The largest annual celebration of international films in the region returns for its 43rd year as the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) debuts over 200 films from around the world at theaters across the Twin Cities.
Founded in 1962, MSP Film Society focuses on shining a light on stories and storytellers from historically underrepresented and underserved communities. According to their website, the organization seeks to use film as “a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration.”
Boasting an annual audience of over 85,000 people, they are able to help many independent filmmakers reach a wide spectrum of viewers to build bridges towards understanding one another better. Abdi Mohamed, a filmmaker and board member of the MSP Film Society, noted, “The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival is already widely recognized, but I believe we’re on a trajectory to firmly stake our place even further so that filmmakers will seek to have their films as a part of our festival similar to some of the other notable film festivals.”
The film festival highlights new filmmakers from around the world while also spotlighting the work of local filmmakers, according to Craig L. Rice, senior programmer and board member emeritus for MSP Film Society.
“The population in Minnesota is growing more globally, and that’s kind of our idea, to represent the cultures that live here in the state,” he said. “I look for ‘Minnesota’ voices. We look, specifically, for films that represent the cultures here—the Hmong films, the Somali films, the Liberian films—and we have a whole film festival in the fall dedicated to Latino films.”
This year, the MSPIFF will feature many films from across the African Diasporic community. Providing an emphasis on work originating from and about African communities was a key priority for filmmaker Abdi Mohamed.
“I’m particularly excited about a lot of the films made by African filmmakers featured in our festival,” Mohamed stated. “The continent has had a surge of wonderful films in recent years, and I’m proud that our festival has served as a platform to screen these films which show us the nuances of African life.”
Organizers of the film festival were blown away by the volume of engagement this year. “More and more people are making films,” Rice said.
“Our submissions were about twice what they were last year. Folks are seeing films as more of a way to communicate. Documentary films output has increased because it’s become citizen reporting.”
The film festival opens with a screening of “Sing Sing,” a true story about a group of men finding healing by joining the Sing Sing Prison Theatre Group. The film stars Tony and Academy Award nominee and notable wearer of suits Coleman Domingo alongside producer Clarence Maclin, whose real-life story the film takes inspiration from.
“Bufis” directed by Mahad Ahmed and Vincenzo Cavallo makes its U.S. premiere at the festival on April 12 and 13 at the Main Theatre. “Bufis” is based on a true story about young Somali refugees living in Nairobi, Kenya’s Eastleigh neighborhood with dreams of obtaining a green card and living a better life.
Other notable films premiering at the MSPIFF include “Luther: Never Too Much,” a documentary directed by Dawn Porter chronicling the life of one of the most gifted and magnanimous vocalists in R&B’s storied history, and “Once Again (For the Very First Time),” a gripping and dynamic cinematic masterclass directed by Boaz Yakin starring Alvin Ailey dancer Jeroboam Bozeman and the dynamic award-winning poet Mecca “Meccamorphosis” Verdell.
MSPIFF kicks off April 11 with a screening of “Sing Sing” 7:15 p.m. at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St. Minneapolis and will be followed by an opening reception at the A-Mill Artist Lofts sponsored by KNOCK Inc. The opening reception will feature music from DJ Jacques as well as beverages from program sponsors.
Tickets for the opening screening and reception are $60. Unless otherwise noted, single-showing tickets are available for $10 for MSP Film Society members, $12 for non-members, and $8 for students. All-Access passes are available for $400 for members, $600 for non-members, and $75 for students. For more information or any questions contact info@mspfilm.org