Film @ Franconia

Franconia Summer Film Series

Franconia’s summer film series highlights the best in art films, past and present. All films take place outside in Franconia’s amphitheater and will be moved inside in case of inclement weather.

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 9pm

The Dark Crystal

Discover the magic of Jim Henson’s timeless masterpiece, The Dark Crystal, under the starry night sky at Franconia Sculpture Park’s outdoor amphitheater.

Join us on Saturday, June 3 at 9 pm for an unforgettable evening filled with wonder and enchantment. The Dark Crystal, a beloved cinematic gem, will transport you to a mystical world where heroes, creatures, and destiny collide in an epic battle for light and truth. This event will begin at 9pm when the sun sets with the screening of two short films from local filmmakers: “Cats Who Piss in Potted Plants” by Kevin Miller and “JOE” by the late Noah Rogers.

This event is free with a $5 parking fee per vehicle. Snacks and drinks will be sold on site.

Saturday, July 8, 2023 | 9pm

The Shining

Experience the iconic horror film The Shining like never before at Franconia Sculpture Park. Join us on July 8th at 9pm at our outdoor amphitheater for a thrilling screening under the stars. Immerse yourself in the eerie atmosphere as the sun sets and darkness descends upon the park. With the moon as your witness, experience the unsettling brilliance of this classic film amidst the backdrop of our captivating sculptures and the surrounding natural beauty.

This is a free event with a $5 parking fee per car. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 8pm

Franconia 5 Minute Film Fest

Franconia Sculpture Park is pleased to once again present the Franconia 5 Minute Film Fest, open for submissions from artists in Minnesota and Wisconsin working in video art, film, documentary, animation, or experimental media.

Selected videos will be screened live on Saturday, September 2 at 8:30pm during an outdoor screening as part of the Film @ Franconia series. All submissions must be under 5 minutes in length.

The following 18 filmmakers have been selected to be screened at the 2023 Franconia 5 Minute Film Festival:

Sophia Abrams
Hend Al-Mansour
Andrea Bagdon
Lisa Becker
Del Bey
Stevie Boisselle
Dewey Violet
Vincent DeZutti
Tristan Crawford
Caleb Genheimer
Andy Jacobs and Evan Flom
Sharon Mansur
Emily Nordstrom
Karly Ohnstad
Emma Ozark
Juan Perez la Cruz
Siri Stensberg
Luca Trujillo

Awards will be announced at the event.
$500 First Place
$250 Second Place
$100 Third Place

Juror Bios

Jes Reyes is an interdisciplinary artist, artist organizer, and art facilitator practicing mixed media art, video, and more. She identifies as queer, feminist, and punk. Her artwork is rooted in play, vulnerability, experimentation, collaboration, and the blending of disciplines. She has exhibited and screened her artwork throughout the Twin Cities. An extension of Jes’s art practice is in community organizing and resource building for artists. She is the founder of Moonplay Cinema, a support system for women, nonbinary, trans, and other artists marginalized due to gender. As Art Supervisor at Fresh Eye Arts, she co-leads a progressive art studio program supporting artists with disabilities with Lauren Hughes. Prior to that, she coordinated Avivo ArtWorks, a multifaceted art studio for artists living with mental illness. Jes also provides support to artists as an Artist Career Consultant with Springboard for the Arts. She is passionate about bringing people together, equitable arts leadership, and career services for all artists.

Alyssa Freitas is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist who utilizes video and sonic elements. Her construction of space explores the influx of digital culture into contemporary life. She has shown internationally, online and offline. Her work breaks conventional ideas of an art space by being showcased in various formats including outdoor projection, web installation, Minecraft rendering, and a Livestream in a miniature gallery. Freitas’ received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Maine College of Art and Master of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts. She is currently the Manager of the Chautauqua Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution and an integral part of the staff at Smackmellon in Brooklyn, NY.

Ashlyn Diaz is a visual artist who lives and works in New York, New York. Diaz earned her BFA from the University of Florida in 2016 and an MFA in 2023 at Hunter College. In the summer of 2020, Diaz received an award of full financial support to attend the Chautauqua School of Art residency program. Diaz maintains a practice rooted in care. She repurposes archived, found, and recycled materials to create works in multiple disciplines like craft, installation, film, new media, photography, and works on paper. A Florida native born of African descent, Diaz’s practice prioritizes lived experiences for people of the African diaspora and other marginalized communities. She focuses her research on healing generational trauma. Her works invite ways of being that challenge negative belief systems.

ecrac combo This activity is funded through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council through an appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature with money from the State’s general fund.