Arts News
MN Films at the Fair - Film Submissions Accepted
MN FILMS at the FAIR!
Square Lake Film & Music is beyond excited to present five nights of Minnesota-made film & animation at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair on August 28, 29 & September 4-6.
They’ll be screening films outdoors after sunset on a large screen situated near the Pet Pavillion in the NW corner of the fairgrounds near Machinery Hill.
Every film accepted for MN Films at the Fair is a winner and will be screened in front of the largest event in Minnesota!
They will connect you with on-site media at the State Fair (WCCO, KARE II, MPR) to promote your film on the screening days.
Submission info:
Submissions are now open for the inaugural “MN Films at the Fair” presented by Square Lake Film & Music on weekend evenings at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair: 8/28-29 & 9/4-6. They’re looking for short film & animation (15 seconds to 15 min) from all genres made by artists from all across Minnesota. There are no submission fees. Each selected film will be screened at the largest event in Minnesota. They’ll showcase participating artists at the screenings with post-film Q/As and promotional opportunities.
Regular Submission: July 6. Final Deadline: July 27. Screening decisions announced in early August.
Click here for their FilmFreeway submission link or email squarelakefestival@gmail.com
Workbench Filmmaker Intensive Oct 20 - 22
Announcing:
A 3 Day Intensive for Aspiring Filmmakers!
Led by award winning LA filmmaker David Leidy, the Workbench Filmmaker Intensive will lead a group of aspiring filmmakers through 3 packed days of learning the ins and outs of making your own film. The Intensive runs October 20th & 21st and culminates with a showing of the newly created films and a reading of the full length screenplay The Secret Keepers on October 22nd.
They are currently accepting applications for filmmakers interested in making their own short film.
Filmmakers of all levels are welcome. Participants will be led through a series of exercises by award winning LA filmmaker David Leidy and NYC screenwriter Gregory Paul, culminating in a public showing of the created films and a reading of the full length screenplay The Secret Keepers. The cost for this workshop is free but come ready to work!
No previous experience is required to participate.
If you are interested or know someone who might be, head on over to www.northernlightopera.org to apply or click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1ABZ9gS4XCQyO14CGoeHONDkkR7PAAveoxPx83jqJ8oTVkQ/viewform?usp=pp_url