Twin Cities Film Festival Returns for 15th Anniversary

Festival programming runs Oct. 17-26, with over 140 hybrid screenings, in-person events, and a record number of films with Minnesota connections

It’s that time of year again—Oscar predictions are starting to float around social media, and several big-budget films are gearing up to hit the theaters this holiday season. As excitement builds around some of this year’s most anticipated releases, Minnesotans can see them early at the 15th annual Twin Cities Film Festival (TCFF), which kicks off Thursday in St. Louis Park.

This year’s slate includes over 140 films, set to screen Oct. 17-26 in a hybrid format. The newly rebranded Marcus West End Cinemas will host the festival’s in-person events and showings, and more than 70 films will be available to stream online. Festival passes and single tickets are available to purchase on TCFF’s website.

In-person Q&A at TCFF 2023

Courtesy of TCFF

Movie fans are in for a treat with this year’s programming, which includes several studio blockbusters, in-person Q&As with cast and crew members, celebrity appearances, and a red carpet.

Plus, the catalog includes a record number of local productions—nearly 40% of TCFF’s features and short films were either filmed in Minnesota or feature local cast and crew members. “From the very first year of this festival, our focus has been on showcasing, celebrating, and elevating local talent,” says TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia in a press release. “For the 15th anniversary, our programming team cast the widest net in our history, seeking out the Minnesota productions, stories, actors, and producers who are reshaping the movie industry… There’s so much joy, creativity, and talent on display here, it’s truly overwhelming.”

Not sure where to begin with your festival itinerary? Start with our editor’s picks for must-watches and exciting events.

Spotlight Films

“Conclave” (Oct. 17, 7:15 p.m.) — The festival will open with the Midwest premiere of Focus Features’ latest thriller, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow. The film follows Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) as he is tasked with finding a new pope, only to discover a string of secrets that could shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence in “Conclave”

Courtesy of Focus Features

“Magpie” (Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.) — Shout Studios’ “Magpie” will make its Minnesota premiere as TCFF’s 2024 Centerpiece, followed by an in-person Q&A with actress Daisy Ridley and writer Tom Bateman. In this psychological noir, the lives of married couple Anette (Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif) begin to fracture when their daughter is cast alongside a glamorous movie star.

“Days When The Rains Came” (Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.) — A sneak preview of the Minnesota-connected “Days When The Rains Came” will close the festival. The female-driven narrative follows an actress in her forties who returns to her hometown to care for her ailing father. A discussion with Minnesotan writer and actress Marisa Coughlan, along with actors Beau Bridges and Eliza Couple, will follow the screening.

Big-Name Features

“Nightbitch” (Oct. 18, 6:45 p.m.) — Based on the popular novel by Rachel Yoder, this horror-comedy follows a stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) whose maternal instincts begin to manifest in canine form.

“La Cocina” (Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m.) — Fans of “The Bear” shouldn’t miss this restaurant-centered drama starring Raúl Briones and Rooney Mara. During the lunch rush at The Grill, a popular New York City tourist trap, money has gone missing from the till and all undocumented cooks are being investigated.

“A Real Pain” (Oct. 21, 7:15 p.m.) — Cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their grandmother, but the trip takes a turn when old tensions resurface.

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain”

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

“Blitz” (Oct. 26, 4:45 p.m.) — The latest project from Academy Award-winning writer and director Sir Steve McQueen follows the journey of 9-year-old George (Elliott Heffernan) during World War II, when he is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan), to escape the bombings in London.

Minnesota(n) Made

(Filmmakers will be in attendance at all of the following screenings.)

“Boundary Waters” (Oct. 18, 5 and 6 p.m.) — Set in Minnesota’s Iron Range, 12-year-old Michael (Etienne Kellici) feels tensions mounting between his parents after his mother is badly injured. Desperate to fix what happened, Michael grapples with becoming a man in a world where men can cause harm.

“Antarctic Voyage” (Oct. 19, 10:45 a.m.) — Originally from Minneapolis, Kevin Schreck is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and film educator currently living in New York City. His latest project follows a research expedition to the remote island of South Georgia, shining a light on the current state of the polar region and those dedicated to preserving it.

“Out of Time” (Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m.) — In the latest project from Minneapolis-based Djini Productions and filmmaker Alison Guessou, one woman uncovers the truth behind the pharmaceutical industry’s darkest secrets and overcomes insurmountable odds in order to protect her family.

“Out of Time”

Courtesy of Djini Productions

“Don’t Move” (Oct. 25, 9:45 p.m.) — This Netflix original by directors and Minnesota natives Adam Schindler and Brian Netto tells the survival story of a woman injected with a paralytic agent in an isolated forest.

The full lineup of feature films, shorts, and other festival programming can be found on TCFF’s website. Stay tuned for more TCFF coverage on our Instagram!

As Managing Editor of Minnesota Monthly, Macy strives to capture the Spirit of Minnesota through impactful storytelling and engaging content. Obsessed with all things entertainment and pop culture, her editorial background encompasses a wide variety of arts and lifestyle coverage—from interviewing local musicians and Broadway actors to exploring that trend you can’t stop hearing about. With her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the Twin Cities, Macy is passionate about the people, places, and ideas driving Minnesota’s culture. You can often find her cuddling her two cats, seeing a local band, or crossing movies off her ever-growing watchlist.