MSP Film

At MSP Film Society (MSP Film), we've harnessed the profound power of cinema to forge connections, promote understanding, and uplift diverse voices. In a world marked by global interconnectivity but also deep-seated divisions, we've remained steadfast in our mission: to bring the world of cinema to our community and build bridges of understanding and empathy all at The Main Cinema.

James and Roger Deakins, MSPIFF 2024   Ang Lee, MSPIFF 2025   MSPIFF45, April 2026

"I leave The Main Cinema after a movie that has made me laugh and cry and I feel changed. My attitudes are challenged as I learn about different cultures and people by walking in their shoes for a couple of hours. This is the power of the great films offered by the MSP Film Society."  - Alex

Movies do have an extraordinary power—they transport us to different worlds, evoke our deepest emotions, and most importantly, they connect us. Independently operated movie theaters like The Main Cinema play a crucial role in any community. They serve as gathering places where audiences can experience diverse stories and voices from around the world and provide a shared experience as these stories come to life on the big screen.   

Since 1962, MSP Film Society has been bridging cultures and building community by curating international and independent film for all Minnesotans, through our film festivals, including Cine Latino and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festivals, aka MSPIFF—which celebrates 45 years April 8-19, 2026!—and year-round at The Main Cinema, our five-screen independent art house theater.

We ask for your generous donations to help us continue to offer a kaleidoscope of perspectives through our diverse year-round programming in a space where community can gather for a shared experience. 

Together, let's continue to bring the whole world to Minnesota through the magic of cinema.  

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Donate $10+ to MSP Film on GiveMN by Dec 31st, 2025 to be entered to win a Core Membership to MSP Film and a 4-pack of tickets to The Main Cinema!

Celebrate 40 Years of The Main Cinema on Give to the Max Day!

Join us for a Birthday Party with cake and prizes 
and a 40th Anniversary Screening of BACK TO THE FUTURE
which screened on opening weekend in 1985!

               

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ABOUT US

MSP Film is Minnesota’s foremost film exhibition organization, bringing the best international and independent films to Minnesota audiences through our daily programming at The Main Cinema, our annual film festivals, including Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival—which celebrates 45 years in April 2026; the Cine Latino Film Festival—the region's only showcase of new Latin American and Iberian cinema;  and our special event screenings and monthly series, including Cinema Club, Midnight Mayhem, and First Thursdays at The Capri. We also partner with other community organizations to host various niche festivals, including the The Great Northern, TC Arab Film Festival, TC Jewish Film Festival, and the Italian Film Festival.

Founded in 1962, MSP Film is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes the art of film as a medium that fosters cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration. We offer audiences unique opportunities to experience the wealth of international cinema, to engage with and learn from visiting filmmakers, and to come together and share these experiences as a community. 

Our programming serves a growing membership base and diversifying audiences of 150,000+ annually. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles for non-English dialogue, unless otherwise noted.

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OUR MISSION

MSP Film is committed to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of cinema and its power to unite, inform, and transform individuals and communities. 

Our mission is accomplished through the exhibition of the very best new and classic international, independent, and Minnesota-made films. The notable and award-winning films we present expose our audiences to an impressive range of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Screenings are often enriched by conversations with filmmakers and experts on an array of topics, providing our audiences the opportunity to share transformative cinematic experiences. 

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OUR LEGACY

MSP Film is Minnesota’s first and foremost film exhibition organization. Our cornerstone program, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, is the largest and longest-running film festival in the Upper Midwest, presenting around 250 films from 100 countries and cultures annually to a growing audience of 50,000+. We took over operations and revamped The Main Cinema in 2021 to expand our diverse programming year-round on five screens.

Visit us online at mspfilm.org