General Public
General Audience Day Pass 9/25 In-person access to film screenings on Sunday, 9/25/2022. DSFF panels, workshops, and virtual events not included. {} {}
Industry/Creator Badge, North Star Story Summit (NS3) in-person access to all ten days of NS3 / Duluth Superior Film Festival, Minnesota Web Fest, and Catalyst Content Festival screenings Priority seating, prior to the general public, for all NS3 screenings. Includes NS3 panels, table readings, pitch presentations, and industry parties Includes NS3 virtual pass access and Script-to-Screen workshop. {} {}
General Audience Day Pass 9/22 In-person access to film screenings on Sunday, 9/22/2022. DSFF panels, workshops, and virtual events not included. {} {}
General Audience Day Pass 9/24 In-person access to film screenings on Sunday, 9/24/2022. DSFF panels, workshops, and virtual events not included. {} {}
General Audience, DSFF Festival Pass: In-person access to all Duluth Superior Film Festival film screenings. In-person access to all Minnesota Webfest screenings and events. Priority seating, prior to the general public, for all DSFF and MNWF screenings. DSFF panels, workshops, and virtual events not included. {} {}
DSFF Industry/Creator Badge: In-person access to all Duluth Superior Film Festival film screenings. In-person access to all Minnesota Webfest screenings and events. Priority seating, prior to the general public, for all DSFF and MNWF screenings. Includes all DSFF and MNWF panels, table readings, pitch presentations, and industry parties. {} {}
General Audience Day Pass 9/23 In-person access to film screenings on Sunday, 9/23/2022. DSFF panels, workshops, and virtual events not included. {} {}
General Audience, North Star Story Summit 10-Day Summit Badge: In-person access to all ten days of Duluth Superior Film Festival, Minnesota Web Fest, and Catalyst Content Festival screenings. Priority seating, prior to the general public, for all Summit screenings. Includes pitch presentations, script readings, and selected events. Panels & workshops not included. {} {}
Do you simply want to watch great films, TV shows, and web series and hear some great podcasts? The "All Screenings" pass for the North Star Story Summit provides access to all screenings for Catalyst, Duluth Superior Film Festival, Minnesota WebFest, and EDUFest. {} {}
Join us for a relaxing end-of-festival get-together and set sail for a cruise on Lake Superior. {} {}
The "Creator Pass" provides creates with complete access to all events across Catalyst, Duluth Superior Film Festival, and Minnesota WebFest. {"blocks": {"max_on_demand_replays": -1, "max_on_demand_items": -1, "max_items": -1, "max_replays": -1}, "live": {"max_on_demand_replays": -1, "max_on_demand_items": -1, "max_items": -1, "max_replays": -1}, "streams": {"max_on_demand_replays": -1, "max_on_demand_items": -1, "max_items": -1, "max_replays": -1}} {"blocks": ["*"], "live": ["*"], "streams": ["*"]}
The "Single Day" pass provides access to all Catalyst, Duluth Superior Film Festival, and Minnesota WebFest screenings on the day of your choice. {"live": {"max_on_demand_replays": -1, "max_on_demand_items": -1, "max_items": -1, "max_replays": -1}} {"live": []}
Single Event {"live": {"max_on_demand_replays": -1, "max_on_demand_items": -1, "max_items": 1, "max_replays": -1}} {"live": ["14d51e1c-9cdd-49e8-a71d-92fff3fb6f31", "747fbb78-ec29-431c-9f1d-ad564aea4d8b", "ef1f8743-7d86-4d06-8024-a47deb9a9881", "97e0beb2-2260-4f17-9bd9-dc1ccf2714af", "e0564d05-33bc-4dd3-8f16-d414adc93b9b", "2e9e3030-52ee-4021-ac91-1bec88b3ecfd", "b295dded-86fa-462c-959c-da3a964c268f", "829dd837-77b4-4f2c-8d98-528d93a17886", "e4e03ea2-9c1a-430a-a5bc-7bf4c56310eb", "99c4dcad-56e2-40ee-8bc4-7c56adecabd9", "017734ac-ebc2-44c6-a521-5be0d5948263", "872f6faf-5720-4278-8ed9-baec0245f174", "7daa4987-05a5-405b-8221-83b5f7f25862", "9ec96555-2adc-4aae-af13-662ff8078cd7", "974a2c6d-c887-4cc7-a46e-59fe091a6213", "1c7b9ad4-51ee-4a9c-bda8-55b091468eda"]}
Domus de Janas Much like the rugged cliffs and dense forests of the North Shore, Sardinia’s landscapes are steeped in mystery and legend. In Domus de Janas, director Myriam Raccah invites you to explore Sardinia’s ancient burial sites—once thought to be the homes of fairies or witches—where past and present intertwine. As the film uncovers stories that connect ancient rituals to the lives of modern Sardinians, you’ll find echoes of the North Shore’s own blend of natural beauty and folklore. This cinematic fresco, shaped by the hands of local residents, offers a poetic journey that resonates with the wild, untamed spirit familiar to anyone who has stood on the shores of Lake Superior. Screens with Patient (Lori Felker, USA, 2024, 20min) Fiction, reality, the private, and the performed overlap on a routine but emotional day at a medical center
Freedom, Wisconsin (Molly Preston, 2023, USA, 73min) Freedom, Wisconsin is a dark comedy that follows Penny, a disillusioned young woman trapped in a cycle of monotonous small-town life. Stuck in a dead-end job, drinking cheap beer, and crashing funerals for kicks, Penny's routine is upended when her bartender introduces her to Ephram, a struggling writer on a Midwest cycling quest for inspiration. With nowhere else to go, Ephram pitches his tent in Penny's front yard, setting off a series of unexpected and uproarious events. As Penny contemplates the end of her funeral-crashing escapades and Ephram seeks his literary muse, their unlikely encounter sparks a chaotic journey that could change both their lives forever. Will Penny’s days of mischief come to a close, or will Ephram's presence ignite a new chapter in her life?,
