MN Film Fest returns brings thrillers, Venus de Mars, and Indigenous filmmakers to Duluth
The 2025 lineup features local films, Indigenous voices, rock docs, and other cinematic work from around the Midwest.
MFF will get started on March 19 with the documentary Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure (2024), which follows paddlers traversing the length of the river.
While it'll play again later in the festival, the opening night screenings will include appearances from filmmakers Alex Maier and Amy Robin-Maier, as well as some of the subjects of the film.
The festival, which launched in 2022 as the North By North International Film Festival, also features parties, discussions, a pitch competition, a panel on making a living in the film industry, a filmmaker happy hour, and other events that complement the cinematic programming. Importantly, it also offers student filmmakers an opportunity to be seen and to experience a festival.
Other highlights include Venus of Mars (2003), a documentary about Venus de Mars, the pioneering transgender musician (All the Pretty Horses), and wife Lynette Reini-Grandell,. The fest will have director Emily Goldberg, de Mars, and author Reini-Grandell in attendance for the screening.
Other events include a screening of horror short films, a documentary on Greenland-based songwriter Rasmus Lyberth, Pete and Rebecca Davis' 2023 documentary on the decline of civic engagement, a showcase of short films by Indigenous filmmakers, and lots more.
The full lineup can be seen on the MN Film Fest website, where tickets can be purchased for films and events that run from March 19–23.
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