Twin Cities Film Fest 2025

The Twin Cities Film Fest returns this week for its “Sweet 16,” and I’ll be there once again covering one of Minnesota’s largest and most exciting film events. I’ve been attending TCFF since the early days, and every year, I walk away having seen something special—a film that reminds me why this festival is such an essential part of our state’s arts scene.

Running October 16–25, this year’s TCFF will screen more than 150 films across its two theater locations: Marcus West End Cinemas in St. Louis Park and, for the first time, the Edina Mann 4 Theatre. Over 70 titles will also be available to stream online through TCFF STREAMS. The expansion reflects how far the festival has come since its modest beginnings, now drawing submissions from around the world and fostering one of the most inclusive and diverse slates of independent films in the region.

Kicking things off on opening night is Hamnet, the latest from Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, 2021) starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The Focus Features release reimagines the story behind Shakespeare’s Hamlet, exploring love, grief, and the inspiration that comes from personal loss. I’ll be covering Hamnet along with several of the fall’s most talked-about releases—Hedda, Bugonia, and Is This Thing On?—with possibly more to come. Other major titles include the Paul McCartney doc Man on the Run, Christy with Sydney Sweeney, and Rental Family starring Brendan Fraser, all of which are likely to make a strong showing in the awards conversation later this year. TCFF will close with Lost & Found in Cleveland, a Midwestern ensemble comedy starring Martin Sheen, June Squibb, Jon Lovitz, Stacy Keach, and Liza Weil. The closing night celebration will include a Q&A with actor Santino Fontana following the screening.

Local representation remains a cornerstone of TCFF. Minnesota filmmakers will have a dedicated spotlight. Nearly half of this year’s lineup features stories by and about women under the festival’s “HER Series,” while over 40% highlight BIPOC voices—a testament to the programming team’s commitment to inclusivity and independent storytelling.

Executive Director Jatin Setia describes this year’s event as a celebration of the “independent spirit,” emphasizing how small-scale, personal stories often provide audiences with perspectives they won’t find in mainstream cinema. That spirit is also reflected in the “Changemaker Series,” which this year focuses on the theme of “Domestic Trauma.” The series includes screenings and community discussions centered around awareness and healing, highlighted by the Minnesota-made The Seventh Turn, directed by Eric D. Howell and Marta Milans.

The festival always finds a balance between big names and local discoveries, giving Minnesota audiences a rare opportunity to see some of the year’s most talked-about films before they hit wider release. With guests like RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad), Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men), and Jacob Tremblay (Room, 2015) scheduled to attend, TCFF 2025 is shaping up to be one of its biggest years yet.

Tickets for both in-person and streaming events went on sale September 26 at TwinCitiesFilmFest.org.