Cash For Gold (Deborah Puette, Robert Enriquez, USA, 2024, 92min) Filmmakers in attendance! Set against the backdrop of Chisholm, MN, Cash for Gold unravels a gripping narrative of loss, redemption, and the unforgiving pull of past mistakes. Grace, an Army widow clinging to sobriety and struggling to support her young son as Christmas approaches, takes a desperate job at the Queen of Persia Gold Emporium, a pawn shop run by the town’s only Muslim family. The friction is immediate when she meets Hasan, the owner's son, who harbors secrets of his own. As their uneasy relationship evolves, they are drawn into a high-stakes confrontation that will test their limits. Featuring an exceptional cast including Deborah Puette (Revolution), Farshad Farahat (Argo), David Sullivan (Argo), JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist), Jeff Kober (Sons of Anarchy), and Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), this poignant tale of forgiveness and hope challenges Grace and Hasan to confront their darkest truths. Will this explosive night be their undoing or their chance at a new beginning?
Shadows in the Ordinary This collection of short films immerses viewers in a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur, revealing the profound impact of personal struggles on our external environment. Each film explores the tension between the familiar and the unsettling, as characters confront their fears, grief, and inner demons. From a chilling family dynamic threatened by dark forces to the surreal manifestations of heartbreak in a new home, and the hauntingly poignant attempts to reclaim lost love through unconventional means, these narratives delve into the eerie and often unsettling ways our emotional landscapes shape and distort the world around us. Through a blend of horror, dark comedy, and poignant drama, this program offers a compelling examination of how deeply personal experiences can become both a source of terror and a catalyst for profound self-discovery.
Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted! (Issac Gale, Ryan Olson, 2024, USA, 97min) Filmmaker in attendance! Plunge into the electrifying world of Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted!—a film that’s as wild and unpredictable as the legendary musicians it showcases. Imagine a creative sanctuary in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where three iconic Black musicians have turned their home into a nonstop party of sound, laughter, and endless creativity. Swamp Dogg, the cult music rebel with over five decades of mind-blowing artistry, has crafted a "bachelor pad for aging musicians" like no other. Alongside the mad genius of Moogstar and the legendary licks of Guitar Shorty, Swamp Dogg is still shaking up the music world—one wild jam session at a time. This film is a vibrant, high-octane ride through Swamp Dogg’s unstoppable career, blending side-splitting anecdotes, jaw-dropping performances, and a career spanning over 2,000 songs and 26 groundbreaking albums. It’s not just a music documentary; it’s an explosion of creativity where the rules don’t apply, and the fun never stops. Prepare to be blown away by this raucous celebration of friendship, music, and the sheer joy of living life full throttle.
Vulcanizadora Get ready for a cinematic experience like no other with Joel Potrykus’s VULCANIZADORA. Set in the foreboding Michigan woods, this film follows two friends (Potrykus and Joshua Burge) who dive into a dark and electrifying mission that quickly unravels, leading one to face the harrowing consequences of their actions back home. Potrykus, celebrated for his fearless storytelling, intertwines heavy metal comedy with profound existential drama, exploring the raw space between hope and despair, life and death. The film delves into the poignant contrasts between the two friends—one who feels he has nothing left to live for and the other who discovers he has something to fight for. As actions and consequences collide, VULCANIZADORA delivers a gripping narrative where desperate choices create powerful reverberations. With Potrykus’s signature edgy style and outstanding performances from both him and Burge, this film promises a genre-defying adventure that will challenge and captivate audiences, leaving a lasting impression.
A Good Wolf Good Wolf dives deep into the rugged wilds on the northeastern edge of Denali National Park, a battleground where human interests clash over the fate of wolves and bears. This isn’t just a documentary about predators—it's about the intense struggle to find balance in one of America's last truly wild places. Wildlife activists, a local hunter, and Denali's own biologists take center stage in this three-year journey through Alaska's untamed frontier. As they navigate the fierce debates over conservation, hunting rights, and the very essence of wilderness, Good Wolf reveals the stark contrasts in how we value our wild spaces and the creatures that inhabit them. Get ready for a powerful exploration of what it means to coexist with the wild.
Boundary Breakers Dive into a captivating collection of avant-garde cinema that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. From a gripping clash between virtual violence and real-world consequences to a nostalgic tribute contrasting modern tech with a classic device, this program is full of surprises. Enjoy unique, thought-provoking perspectives on digital dreams, personal struggles, and animated critiques of today’s most pressing issues. This eclectic mix promises an engaging and eye-opening cinematic experience you won’t want to miss.
Pieces of Us Experience a powerful collection of short films that speak to the heart of human resilience, crafted to resonate with a wide audience. This program brings together a diverse array of stories, each exploring personal and societal challenges that reflect the complexities of everyday life. From moments of quiet introspection to intense struggles, these films delve into the intersections of human experience—capturing fleeting connections and profound impacts. With narratives ranging from eerie suspense to poignant realities, this selection offers something for everyone, appealing to those drawn to tales of creative ambition, social justice, and the universal search for meaning. This program promises to engage, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
