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
Saturday Schedule
11:00 AM | World of Animation
10 Animated International Short Films, Total Runtime: 1:24:06
This vibrant collection of animated shorts explores the boundaries between imagination and reality, technology and nature, despair and wonder.
From mystical realms where stars and people battle over a mysterious flower, to a 1950s Appalachian coal town where a young girl and her grandfather share quiet moments of love and loss, these films transport audiences into deeply personal and visually stunning worlds.
A hearing-impaired Indigenous girl follows ancient footprints into an enchanted forest, a lonely man in post-war Germany contemplates life at a pharmacy counter, and a brilliant neuroscientist risks everything to upload her consciousness into an AI.
Other stories include a surreal desert showdown of desire, a truth-detecting device that upends a teacher’s life (and his family’s Christmas), and two sisters navigating a futuristic oil rig in search of each other.
Together, these films celebrate the power of animation to illuminate the human spirit—through whimsy, wonder, and the courage to face the unknown.
2:00 PM | Heartland Documentaries
5 Short Documentaries, Total Runtime: 1:55:26
This compelling collection of short documentaries captures the spirit, resilience, and complexity of life in the American Midwest.
In Chippewa Falls, a small group of anti-war protesters continues a 20-year tradition of peaceful resistance, standing firm in their message long after the headlines faded. In La Crosse, elite cyclist Noah Collins races through the only three-day omnium in the U.S., reflecting on his journey and inspiring the next generation.
Ecosystem La Crosse highlights how local businesses and individuals are turning climate education into meaningful action, forging a deeper connection between community and environment. Meanwhile, Zastava Brothers follows a group of immigrants united by their love for Yugoslavian cars, whose joyride takes an unexpected turn.
Finally, The Inner Sea takes viewers on a heartfelt journey aboard a bright blue school bus, weaving together themes of adoption, music, and self-discovery.
Together, these films offer a rich, intimate portrait of the Midwest—where personal stories meet broader social movements, and where everyday lives reflect extraordinary depth.
5:00 PM | Date Night – Romantic Drama
1 Short Film, 1 Feature Total Runtime: 1:47:20
Stories of Strength and Self-Discovery.
This emotionally resonant pairing explores the courage it takes to reclaim one’s voice in the face of societal and marital oppression.
In The Dark Box, set in 1860s London, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage turns to photography as a means of escape and self-expression, capturing more than just images—she captures her freedom.
Designed by Preeti follows a modern-day heroine in her 50s who leaves an unfaithful marriage to rediscover herself through fashion design. As her daughter struggles to reconcile conflicting family narratives, Preeti’s journey becomes one of resilience, reinvention, and quiet defiance.
Together, these films offer a powerful and poignant Date Night—one that celebrates the strength it takes to walk away and the beauty of starting over.
8:00 PM – FREE COMMUNITY CINEMA NIGHT – Saint Nick of Bethlehem
Total Runtime: 1:33:29
A Family Film with Heart – A True Story
Based on the true story of Allen Smith, this heartwarming film follows a grieving father who, after the loss of his son, finds healing and purpose by embracing the role of Santa Claus. As he brings joy to others, his journey of giving leads him back to love and helps him rediscover hope in the most unexpected way.