Red Cedar Film Festival returns September 24–27 with four days of independent film, filmmakers & stories from around the world

The 8th Annual Red Cedar Film Festival (RCFF) returns to the historic Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wisconsin, September 24–27, bringing four days of independent cinema, conversation and community to western Wisconsin.

4 days. 60 films. 12 countries. One unforgettable weekend.

This year’s festival promises its most exciting lineup yet, following a record number of film submissions for 2026. With more films submitted than ever before, RCFF’s selection committee had an exceptionally deep pool from which to choose—resulting in a diverse and compelling program of films from filmmakers across the United States and around the world.

More Films. More Time to Watch. More to Experience.

For 2026, RCFF has expanded its film screening schedule on Thursday and Friday, giving festivalgoers more opportunities to discover independent films and find new favorites.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, September 24, with its popular free Community Night screening at 7 PM. The evening offers everyone in the community a chance to experience the festival and celebrate the art of independent filmmaking —no ticket required.

Returning for 2026 is the Director’s Lounge, a relaxed gathering place where filmmakers and film fans can connect, exchange ideas and talk about the creative process between film blocks. It is a distinctive feature of the festival: a place where au diences can go beyond simply watching films and engage directly with the people who make them.

Special Feature: Broken English

A major addition to this year’s festival is a special feature-film presentation of Broken English at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 26.

From BAFTA -nominated directors Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, the team behind the Sundance award-winning 20,000 Days on Earth, Broken English offers an intimate and unconventional portrait of legendary singer, songwriter and actor Marianne Faithfull.

The documentary chronicles Faithfull’s extraordinary six-decade career—from her emergence as a teenager in the 1960s through decades of music, fame, reinvention and artistic exploration. Made with Faithfull’s full involvement before her death in January 2025, the film explores the life of an artist who continually defied expectations.

Featuring appearances and performances from friends and collaborators including Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, Courtney Love, Suki Waterhouse, Tilda Swinton and George MacKay, Broken English blends documentary, imagination and memory into what became Faithfull’s final artistic statement.

The film had its U.S. premiere at Sundance in early 2026, following its 2025 World premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Independent Film, Close to Home

The Red Cedar Film Festival continues its mission of bringing exceptional independent cinema to western Wisconsin while creating opportunities for audiences and filmmakers to connect.

Whether you come for one film or spend all four days exploring the lineup, RCFF offers an opportunity to discover stories that might otherwise never reach a local theater—and to experience them in the beautiful, historic setting of the Mabel Tainter.

The 8th Annual Red Cedar Film Festival runs September 24–27, 2026, at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

For the complete schedule, film lineup, tickets and additional information, visit redcedarfilm.org.

Media release.