Events

FILM FESTIVAL CENTRAL OPENING WEEKEND PAVILION!!!

For the first time the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival will host a slew of Opening Weekend Events in a Festival Central Pavilion, with glorious views of the river, pitched on the boulevard right across the street from the St. Anthony Main Theatre Complex.  The Pavilion will be up and open from noon Thursday, April 14^th until 7:00pm Sunday April 17^th (ok, yes, we will close from midnight to noon each day).  During the day, festival guests and audience members can gather and mingle, pick up catalogues, fill in audience ballots, grab a cup of coffee, nibble on snacks, take advantage of membership deals, buy Gold Passes, participate in film discussions, listen to some great music. We’ll open the cash bar at 5:00 pm each evening.  And each evening we’ll throw a Pavilion Party, starting at 9:00pm.  So come - enjoy the show and enjoy the fun!

OPENING NIGHT GALA

Thursday, April 14 • 9:00 PM – Midnight • FESTIVAL CENTRAL PAVILION

After the Opening Night film credits roll, from 9:00pm on, please join us for the OPENING NIGHT GALA at our FIRST EVER FESTIVAL CENTRAL PAVILION. Partygoers will meet the many visiting filmmakers in town for our opening weekend and will be treated to a delicious spread courtesy of Chowgirls “Killer Catering”. Your party ticket also includes one free drink from our Party Sponsors Summit Brewing, Badger Mountain and Parducci Wine Cellars, and Phillips Distilling: a Summit Ale, a glass of certified organic wine, or a Fest Prairie Vodka Special.  In addition, there will be a cash bar offering drink specials all night long. And finally, you won’t want to miss jazz vocalist Charmin Michelle and her Combo… Opening Night Party Ticket: $25 (A Steal!)

OPENING WEEKEND PAVILION FESTIVITIES

Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16 • Noon – Midnight • FESTIVAL CENTRAL PAVILION

On Friday, the Pavilion opens at noon as Festival Central.  Meet and greet our visitors and your fellow film buffs between films through the afternoon, and come back when the cash bar opens at 5:00pm with drink specials from Summit Brewing, Wines from Badger Mountain and Parducci Cellars. The $10 cover after 9:00pm includes food by Chowgirls’ “Killer Catering”, and music by the energetic and distinctive “saucy harmonica and cool marimba” performer, Noah Hoehn.  Cash bar all night.

On Saturday, the Pavilion opens at noon. Meet and greet once again between films! Come catch some great up-and-coming local music acts from 2:00-5:00 pm: Bethany Larson & The Bee's Knees, The Red Pens and Total Babe! The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, with drink specials from Summit Brewing, Badger Mountain and Parducci Wine Cellars and Phillips Distilling. At 9:00pm the party gets serious. More great food provided by Chowgirls Catering.  Music by the magnificent eclectic ensemble Rumba Eterna and their interpretations of traditional Cuban and Latino rhythms. Again, the $10 cover after 9:00pm includes food and music.  Cash bar all night.

OPENING WEEKEND COMES TO AN END WITH A BANG

Sunday, April 17 • Noon – 9:00pm

FESTIVAL CENTRAL PAVILION (noon-6:00pm)

ASTER CAFÉ (6:00pm-9:00pm)

On Sunday, we’re open again from noon on.  Local bands play from 2:00 to 4:00pm followed by what promises to be an entertaining Music Panel Discussion from 4:00 to 5:30pm.  See Panel page for details.  Join us at The Aster Café - our favorite Nosh Spot and Official Festival Haunt - after the panel for delicious drink and snack specials and more conversation.

MID FEST Minnesota-Made PARTY

Friday, April 22 • 9:00pm • NICK & EDDIE

Come help us recognize the great creative strain running through Minnesota’s filmmaking community and through our festival! in the inimitable ambience of everyone’s favorite local night spot, Nick & Eddie.  Food and drink specials. Local Musician, Kevin Steinman, and friends perform a “Minnesota Made” set. Your movie ticket gets you into the party! $5 with no ticket stub.

MID FEST Bienvenu! PARTY

Thursday April 28 • 9:00pm • BARBETTE

Join us at the always “buzzing” Barbette as we celebrate the Year of France in Minnesota and the diversity of French-language films – Gigola, Dumas, The Sleeping Beauty, La Petite Chambre, Hedgehog, Queen of Hearts, The Names of Love and more - showing throughout the festival this year.  Music by the Max Corcoran Project.  Food and drink specials all night. Your movie ticket gets you into the party! $5 with no ticket stub.

MID FEST Celtic Spirit! PARTY

AWARDS CEREMONY

Thursday, May 5 • 5:00pm • St. Anthony Main Theater

Join us and the Competition Jurors to celebrate the winners in our Five Competition Categories at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony before the Closing Night Film…

CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

Thursday, May 5 • 9:00pm - Midnight • Aster Cafe

We’ll close the 2011 MSP International Film Festival this year with a great event celebrating the LOCAL FILM AND MUSIC SCENE at the favorite neighborhood spot, Aster Cafe. The $15 cover gets you one free drink, great food courtesy of Chow Girls, drink specials all night thereafter and some of the best music the Twin Cities can provide!