The Reel Deal

Twin Cities Film Festival is just two years old, but already it's coming into its own.

Alex Rain, a middle school student from Iowa, is featured in The Bully Project.

Image credit: Courtesy Bully Project.

By: Morgan Halaska

The Twin Cities Film Festival may only be in its second year, but already it’s coming into its own.

Running Tuesday through Sunday, this year's event has attracted movie makers, actors and a fleet of films from around the country that will collectively bring a distinctive red-carpet feel to an event that remains in its infancy.

Emmy Award-winning director Lee Hirsch will be on hand to attend the showing of his new documentary about bullying, The Bully Project, which serves as the festival opener. Actors Tom Sizemore, Hector Jimenez, and Olga Segura will attend Thursday night’s showing of White Knight, about a Ku Klux Klan member who is forced to rethink his beliefs while in prison.

“We’re proud that these studios are allowing their actors to visit a second-year festival,” says Jatin Setia, the festival’s executive director “It’s unheard of. They recognized Minneapolis as a great film town.”

To be sure, though, the event is designed to put a spotlight on some lesser-known or yet-to-come-of-age work. Several of the films that are being premiered were made independently. Minnesota-made work and short films are also among the offerings.

“The goal is to introduce opportunities to the Minnesota public to see films they may never get to see and give audiences the first look before studio films go into full swing,” Setia says.

Not everything is taking shape on the screen, either.

A noteworthy addition to this year’s festival is the Gaming Initiative—an innovative look at the cinematic presence in video game storylines. A gaming lounge will allow attendees to grab the controller and learn about today’s top titles, alongside a free screening of the documentary King of Kong on Sunday.

On Thursday, before the film Yoga Is is screened, Corepower will hold a yoga class and fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Research fund. Prior to With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story, there will be a parade of superheroes and a handful of activities from Creative Kidstuff.

“Every single film is an event on its own,” Setia says.

Clearly this is more than just a night out at the movies.

The Twin Cities Film Fest runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Shops at West End’s Icon Theatre in St. Louis Park. More information about tickets and a complete schedule can be found here.