The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul Announces Dates and Call for Submissions for the 37th Mpls St. Paul International Film Festival

THE FILM SOCIETY ANNOUNCES DATES AND CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 37th MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul announced the dates and call for submissions for the 37th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF).

MSPIFF will return April 12-29, 2018, bringing filmmakers, audiences and industry members from around the world to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester, MN for 17 days of films, events, panels, and more. Produced by the  Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, this highly anticipated celebration of international independent cinema annually debuts more than 250 films to a large and diverse audience, and welcomes the attendance of more than 150 filmmakers from around the world.

The Film Society seeks to build off the success of the 36th MSPIFF, which saw over 45,000 attendees, an expanded slate of short and feature-length films, and innovative new programming that included a Virtual Reality exhibit, silent film screenings, and popular gallery of local, national and international music videos.

Submissions are now open for all facets of MSPIFF, from short to feature length films, narratives and documentaries, music videos and animation. Creators are able to submit their feature-length and short films to 2018 MSPIFF 2018 through Withoutabox and FilmFreeway, the online festival submission systems favored by filmmakers for their ease of use and streamlined processes. Filmmakers may visit the Film Society’s website for information and links to those sites for submission: http://mspfilm.org/mspiff-submissions/

“For almost four decades, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival has given filmmakers from around the world a platform to present their short and feature films, and engage with enthusiastic audiences, instructors and members of the local, national and international filmmaking community,” said Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director of the Film Society.

Featured programs include: Asian Frontiers, Childish, Cine Latino, Frame Forward (avant garde and experimental), Images of Africa, Midnight Sun (Nordic films), New American Visions, World Cinema. Shorts programs include Documentary and Narrative, Childish, Dark Out, Frame Forward, Music Videos and Nextwave, the Film Society’s youth cinema program.

In recognition of Minnesota’s filmmaking community, MSPIFF offers one complimentary submission per individual for projects that qualify as “Minnesota Made” and are submitted before the Late Deadline, November 15, 2017. Eligible “Minnesota Made” films submitted between November 16 – December 22, 2017 may request a 50% discounted entry. To qualify as “Minnesota Made”, a film’s director must be a current Minnesota resident OR a combined 50% or more of production and/or post-production must have taken place in Minnesota. Please email submissions@mspfilm.org to claim this fee waiver.

Films completed after January 1, 2017 are now being accepted for consideration. Submitters will be notified of their acceptance status on or around February 23, 2018.

MSPIFF is presented by the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, a dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to inform and transform individuals and communities.

Attend Free Alchemy Yoga Classes at Target Field Station in September

Grab your mat and head to Target Field Station this September for free yoga classes led by Alchemy yoga studio instructors.

Location: Target Field Station, 335 N 5th Street (outside Target Field’s Gate 6)

Class schedule
• September 11: APulse, a blend of yoga and high-intensity interval training
• September 18: A10, yoga, strength and conditioning
• September 25: A20, yoga, strength and conditioning

More details
Hennepin County and the mpls downtown council are hosting these fitness classes as part of Go Outside with Hennepin County.
Learn more about the Go Outside event series.
Learn more about Alchemy yoga.

Scenes from the September 2 Mill City Farmers Market

Apples, Brussels sprouts and squash - delicious fall is in the air!

The Zestar! apples from Ames Farm sustained some hail damage, but that seemed to make them even sweeter than usual. You will always hear the MCFM chefs say "Buy the ugly produce!", because a few dings or weird shapes have no bearing on flavor and nutrients.

Brussels sprouts on the grill - what a treat! Try a drizzle of maple syrup or honey for extra flavor.

I ran into Chef Nettie Colon, who was filling a wagon with produce that will be used for the September 10 Harvest Social feast. There are still some tickets available - click here for more info on this annual fund raising event. We look forward to it every year.

Breakfast pizza hot out of the oven from Northern Fires. Yummy! :D

Always happy to see Urban Roots return to the the Market. These young farmers do a fantastic job growing, harvesting and displaying produce. Added bonus - with each visit they have a new joke or factoid on their sandwich board. 

Just in time for Vikings season - purple sweet corn from Prairie Hollow Farm.

Sweet corn ice cream from Sonny's - a must try! Nistler Farms supplies the sweet corn, and Sonny's supplies the magic.

Golden beets taste as good as they look.

I love the socks from The Abbey - so soft and warm.

Milly the goat!

My North Series - 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl (Episodes 26-30)

Count down to Super Bowl 52 with this weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. Hear from tastemakers and stylemakers. Artists and athletes. Authors and entertainers. These are their odes to the state they love. Below are episodes 26-30 - click here to see more!

Mill City Singers Saturday Practices Resume September 9

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

The Mill City Singers, founded and supported by the Friends of the Mill District, returns on Saturday, September 9th. Our rehearsals are held on the 8th floor of the Guthrie and happen on Saturdays from 2:00-3:30pm. There are no auditions and no attendance requirements. We expect you to come when you can and sing with a full heart, surrounded by friends and neighbors.

We are directed by the magical JD Steele, and accompanied by the charming and talented Fred Steele. Together we sing songs of hope, songs of community, and songs of joy and resilience. We remember as we sing, that there is hope and that we are stronger together. Part of the magic of each session is that we are a collection of average singers, but under JD’s leadership and Fred’s piano playing, we become so much more.

If you are interested in coming, please do. Feel free to contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com. There are no requirements, only an open heart and a willingness to make music!

US Bank Stadium’s Beverly Zimmerman Receives Meet Minneapolis Hospitality Hero Award

Via a News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

U.S. Bank Stadium’s Beverly Zimmerman Receives Meet Minneapolis Hospitality Hero Award

Beverly Zimmerman, a tour guide at the U.S. Bank Stadium, has been named a Hospitality Hero award winner for second quarter by Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association.

Beverly Zimmerman, tour guide at U.S. Bank Stadium, and winner of Meet Minneapolis Hospitality Hero award.

The award is given quarterly to members of the Minneapolis hospitality community who have been nominated by their colleagues. The award honors an individual or company that has made valuable contributions to the image and culture of Minneapolis through outstanding hospitality and service.

A Minnesota native, Zimmerman is known for her warmth and extensive knowledge on Minneapolis’ history and culture, according to her nomination. She welcomes visitors and provides suggestions on all that Minneapolis has to offer. No matter who she is helping, she can find a way to relate and personalize their experience. Since U.S. Bank Stadium started giving tours, Zimmerman has given more than 200 tours.

With over 50 years of experience in hospitality work, she has proven to be an expert in providing a memorable and genuine tour. Lisa Niess, marketing and communications manager at U.S. Bank Stadium, said that Zimmerman “never turns down an opportunity to enhance our service excellence by taking photos, sharing stories and creating memorable moments for guests young and old.”

Along with her manager, visitors can agree that Zimmerman is a great candidate to represent Minneapolis’ friendliness. “An opportunity for Beverly to win this award would showcase the best that Minneapolis has to offer in hospitality,” said Niess.