The Dells (Nellie Kluz, 2024, USA, 72 min) Dive into the surreal world of The Dells, where American kitsch meets the clash of dreams and reality. Set in Wisconsin Dells, the so-called “Waterpark Capital of the World,” this film offers a sharp, sometime comedic look at the lives of international student workers on J-1 visas. Hailing from countries like Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic, these students land in a town bustling with waterparks and tourist traps, only to find themselves grappling with the gritty reality of low-wage jobs and cultural missteps. As they juggle lifeguarding, housekeeping, and serving, The Dells reveals a uniquely American experience through their eyes: the frustration of unfulfilled promises, the absurdity of their situations, and the rare moments of genuine connection. With its blend of humor and poignant observation, this film captures the bittersweet essence of chasing dreams in the land of opportunities, revealing both the harsh realities and the enduring hope that define that journey.
Light Needs Get ready to see houseplants like you've never seen them before. Light Needs is an experimental documentary that dives deep into the surprisingly intimate and complex relationships we form with our green companions. This isn't just a film about plants; it's a journey through the homes and workplaces of plant lovers, uncovering the hidden dynamics of how we coexist with these silent yet expressive beings. Captured over several years, the film showcases a variety of spaces where plants and people share their lives. But Light Needs goes beyond mere observation—it's a thought-provoking exploration of what we gain and lose in these unique relationships. By focusing on the social contracts between humans and plants, the film challenges us to reconsider our responsibilities toward all living beings. This film will make you see your own houseplants in a whole new light.
Ruins & Reveries This program takes you on a journey through America's evolving landscapes, where the remnants of past dreams and the stark realities of modern life intersect. From an abandoned resort in the Catskills that invites reflection on history, culture, and healing, to a 1968 urban renewal project where concrete utopias clash with grassroots resistance, the films explore the complex dynamics of American identity and architecture. In a small Virginia town, the passage of time is captured through super-8 film, documenting the subtle yet profound changes in a community's built environment. Together, these films offer a poetic and provocative meditation on the American dream—its aspirations, its ruins, and the ways in which it continues to shape our world.
The Wild Within This compelling shorts program weaves together a diverse collection of shorts that capture the profound connections between people and the natural world. From the icy wilderness of the Boundary Waters to the swamps of the American South, each film offers a unique perspective on the beauty, challenges, and urgent needs of our environment. This program journeys through personal and collective battles for conservation, celebrates the intricacies of ecosystems, and highlights the intimate, transformative experiences that unfold in the wild. Through these stories, viewers gain insight into the landscapes and lives at the edge of nature’s wonder and fragility.
In the Echoes This program explores the complex terrain of contested histories, where personal journeys intersect with collective memory and unresolved pasts. Through stories that span from intimate family secrets to broader communal legacies, the films examine the tensions between belonging and exclusion, the scars of displacement, and the silent witnesses of history embedded in the land. Whether uncovering forgotten mysteries or grappling with the remnants of colonialism, these narratives invite viewers to reconsider how we connect with our histories and the places we call home.
Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois is a riotous comedy that takes you on a nostalgic joyride! After three decades apart, two childhood friends reunite at their high school reunion and dust off their long-forgotten bucket list. What follows is a wild adventure through Aledo’s most mischievous escapades—think skinny dipping in the town pool, daring make-out sessions, and a hilarious shoplifting spree. But their fun hits a snag with the bumbling sheriff hot on their trail, creating a side-splitting chase full of mishaps and mayhem. This heartwarming and hilarious film celebrates enduring friendships and the chaotic joy of youth, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a laugh-out-loud ride with Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois! Screen with Collage (Marius Conrotto, 2024, Spain, 10 min) A museum worker tries to convince a co-worker that two visitors are flirting, citing six scientifically proven signs of attraction
Beyond the Lakes Experience the powerful storytelling of Minnesota filmmakers in this captivating short film program, where each narrative explores the raw, emotional struggles that define our deepest connections. Through tales of grief and redemption, these films delve into the complexities of family bonds, the courage to break free from cycles of pain, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of loss. Set against the evocative landscapes of Minnesota—from the isolation of a lakeside cabin to the fading venues of the Blues scene—these stories resonate with universal themes of resilience and renewal. Don’t miss this chance to journey through these deeply human experiences, all brought to life by the unique voices of Minnesota’s talented filmmakers.
English

