Twin Cities Film Fest 2026

The Twin Cities Film Fest returns October 15-24 with more than 110 films, including awards-season contenders and projects by local filmmakers. TCFF, now in its seventeenth year, will also feature special guests and industry events. And for those who can’t make the festival, it offers more than 60 titles on its streaming platform.

This year’s lineup reflects the festival’s continued commitment to diverse voices. Nearly half the selected films are part of the festival’s HER Series, spotlighting women’s stories, and a similar percentage features BIPOC perspectives. Of course, TCFF is full of Minnesota pride as well, so more than a third of the festival’s slate has Minnesota connections.

The opening-night film is the excellent Wild Horse Nine, the latest feature from Martin McDonagh, starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey. It follows two CIA agents on a vacation to Easter Island, and like many McDonagh projects, it manages to be funny, tragic, violent, and existential.

Throughout the festival, attendees can pick from an impressive selection of prestige releases and independent discoveries. Among the most anticipated selections are Elsinore starring Andrew Scott, I Play Rocky, Josephine with Channing Tatum, and Netflix’s La Bola Negra. The festival will also feature A24’s Club Kid and the Helen Mirren-starrer A Talent for Murder. For the closing night comedy about second chances, Not Dead Yet, co-star Paul Raci will be in attendance.

TCFF also champions films that encourage social engagement with Minnesota’s diverse community. The Changemaker Series will focus on the refugee experience with One in a Million, a screening that will be followed by a conversation with a representative from Alight, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian support for refugees.

Personally, I’ll cover the festival with a short dispatch featuring a few selections, plus a full-length review or two.

Besides movie screenings, TCFF is a resource for emerging creators with a Pitch-a-Thon that connects them with industry professionals to pitch TV concepts. And the Make The Cut competition will provide one winning documentarian with fully funded post-production support. This blend of movies and artistic development has been essential to the festival for 17 years.

TCFF boasts ten days of memorable screenings, engaging conversations, and talent development for Minnesota moviegoers. The events and screenings will be held at The Shops at West End’s Marcus West End Cinema and Edina Mann 4 Theatre at 50th and France. Check out their website at twincitiesfilmfest.org to learn more.