MSPIFF shows educational, enlightening and entertaining films

The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) that runs April 8-19, 2026 will show its audiences the best films from every corner of the world.

This pledge was made by Craig Rice, a senior programmer with MSPIFF, in a recent interview.
The annual festival, celebrating its 45th year, takes place primarily at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St in Minneapolis.

MSPIFF has always been the core element of the Minneapolis Saint Paul Film Society, according to Rice. “It provides the film society with a larger expansion of its programs,” he said.

MSPIFF opens this year with “Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story,” a film offering an intimate and funny portrait of beloved Minnesota comedian Maria Bamford. The film is directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley. Bamford and Berkeley will be in attendance.

“Prince and the new Power Generation: Live at Glam Slam,” directed by Scott McCullough, will close the festival. It features newly discovered footage of Prince and the NPG.

“Everybody to Kenmure Street” chronicles a day of disruption in Scotland when two immigrants are arrested. The film echoes recent ICE injustices in Minnesota, according to MSPIFF staff.

The film “Power Ballad” features Paul Rudd, as an aging wedding singer, and Nick Jonas as a fading boy band singer who strike up an unlikely friendship. MSPIFF will feature a legacy film, “Ordinary People,” starring movie icons Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Redford.
Rice said 230 films will be shown at the globe-wide festival.

“We did a serious push last year for African films,” Rice noted. “This year we have several from there, and we are showing four films from India, one of which will screen at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.” Other venues for films include the Capri Theater, Landmark Center, First Ave along with locations in Rochester and Edina.

Another highlighted film is “Threshold,” a feature documentary about Jessie Diggins, the cross-country skier who has won the most American Olympic god medals for that sport.

“Echoes of the Night,” a documentary about the Jacob Wetterling case by Chris Newberry, will be shown. And “Uncle Roy,” Keri Pickett’s story of her uncle’s life as a famed figure skater and photographer, is another Minnesota-made highlight.

“‘Gaslit’ is a documentary about the Gulf of Mexico, and the countries polluting it. Jane Fonda is featured, traveling to meet with front line communities affected by the oil industry,” Rice said.
MSPIFF will be partnering for the first time with First Ave, screening the film “Radiohead” at that location, with a dance party to follow.

A featured industry panel will be part of MSPIFF, with guests from northern Minnesota. “The panel will cover documentaries, gaffers and camera people,” Rice said.

Youth screenings, with films made by high school youth in the Twin Cities, will be offered. “We are showing about 12 of these films. We will have the youth come in and be interviewed,” Rice stated. “It should be really encouraging.”

MEET CRAIG RICE
Rice, who has been a part of the MSP Film Society for 15 years, said he wished such opportunities had been available when he was starting out.

“My story is that I always wanted to be a director,” he said. “I started out as a musician in high school and my early 20s, then found out that you could go to school for directing.”

Al Milgrom was the founder of the U Film Society in 1962 who was widely revered over the years for his work with MSPIFF, introduced Rice to the film society. “He showed me Fellini’s ‘81/2,’ and I learned about a whole new level of film. I would not be here today if it were not for Al Milgrom.”

Rice completed his education with a degree from the University of Southern California. He has worked in film and music over the years, including directing “Half Past Autumn,” a film about Gordon Parks, and a recent short film “Blues for the Blues.” He currently teaches classes in world film and film directors at MCAD.

“I initially started with shorts and videos for MSPIFF, then had the idea that we really needed to integrate Minnesota into the festival as another country. So just like we would have French or Asian films, we would have films with a Minnesota connection.”

Rice said that what he primarily seeks in Minnesota films is honesty and an understanding of the Minnesota culture. “That is very important,” he noted. “People from New York and LA may think we’re hayseeds, but I think this is the creative center of the world.”

Regarding his programming of Minnesota films, Rice said “I look for an artistic, intelligent and studied approach to the story. The beauty of Minnesota and the accuracy of the environment. I know what Minnesota looks like, and it’s almost magical.”

Rice said he also programs new American films, and he has watched 400 films this year in preparation for MSPIFF. “These films I select for the quality of work, craftsmanship, the authenticity of the work and the story logic. I pick films that best represent the times we are in now.”

Rice has said that art does not exist if there is no one to see it. He said the MSPIFF audiences come to see films that are unique and relevant. “I try to pick films that are educational, enlightening and entertaining,” he added.

While MSPIFF audiences usually span a wide range of ages and interests, Rice noted that the number of younger film watchers has increased. “We have tapped into more university students and done more promoting, and younger people are coming.”