Good news, cinephiles: The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Fest (MSPIFF) is back for its 44th year, boasting an exciting lineup of 200-plus films from around the world (and some from Minnesota), filmmaker and special guest appearances, parties, panels, and more.
This year’s packed schedule of programming kicks off April 2 and runs through April 13 at The Main Cinema and other venues around the Twin Cities—including Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, Landmark Center in St. Paul, and the Edina Mann Theatre. With so many screenings and events to choose from, be sure to check out the full festival schedule and make your selections wisely.
Tickets for individual screenings are available online, or purchase an MSPIFF All-Access Pass to ensure early access to all films and special events.
As you prepare your festival itinerary, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:
Wednesday, April 2
Opening Night Presentation: “Free Leonard Peltier” (The Main Cinema, 7 and 7:15 p.m.)
The festival is kicking things off with a big one: “Free Leonard Peltier” revisits the double life sentences handed to Native American activist Leonard Peltier for the murder of two FBI agents in 1975—one of the most discredited convictions in modern U.S. history, for which Peltier was imprisoned for nearly 50 years. The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, just one week after Peltier was granted clemency.
Director Jesse Short Bull and producer Jhane Meyers will be in attendance at the opening-night screening at The Main Cinema, followed by an Opening Night Party at Owamni.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Thursday, April 3
“Cactus Pears” (The Main Cinema, 4:20 p.m.)
Following the death of his father, Anand returns to his rural Indian town for a 10-day period of mourning. Despite mounting pressure to marry, Anand rekindles the flames with his childhood friend Balya, as they both face scrutiny from their family and community. This debut feature from director Rohan Parashuram Kanawade was the 2025 Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize winner.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“The Friend” (The Main Cinema, 6:50 p.m.)
In this adaptation of the best-selling novel by Sigrid Nunez, Walter (Bill Murray) is a university professor and popular novelist whose sudden death leaves his good friend and ex-lover Iris (Naomi Watts) in charge of his literary letters and enormous Great Dane, Apollo. In the wake of Walter’s passing, Iris grapples with her own grief while trying to find a home for Walter’s four-legged friend.
Want to meet Apollo himself? Arrive early for a Great Dane Meet & Greet on The Main’s red carpet, starting at 6 p.m.
Courtesy of 3dot Productions and Big Creek
“Or Something” (The Main Cinema, 7 p.m.)
Co-writers Mary Neely and Minnesota-raised Kareem Rahma (best known for his hit social media series “Subway Takes”) star in this comedy from director Jeffrey Scotti Schroeder. Olivia and Amir are two strangers who meet up at an apartment, both seeking money from the occupant who swears he doesn’t have it. But someone named Uptown Mike in Harlem apparently has the cash. Reluctantly, the duo spends the day together, plotting how to get the money and forging a friendship along the way.
Following the screening, Neely and Rahma will host the Mary + Kareem Comedy Show live at Pracna at 9 p.m.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Friday, April 4
“Brooklyn, Minnesota” (The Main Cinema, 7 p.m., plus other showtimes throughout the festival)
Filmed in the Twin Cities and around Lake Minnetonka, “Brooklyn, Minnesota” follows teenager Maise and her artist-dad Kurt. When Kurt’s father dies, the duo embark on a journey from Brooklyn, New York, to a rural Minnesota lake town to be with extended family. And while Kurt is eager to return to their life in Brooklyn, Maise discovers a few reasons to stay. Writers/Directors Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen and cast members will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“The Surfer” (The Main Cinema, 10 p.m.)
In this psychological thriller from director Lorcan Finnegan, a man (Nicolas Cage) returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals whose mantra is “don’t live here, don’t surf here.” Humiliated and angry, the man is drawn to his breaking point.
Courtesy of Lionsgate
Saturday, April 5
“Unholy Communion” (The Main Cinema, 2:30 p.m.)
Based on a novel set in Scandia, Minnesota, and directed by local filmmaker Patrick Coyle, this crime drama follows the investigation into a series of murders of Catholic priests, each with its own disturbing messages left behind. Coyle will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“If You See Something” (The Main Cinema, 4:30 p.m.)
Ali and Kate are a young couple in New York City. He’s an Iraqi immigrant and she’s an American, and both are eager for a good life in the big city. But when a crisis strikes in Iraq, it threatens Ali’s legal status, secrets emerge, and their love is pushed to its limits. Writer, actress, and producer Jess Jacobs will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“Friendship” (The Main Cinema, 10 p.m.)
This soon-to-be cult-classic comedy follows Craig (Tim Robinson), who lives a bland suburban life and desperately needs a friend. When his new neighbor, Austin (Paul Rudd), invites him over, and Craig sees this tight circle of friends, he feels like a new man. That is, until Austin pushes him away, and Craig flies off the handle.
Courtesy of A24
Sunday, April 6
”The Spies Among Us” (Edina Mann Theatre, 2:15 p.m.)
From directors Jamie Coughlin Silverman and Gabriel Silverman, this jaw-dropping documentary feature paints a devastating portrait of the East German Stasi, the most feared police apparatus in history. Peter Kreup, a victim of the Stasi whose experience fuels his work as a historian, confronts the men who ran the operation fully exposes the inner-workings of the surveillance state in a chilling cautionary tale.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“Mistura” (The Main Cinema, 4:40 p.m., plus other showtimes throughout the festival)
A journey of self-reflection and discovery, “Mistura” follows Norma, a privileged French-Peruvian in 1960s Peru, as finds her life unraveling after her husband’s betrayal ostracizes her from elite society—leading her to embrace people from the very communities that she was raised to disregard. With their help, Norma opens a restaurant in her home with a Nikkei chef, an Indigenous cook, and an Afro-Peruvian driver. Together, they reveal Peru’s authentic identity through their daring culinary venture. Producer Ivan Orlic will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“Brokeback Mountain” (The Main Cinema, 7:30 p.m.)
