Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

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Arts & CultureMinneapolis
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration12 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsMSPIFF grew from humble roots as the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) is an annual springtime film festival that has run since 1981, making it the largest film event in the Upper Midwest. Organized by the nonprofit MSP Film Society and centered at The Main Cinema along the Mississippi River, it screens more than 200 international and independent films from over 70 countries each April, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

The Minneapolis St.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

MSPIFF grew from humble roots as the Rivertown Film Festival in the small town of Pine City into the Upper Midwest's largest film event, historically celebrated as one of the world's strongest showcases for Scandinavian cinema, a reflection of Minnesota's large Nordic immigrant heritage

02

The mystery stays covered

Beyond imported films, the festival highlights homegrown work through its MN Made series, spotlighting films shot or produced in Minnesota

03

The city starts moving

It has also made national news for taking creative risks, including stepping in as one of the few U

04

The water draws everyone in

distributors willing to screen Sony's The Interview after the 2014 hacking controversy nearly killed its theatrical release, and for hosting major visiting filmmakers like two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The MN Made series

Water and renewal

Living ritual

spotlighting Minnesota-shot and Minnesota-produced films

The sacred route

Living ritual

has become a signature fixture of the festival

The local code

Living ritual

as have post-screening audience Q&As with visiting directors

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and cinematographers

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The festival's long-standing strength in Scandinavian cinema reflects the Twin Cities' historic Nordic immigrant community

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual indoor theater wear; April evenings in Minneapolis can still be chilly, so a light jacket is useful for walking between venues, and comfortable layers work well for sitting through...

Safety

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Minneapolis you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.98 N, 93.26 WOpen in Google Maps

Minneapolis, MN

Nearest airportMSP — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Minneapolis you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Minneapolis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Minneapolis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearCasual indoor theater wear; April evenings in Minneapolis can still be chilly, so a light jacket is useful for walking between venues, and comfortable layers work well for sitting through multiple screenings in one day.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival?

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival is listed for Past edition: 8–19 April 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Minneapolis, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

12 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Minneapolis, MN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmspfilm.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusOfficial source linked
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