Wild Horse Nine, One in a Million, Superconscious named best in class; A Month in Minnesota, Jane’s Not Here, Tangled Roots top audience favorites. Frances Fisher receives the TCFF Lifetime Achievement Award.
St. Louis Park, Minn. (October 25, 2025) – The Twin Cities Film Fest announced its 2026 award winners Saturday evening, recognizing films and artists across 10 top categories. The annual visual arts celebration showcased more than 110 features, shorts and industry events, across two theaters (Marcus Theaters at the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park and Mann Theaters in Edina) over the past two weeks.
Top Honors, Best Narrative Feature, went to the dark comedy Wild Horse Nine, which captivated audiences at TCFF with its emotional depth and outstanding performances. Directed by Martin McDonagh and starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, the film reimagines a mission in 1973 Chile, where CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) travel from Santiago to Easter Island just before the Chilean coup.
The year’s top non-fiction, Best Documentary, award went One in a Million, directed by directed by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes, a powerful documentary that follows a girl and her parents after they flee Syria and settle in Germany, where the new culture is the catalyst for unexpected change.
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award was bestowed to Morelife, directed by C.J. Renner. A young man’s plan to jump into an icy river at night is interrupted by a half-man half-fish there for the same reason. These two strike a bargain to find a rare Morel mushroom hoping it will provide something worth living for.
This year’s 2026 TCFF Best Short Film Award was bestowed to Christianne Hedtke’s Superconscious. Set in 1973, against the height of the energy crisis, a simmering Cold War and the dawn of the Age of Aquarius, a woman journeys to a far-flung human potential center to join the Remote Viewing Program, a scientific study on so-called “psi energy.”.
“As we celebrate the conclusion of our 17th annual Twin Cities Film Fest, I’m incredibly proud of the community we continue to build and the powerful stories we have the privilege of sharing,” said TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia. “What makes TCFF special isn’t simply the films on the screen, but the conversations they spark, the perspectives they challenge, and the connections they create. After 17 years, our mission remains as important as ever, and we’re energized to continue creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences long after the festival lights go down.”
The 2026 Audience Awards went to Jane’s Not Here, directed by Jonathan Oster (Narrative); A Month in Minnesota, directed by Annie Sundberg (Documentary); and Tangled Roots, directed by Tiffany Cornwell (Short).
Twin Cities Film Fest honored acclaimed actress Frances Fisher with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her extraordinary career and lasting contributions to film and television. In other awards, Not Dead Yet, directed by Eric and Nick Weber, starring Richard Kind, Paul Raci, Polly Draper, Bill Smitrovich, Claudja Bicalho, Ed German, Toby Huss, Dan Mahboubian Rosen, Mishel Prada and Tovah Feldshuhl, received the Indie Vision — Best Ensemble award. Actress Mason Reeves was awarded the Indie Vision – Breakthrough Performance award for ‘Josephine,’ directed by Beth de Araújo. The Indie Vision – Directing award was presented to director Sal Bardo for his film, ‘Out of the Woods.’
Acclaimed actor Bill Murray again served as a TCFF guest judge this year, choosing his favorite funny short from a trio of finalists. This year’s ‘Fun Is Good’ Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award went to CR Sherman’s Avant Guard about a Museum Director chasing fame, her museum about to become famous, with a priceless painting that has never been seen; it just needs to be guarded for one night…from the Guard.
2026 TCFF Changemaker Series focused on The Refugee Experience, showcasing several films on the topic. The Changemaker Award was presented to Alight Minnesota (Katherine Bloom O’Connell, Chief of Staff), for providing humanitarian support for refugees and other displaced communities, with a special focus on women and girls. Below are the complete list of 2026 award winners. To see a full listing of finalists, or for more information on dates of upcoming encore screenings and special events, please visit www.TwinCitiesFilmFest.org:
2025 Award Winners
Best Feature Film: Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh;
The Robert Byrd Best Documentary Award: One in a Million, directed by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award: Morelife, directed by C.J. Renner
Best Short Films: Superconscious, directed by Christianne Hedtke
Audience Award, Feature: Jane’s Not Here, directed by Jonathan Oster
Audience Award, Documentary: A Month in Minnesota, directed by Annie Sundberg
Audience Award, Short Film: Tangled Roots, directed by Tiffany Cornwell
Indie Vision — Directing: Sal Bardo, director of Out of The Woods
Indie Vision – Breakthrough Performance: Mason Reeves in Josephine
Indie Vision – Ensemble Cast: Not Dead Yet
‘Fun Is Good’ Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award: Avant Guard, directed by CR Sherman
Changemaker Award (The Refugee Experience): Alight Minnesota
Series Fest Pitchathon: Flyover State by Jasia Ka
TCFF/Raymond J. Christensen ‘Make the Cut’ Award: Whipple by J.D. Obrien
ABOUT TWIN CITIES FILM FEST
Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization founded by Executive Director, Jatin Setia. We change perspectives, transform lives, and strengthen our communities by supporting and spurring on the art of filmmaking. TCFF’s vision is to cultivate immersive experiences that amplify communities of creation, celebration, and change. To learn more about TCFF, events, film submissions or to donate, visit twincitiesfilmfest.org.
ABOUT MARCUS THEATRES®
Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 995 screens at 79 locations in 17 states under the Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern® by Marcus, and BistroPlex® brands. Marcus Theatres’ facilities offer the latest amenities and technology in stadium seating, digital sound, innovative food and beverage concepts and 72-feet-wide UltraScreen DLXs®.
ABOUT MANN THEATRES®
Mann Theatres® is a multi-generational, family-owned movie theatre chain dedicated to bringing people together through the magic of the big screen. With locations across the Twin Cities and beyond, they create experiences that are fresh, local, and fun.
CONTACT: Chad Olson, Nemer Fieger, colson@nemerfieger.com, 952-240-4982