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Oscar-winning “Brokeback Mountain” explores the lives of two young men (Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) who meet in the summer of 1963 and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection. The complications, joys, and heartbreak that come with their relationship are a testament to the enduring power of love.
As part of the MSPIFF44 Milgrom Tribute, renowned director Ang Lee will be in attendance and give an introduction to the film. Prior to the screening, there will also be an in-person conversation with Lee hosted at DeLaSalle High School at 4 p.m.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Monday, April 7
“Good Sport” (The Main Cinema at 4:30 p.m.)
This dark comedy from Minnesota-based writer/director Andrew Jack Zuckerman follows Pat, who’s having a bad, bad day. His ex-wife is about to get remarried, he’s hungover, and he has to coach his 12-year-old son’s basketball team. At the game, Pat faces against helicopter parents, an insane opposing coach, and his own sense of failure. Filmmakers, cast, and crew will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Tuesday, April 8
“The Dance Is Not Over” (The Main Cinema, 7:05 p.m.)
This documentary celebrates the life and career of dancer, performer, choreographer, LGBTQ+ and publicly HIV-positive activist Patrick Scully, whose Patrick’s Cabaret was a South Minneapolis fixture for decades. Director Mark Wojahn will be in attendance at this world premiere.
“Meet the Barbarians” (Edina Mann Theatre, 7 p.m., plus other showtimes throughout the festival)
Starring and directed by Julie Delpy, “Meet The Barbarians” this French comedy-drama is set in the picturesque village of Paimpont, where upper-crust French citizens love to visit and get away from the chaos of the world. Touched by the news of the war in Ukraine, the villagers want to do their best to help, offering to take in a refugee family. But when the Fayad family arrives from Syria instead, the town falls back on its age-old prejudices.
Courtesy of Obscured Pictures
Wednesday, April 9
“The People’s Way” (The Main Cinema, 7:15 p.m.)
This documentary follows three community organizers in Minneapolis—Jeanelle Austin, Toshira Garraway, and Robin Wonsley—as they embark on interweaving journeys after George Floyd’s murder to care for their communities, find inner healing, and forge a path toward Black liberation. Filmmakers and film participants will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Thursday, April 10
“The Fun-Raiser” (The Main Cinema, 4:30 p.m.)
Minnesota Filmmakers Wyatt McDill and Megan Huber are returning to MSPIFF with this amusing tale of highly eccentric characters in seemingly ordinary settings. Carson and Crystal run a performing arts school where nothing seems to go right. Desperate to save the school and ensure their students have a creative future, they throw a fundraiser, which quickly goes downhill at the hands of fire, flood, and food poisoning. McDill and Huber will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“Crocodile Tears” (The Main Cinema, 9:40 p.m.)
Mama has always run Johan’s life on their crocodile farm in West Java, Indonesia, and Johan isn’t aware that his mother is a bit of a dictator. When he falls in love with Arumi, his mother isn’t happy, and she’ll do anything to keep them apart.
Friday, April 11
“Folktales” (The Main Cinema, 7 p.m.)
Fresh off of Sundance, “Folktales” follows a group of teenagers taking a gap year in a Norwegian Folk School located 800 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The documentary from directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (a Minnesota native) shines a light on the inner strength that comes from the teens’ journeys.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“Ricky” (Capri Theater, 7 p.m.)
30-year-old Ricky has been in prison for half his life. After being released, he navigates post-incarceration back at home in East Hartford, Connecticut. Director/writer/producer Rashad Frett’s stunning and compassionate debut feature won the Sundance Film Festival’s best directing award and showcases a dynamic performance from Stephan James as Ricky. Frett will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
Saturday, April 12
“Sima’s Song” (The Main Cinema, 11 a.m.)
This MSPIFF Cinema Club screening marks the North American premiere of “Sima’s Song.” The drama from writer/director Roya Sadat, the first woman director in post-Taliban Afghanistan, follows friends Suraya and Sima as they struggle to find common ground during the Afghan civil war: Suraya is rich and a communist, and Sima is from a more traditional background. Fighting for their country and their civil rights in a world where women’s lives are undervalued, this friendship is put to the test. Sadat will be in attendance.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
“The Village Next to Paradise” (Capri Theater, 5 p.m.)
“The Village Next to Paradise” is writer/director Mo Harawe’s feature-length debut, and was the first Somali film to be featured in in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival. It follows, Mamargrade, who struggles to raise his son Cigaal in their rural Somali village amidst conflict, natural disasters, and the constant drones. Their family dynamic is further altered by the arrival of Marmargrade’s sister Araweelo, who is seeking a fresh start after her divorce.
Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival
Sunday, April 13
“Bitterroot” (The Main Cinema, 7:20 p.m.)
In this drama from director Vera Brunner-Sung, a young Hmong man named Lue has just gotten divorced and moved home to rural Montana, where he takes care of his ailing mother—but taking care of mom also means taking care of her enormous vegetable garden. This profound story offers a contemplative look at what it means to be human and to live in nature when the world is quite literally catching on fire.
Courtesy of MSP Film Society
