The Red Cedar Film Festival, now in its 7th year in 2025, is an annual showcase of independent cinema held in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Set against the backdrop of the historic Mabel Tainter Theater, the festival fosters a warm, community-centered atmosphere, blending local creative voices with compelling stories from around the globe.
Over 4 days Thursday 17 through 20 July, the main themes of the 2025 Red Cedar Film Festival are organized into curated blocks that reflect a wide range of storytelling styles and cultural perspectives. Detailed Descriptions, Trailers and Buy Tickets
Friday Schedule
4:30 PM | Midwest Roots – Heartland Shorts
6 Short Films, Total Runtime: 1:25:07
A curated collection of short films crafted by filmmakers from the Midwest, each set against the backdrop of their local communities and inspired by deeply personal narratives.
The overarching theme centers on personal reckoning, transformation, and the haunting persistence of the past. Each story explores characters grappling with internal or external forces that challenge their sense of identity, safety, or morality.
7 PM | Midwest Roots – Heartland Drama – Princess
Feature Film, Total Runtime: 1:25:07
After falling out with her mother over her chosen path, Ella strives to turn her life around in the hopes of reconnecting with her young daughter. Set in a quiet Midwestern town, this intimate drama explores the complexities of forgiveness, the strength it takes to change, and the quiet hope of second chances.
9:30 PM | Cinema of Trauma and Healing
9 Short International Films, Total Runtime: 1:55:48
Cinema of Trauma and Healing is a powerful anthology of award-winning short films that delve into the emotional landscapes of pain, resilience, and the human capacity for connection. Each story explores a unique facet of trauma—whether psychological, relational, or societal—and the often-fragile path toward healing.
From a blind woman unknowingly offering shelter to a desperate stranger, to estranged brothers learning to see each other anew, these films reveal how unexpected bonds can form in the shadows of suffering. A haunted ex-sniper battles inner demons with the help of a compassionate therapist, while a couple confronts the unspoken wounds of a national health crisis. Other stories explore the surreal inner world of dissociation, the quiet desperation of loneliness, and the disillusionment of a young man seeking belonging in a place far from home.
Together, these films offer a raw, intimate, and ultimately hopeful look at the ways we break—and the ways we mend.