The 10th Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis & St. Paul returns with nine films never before seen in Minnesota. From Thursday, February 22 through Sunday, February 25, this year’s festival offers an exciting lineup of documentaries, dramas, and comedies that will take viewers on a spectacular journey through the landscapes and stories of Italy and its people.

At this year's IFF, you'll have the chance to meet visiting Italian directors, like Fabio Mollo, who will be in the Twin Cities for a screening of his most recent film Il Padre d’Italia (Father by Chance). Screening on Saturday, February 24. this thoughtful drama follows Paolo (Luca Marinelli), a sceptical, and at times ill-tempered, thirty-year-old, and Mia (Isabella Ragonese), a pregnant backup singer, whose pink hair and flashy style stand out in a crowd. After the film, audience members will have a chance to discuss the film with Mollo and the IFF’s curator, Lorenzo Fabbri.

Don't miss the celebration of the new Building Bridges: Emerging Filmmaker Awards, dedicated to the ICC’s founder and former president, Massimo Bonavita and sponsored by KNOCK, Inc. We created these awards to demonstrate the connections between Italy and Minnesota though film and we're excited to share three short works at the festival this year. Learn more about the winning films here, and join us on Saturday, February 24 for the free screening and awards ceremony!

Organized by The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis / St. Paul, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the best of Italian life, language, and culture to the Twin Cities, the Italian Film Festival is presented in partnership with the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul. All films will screen on the Film Society’s Screen Three at the St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main Street, Minneapolis.