Film Score Fest is a one-of-a-kind event in St. Paul, Minnesota. Filmmakers and composers are randomly paired to create new short films, and the Film Score Fest orchestra performs the scores live at the screening.
Anyone can participate for free, including you!
At a Glance
- 8 years of screenings at Landmark Center, The Science Museum of MN, and Mears Park
- 300-500 audience members attend each screening
- 100+ filmmakers and 100+ composers have created new films, most of whom are Minnesotans
- 16-musician orchestra and conductor, including top Twin Cities musical talent
- $500 scholarships awarded in 2023 to five BIPOC Minnesota filmmakers
“The idea of showing newly made films by local filmmakers with a live orchestra is something that is so special and revolutionary that it must happen again, and grow!” -John Akre, Film Score Fest participant
History
Film Score Fest began in 2014 as a collaboration between the MNKINO video-making community, led by Oanh Vu, and the Composer Quest music composition community, led by Charlie McCarron. Both organizations held bi-monthly challenges open to creators at all skill levels, and one of their challenges turned into Film Score Fest.
The festival has grown into a premier film and music event for local creators to participate in, resulting in the creation of close to 200 new films over the years. In 2021, 18 short films were premiered for nearly 500 audience members at Mears Park.
Participating Artists
Film Score Fest is the only festival where filmmakers and composers are randomly paired to create new films with live orchestral scoring. Thanks to consistent funding from the St. Paul Cultural STAR Grant, MRAC, and audience donations, Film Score Fest has always been free to enter as a creator.
Film Score Fest has screened short films by artists of all styles and skill levels, from a 5-year-old’s first stop-motion animation to 64-year-old’s personal search for peace. Each year, Film Score Fest pledges that at least half of the films screened are created by an artist with a marginalized identity.
In 2023, five BIPOC Minnesota filmmakers were selected for a new scholarship. Five $500 scholarships were awarded to help filmmakers fund production costs for their Film Score Fest short film.
Leadership
Charlie McCarron – Co-founder and Executive Director
Katherine Vo – Director of Diversity and Belonging
Kurt Hattenberger – Music Director
Support
Oanh Vu – Co-founder
Michael Maiorana – Orchestra Assistant
Partner Organizations
- History Theatre – Screening Venue Host
- Twin Cities Film Fest – Promotional Sponsor, Kickoff Event Host
- FilmNorth – Promotional Sponsor, Fiscal Sponsor
- Twin Cities Media Alliance – DEI Consultation
Grant Support
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
This activity is supported, in part, by the City of Saint Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitilization Program.
