Join us for the 8th annual Red Cedar Film Festival, to be held at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, a grand historic building built in 1889 in downtown Menomonie, Wisconsin.

https://www.mabeltainter.org

Awards & Prizes

Jury awards are given for the following categories:

Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animated Feature
Best Animated Short
Best Midwest Roots
Best Family Friendly
Best Student Feature
Best Student Short

Films competing in juried categories are chosen solely at the discretion of the RCFF programming team. Acceptance to the festival does not guarantee placement in competition.

RCFF juries are comprised of filmmakers, film critics and industry figures.

Prizes to be announced.

Rules & Terms

1. Film screeners will only be accepted via FilmFreeway.
2. Films must have been completed on or after December 31, 2023.
3. Films in theatrical or digital release in Wisconsin or Minnesota prior to, or at the time of the festival (September, 2026) are not eligible.
4. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.
5. Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print, and at live Festival events.
6. All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles are not eligible.
7. Student film entries must include proof of student status at the time of production (i.e. a student ID listed on your FilmFreeway page for student verification. A film school
logo at the start of the film works too).
8. Midwest Roots are films of any length that are shot or have a primary Cast/Crew connection though the following States: ND, SD, MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, IA, MO, & NE.
9. Fee waivers will not be granted to submissions from countries/filmmakers under international sanctions.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rashmi Rustagi

    Even though I could not make it to the festival, I heard great things from my producer who represented us. Screening my feature, Designed by Preeti, was an absolute thrill. And winning the Best Narrative Feature Award was the cherry on top! Peter's communication, thoughtful curation, and dedication to creating an unforgettable experience showed. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your thoughtful message. We were truly honored to include Designed by Preeti in this year’s festival lineup. Although we missed having you in person, your film made a powerful impression, and the Best Narrative Feature Award was a testament to its impact.
    I’m grateful for your kind words regarding the festival experience. It was a pleasure curating a program that celebrates such compelling storytelling, and I’m thrilled it resonated with you and your team.

  • Dylan Gary

    Great festival. Peter was so great to work with and professional.And the slate of films was top notch. I unfortunately was unable to attend in person at the last minute. But will definitely be applying again with the next film! Thank you to the entire Red Cedar team!

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. We look forward to your next project.

  • Melle Windig

    Thank you for hosting our short stop motion film Cell Buddies at your film festival and amazing looking theatre! Unfortunately it was not possible to attend but the communication with the festival has been great.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    It was a true honor to screen your film. Our team is passionate about presenting exceptional international work, and we take special pride in highlighting the creativity and vision of student filmmakers like yours.

  • Pep Stojanovic

    My wife accompanied me to all 4 days of the fest, hotel is across the street from a magnificent historic theater (Mabel Tainter) and is within a few blocks of really nice restaurants, main street, and sights. We enjoyed all that, didn't move the car at all throughout the weekend. Offerings were all excellent and high quality films. The fest directors were all very friendly, helpful, insightful, full of industry knowledge, and were happy to chat with you about your film, the fest, and anything film. I would certainly re-submit another film there and would absolutely LOVE to be there with it. Everything ran on time. And, if you are interested in ghosts still floating around at the theater, we experience a few of their benign shenanigans! Great fest, great films, great people, and Menomonie WI is fantastic in between screenings!

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with you—and we truly enjoyed your film as well.

  • Larry Ziegelman

    My film was lucky enough to get selected to screen at Red Cedar Film. I didn't get to experience the festival idue to finances, but had excellent communication with Peter Galante when he surprised me with an award! Seemed to be very well organized and thoughtful to filmmakers. And I'm super grateful and honored for the judges excellent taste in films! 😊

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words.