughts. Don’t have experience? No worries! We will provide a critique guide and build film analysis skills. The bigger the mix the better the group!

Responsibilities: Watch 3-4 hours of content a week as assigned. Typically this will be a mixture of short films and a feature film (or two if they’re on the shorter side). You will rate and provide feedback on each film with a rubric we provide.

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN IS THE 2025 MINNESOTA FILM FESTIVAL?

MARCH 19-23, 2025.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE MINNESOTA FILM FESTIVAL?

Feature Films, Short Films, the Pitch Competition, Panels, and events! To have complete access to the festival, consider an All Access Pass for $75.

WHEN WILL PASSES AND TICKETS GO ON SALE?

Ticketing information will be announced soon!

HOW DO I USE MY PASS?

To reserve tickets with your pass, sign into your account with your Pass Number/Email Address and password. Once signed in, browse the films and reserve your films via PASS REDEMPTION. Add to cart and remember to checkout!

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT. NOW WHAT?

The rush line! When a film is sold out, we will then start the rush line. It’s first come first serve in person. Anyone late to a screening risks the chance of their ticket being sold to the rush line 10 minutes after the start of the screening. 

WHERE WILL THE FILMS BE SCREENED AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE?

The majority of the films will take place at Zeitgeist in Duluth, Minnesota.

WHEN WILL THE LINEUP BE ANNOUNCED?

Stay tuned for more information!

I’M A STUDENT, WHAT CAN I GET?

Students have access to a discounted general ticket of $12 or All Access Pass for $25. 

FESTIVAL POLICIES

LATE SEATING

Late seating will be at the discretion of the house manager. All patrons must be in their seats by 10 minutes after the start of the scheduled screening time.

RUSH LINE

If a film is sold out, a first come, first served Rush Line will begin. If there are open seats 10 minutes after the start of the screening time, an usher will count open available seats. That amount of tickets will then be sold to the first people in the rush line.

EXCHANGES

We can only exchange a ticket for another film event during the festival week BEFORE the screening takes place.

REFUNDS

All sales are final, however we may be able to provide a refund on a case-by-case basis. Please contact a manager if you have questions.

Zeitgeist is made possible with your help