Spring in the Twin Cities doesn’t just mean patios reopening and trails thawing—it also signals the return of one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) is back for its 45th year, running April 8-19, with more than 230 films spanning global premieres, local stories, and buzzy festival favorites.
Courtesy of MSPIFF
Presented by MSP Film Society, this year’s lineup once again transforms venues like The Main Cinema and Edina Theatre into hubs for storytelling, conversation, and discovery. Expect filmmaker Q&As, community panels, and a new festival headquarters at Riverplace designed as a gathering space between screenings.
The opening night will set the tone with “Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story,” an intimate and often hilarious look at the Minnesota comedian’s life and mental health journey—paired with the Sundance standout “Everybody to Kenmure Street,” a powerful portrait of collective action.
Courtesy of MSPIFF
Closing things out? A can’t-miss for local fans, “Prince & The New Power Generation: Live at Glam Slam,” featuring newly uncovered footage from a 1992 Minneapolis performance.
Editor’s Picks to Watch
With a lineup this deep, narrowing it down is half the challenge. A few standouts worth circling:
For Minnesota ties: “Echoes in the Night: The Search for Jacob Wetterling” revisits one of the state’s most haunting cases, while Radioheart traces the career of legendary DJ Kevin Cole, rooted in First Avenue’s music scene.
For big names: “Power Ballad,” starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, brings a feel-good music story from director John Carney.
For conversation starters: “#WhileBlack” examines the real-life impact of viral videos documenting racial injustice, offering a timely and unflinching perspective.
For local sports fans: “Threshold,” featuring Minnesota’s own Jessie Diggins, offers an intimate look at the Olympic champion’s journey.
For pure nostalgia: A legacy screening of “Ordinary People,” with author Judith Guest in attendance, brings a Minnesota classic back to the big screen.
What makes MSPIFF endure isn’t just the films—it’s the shared experience. For 12 days, the festival turns moviegoing into something communal, where conversations spill out into the lobby, and a single screening can shift your perspective long after the credits roll.
Tickets go on sale to the public March 20, but as always, the best plan is to pick a few must-sees—and leave room to discover something unexpected.