Profile

Contact Information

  • Change Contact Email
  • Change Language

Membership

Account

  • Manage payment info

Devices

  • Register your set-top or mobile device

Tickets

  • Claim Ticket

Privacy

  • Change Settings

If you don’t have an Apple ID or Google account, click either button and follow the prompts to create a new account.

Enter the code below into your set top device to associate it with your account.

Duluth Superior Film Festival
Overview
Technology
Essential Functions
Non-essential Functions

We respect your privacy

We use various technologies to track your identity and your interaction with our content while you are on our site. Our goal is to limit the use of this kind of technology to functions that are strictly necessary for the purpose of being a festival attendee, filmmaker, judge, or presenter. You have full control over the few exceptions that are not strictly necessary.

Cookies and Local Storage

We do not use any first-party cookies on this site, though we do use a newer technology called "local storage" to store information about your identity and interaction with our site on your computer. We may use a third-party cookie for analytics tracking and another for your purchases. We do not use third-party cookies for the purposes of advertising or collecting information for use by third-parties.

Use of Essential Cookies/Storage

The primary need for our storage of data on your computer is to track your authentication status and synchronize the purchases stored on the web site, thus enabling you to access the content to which you have access. When you are not authenticated, we also use this technology to track viewing of content in verification of our right to show you that content. On your profile page, you can see the information we store about you and manage it. You do have the right to be forgotten by us, but you will lose access to any purchased content should you exercise this right.

Non-essential Cookies/Storage Preferences

There are two non-essential functions: our use of Google Analytics to help us analyize usage of our web site and our automated watch list tracking. You may turn off one or both non-essential functions. We do ask that you allow these functions as they are used solely for the purposes of bettering this web site and are not used for advertising or sold tracking your beavhior for use by third-parties.

Tracking
Watch List

Click "Accept" to accept this use of cookies or "Reject" reject all but essential cookies.