2025 Twin Cities Film Fest
Sweet 16 Never Looked So Cinematic!
Join us October 16–25, 2025 as the Twin Cities Film Fest celebrates 16 years of storytelling, community, and cinematic excellence! This milestone year promises bold new voices, unforgettable screenings, and events that honor the filmmakers, audiences, and supporters who’ve shaped our journey.
Exciting news: This year, we’re expanding! In addition to Marcus West End Cinema, screenings and events will now also take place at Edina Mann Theatre, giving you more ways to experience the magic of the festival.
Whether you’ve been with us since year one or this is your first fest, our Sweet 16 will be one to remember.
Passes AND tickets are now live and available for purchase!
2025 Special Celebrity Guests
NOTE: Celebrities are in attendance of their premiering films, along with other cast and crew.
Locations
Marcus West End Cinema
1625 West End Blvd. St Louis Park, MN 55416
Edina Mann Theatre
3911 W 50th St, Edina MN 55424
Festival Tickets
Spotlight in-person: $30
General in-person: $15
Online: $10
NOTE: Select online and in-person films are free.
Festival Passes
Streams Pass: All online films
Silver Pass: 5 GA tickets
Gold Pass: 8 GA tickets
Platinum Pass: 12 GA tickets
Spotlight Pass: 6 Spotlight tickets
Festival Lounge
The 2025 Twin Cities Film Fest Lounge will be located at the Shops at West End in St Louis Park, nextdoor to Marcus West End Cinema. Attendees and guests can stop in before or after a film to network, enjoy hosted beverages, snacks, entertainments, music, sponsor activations, and more! Each night has something a little different, fun, and exciting going on!
Thank you to our 2025 TCFF beverage, and in-kind sponsors: Anheuser Busch/Stella, BLNCD, Park Tavern, Total Wine & More, General Mills/Nature Valley, Hippeas, Wiley Wallaby, Sweet Chaos. More to be announced.
Festival Educational Panels & Events
Sign up to several educational panels/events occurring during the first Saturday and Sunday of the 2025 Twin Cities Film Fest!
Thank you to Raymond J. Christensen and FilmNorth for sponsoring the 2025 TCFF educational panels/events.
Saturday, October 18
Series Fest: Industry Panel
12:00-12:45PM
Edina Mann Theatre
3911 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55424
Twin Cities Film Fest ‘Industry Panel’ will cover a wide array of topics such as film production, distribution, exhibition, careers, and current industry trends.
Moderator: Lauren Grimshaw Sloan (Director of Artist Development at SeriesFest) | Panelists: Teri Weinberg (former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment), Christine Dávila (Head of TV at Mucho Más Media), and Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)
Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation
Saturday, October 18
Series Fest: Pitch-A-Thon!
1:15-2:15PM
Edina Mann Theatre
3911 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55424
SeriesFest’s Pitch-A-Thon! is bringing its dynamic live pitching competition to the Twin Cities Film Fest! Come watch and support Minnesota Creators as they pitch their ‘dream’ shows in this one-of-a-kind event!
Selected creators will have five minutes to pitch their original series to a panel of top industry professionals, followed by seven minutes of live feedback. Each participant also receives expert pitch coaching prior to the event to refine their presentation and make the most of this high-exposure opportunity.
One winner will be chosen by our expert panel at the conclusion of the live event. The winning pitch receives one 1 pass to SeriesFest: Season 12 (May 6–10, 2026) and 1 round-trip flight to Denver, courtesy of Twin Cities Film Fest!
Pitch-A-Thon Contestants: Margaret Katch, Mikah Meyer, and Tapan Sharma
Moderator: Lauren Grimshaw Sloan (Director of Artist Development at SeriesFest)| Panelists: Teri Weinberg (former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment), Christine Dávila (Head of TV at Mucho Más Media), and Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)
Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation
Sunday, October 19
Independent Television Masterclass w/Kit Williamson
12:00-1:00PM
FilmNorth
2441 University Ave W Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55114
Filmmaker Kit Williamson breaks down the process of making an independent television series, from development to distribution, and shares his own experiences selling his Emmy-winning series “EastSiders” to Netflix and his new indie series “Unconventional” to the LGBTQ+ streaming service Revry.
This masterclass will explore the current state of independently financed TV shows, their role in helping tell stories outside of the traditional network pipeline, and the viability of this model in the future. The class will be followed by a Q&A where filmmakers can seek advice about their own projects.
Speaker: Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)
Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation and Film North
Sunday, October 19
Masterclass Fair Use in Documentary Film Production: Navigating Legal and Creative Boundaries
1:30-2:30PM
FilmNorth
2441 University Ave W Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55114
In this practical class, filmmakers will learn how to legally and creatively use third-party materials—like archival footage, photos, music, and interviews—within documentary films. Through real-world examples and case studies, you’ll explore the fundamentals of fair use, understand when to license vs. claim fair use, and learn best practices to protect your work from legal risks.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the four factors of fair use and how they apply to documentaries.
- Learn when licensing is necessary and when fair use applies.
- Gain strategies to use copyrighted materials ethically and effectively.
- Build confidence in navigating legal clearances while preserving creative integrity.
Perfect for documentary filmmakers, producers, and storytellers looking to create impactful films that stay legally sound.
Panelists: Aaron C. Young, JD, LLM
Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation and Film North
Our Series
TCFF has several different series. Note: Not all accepted films will fall into a series listed below.
CHANGEMAKER
This series includes films devoted to addressing a particular topic in the world each year. This year, the Changemaker Series will focus on domestic abuse, showcasing films that confront the realities of abuse, honor the resilience of survivors, and encourage dialogue around prevention, support, and change.
CODE RED
The CODE RED Series features powerful, emotionally eye-opening documentaries that confront the urgent realities of climate change. From the coal industry to the depths of the ocean, these films uncover the many layers of our changing world—sparking awareness, reflection, and action.
HER
The HER Series celebrates films by women, about women, for women, highlighting stories that inspire empowerment both within the film industry and beyond. From personal journeys of love, loss, and resilience to tales of triumph and discovery, these films showcase the full spectrum of women’s experiences—sparking conversation, connection, and change.
EMPOWER
The EMPOWER Series showcases films and documentaries by BIPOC filmmakers, highlighting powerful stories that illuminate the challenges, triumphs, and resilience of communities of color. These films invite audiences to engage with pressing social issues, celebrate extraordinary individual journeys, and reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equality.
OUT
The OUT Series features films that celebrate LGBTQ+ stories and voices. From heartfelt documentaries exploring the journey of coming out and confronting inequality, to hilarious comedies and everything in between, these films highlight the diversity, resilience, and joy of LGBTQ+ experiences.
BLACK ON SCREEN
The BLACK ON SCREEN Series features films by Black filmmakers that tell powerful stories of Black lives, celebrate culture and identity, and highlight the triumphs and challenges of the community. These films aim to inspire, empower, and foster understanding while addressing racial disparities.
MN-Connected
The MN-Connected Series showcases films with strong Minnesota ties—whether filmed in the state, produced or directed by a Minnesotan, or featuring a native Minnesotan in a lead role. Celebrate the creativity and stories coming out of Minnesota and see the talent our state has to offer!
Studio
The Studio Films series features award-winning contenders and highly anticipated releases from major studios. Experience these films on the big screen before they hit theaters, and be among the first to see the next wave of cinematic hits.
