Twin Cities Film Fest

06/18/2026

Meet the Experts Behind What the Vertical? - happening TONIGHT (06/18/26) 📱

Join Zao Wang and Rachel Zilberg for an inside look at one of the fastest-growing trends in entertainment: vertical filmmaking. Zao has directed award-winning vertical microdramas and worked with major studios including HBO, Sony, and NBCUniversal, while Rachel has led development on more than 25 original vertical series viewed by millions.

During this online TCFF Insider Series event, they'll discuss mobile-first storytelling, shooting for 9:16, audience viewing habits, monetization opportunities, branded content, and where the future of vertical film is headed.

Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, student, or simply curious about the evolution of digital storytelling, this conversation is for you.

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tcff-insider-series-what-the-vertical-tickets-1989316999697
TCFF Members attend FREE.

06/18/2026

Meet the Experts Behind What the Vertical? - happening TONIGHT (06/18/26) 📱

Join Zao Wang and Rachel Zilberg for an inside look at one of the fastest-growing trends in entertainment: vertical filmmaking. Zao has directed award-winning vertical microdramas and worked with major studios including HBO, Sony, and NBCUniversal, while Rachel has led development on more than 25 original vertical series viewed by millions.

During this online TCFF Insider Series event, they'll discuss mobile-first storytelling, shooting for 9:16, audience viewing habits, monetization opportunities, branded content, and where the future of vertical film is headed.

Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, student, or simply curious about the evolution of digital storytelling, this conversation is for you.

🎟️ Tickets available - LINK IN BIO. TCFF Members attend FREE.

06/15/2026

The Raymond J. Christensen Foundation and Twin Cities Film Fest are searching for Minnesota's next great documentary filmmaker.

Winner Receives:
✔ Grant Funding
✔ Guaranteed Screening Placement at the 2027 Twin Cities Film Fest

How It Works:
1️⃣ Apply by August 15, 2026
2️⃣ Top 3 finalists selected
3️⃣ Pitch your project live at TCFF 2026
4️⃣ Jury and audience voting
🏆 Winner announced October 24, 2026

Apply 👉 https://www.rjchristensen-fdn.org/make-the-cut-award-application-form/

This is your opportunity to showcase your vision, connect with industry professionals, and bring your story to a larger audience.

At the Raymond J. Christensen Foundation, we support independent documentary filmmakers on their journey to tell powerful stories.

06/13/2026

Become a 2026 sponsor of Twin Cities Film Fest and connect your brand with year-round film events, community engagement, celebrity appearances, and one of the Midwest’s leading film festivals.

Flexible sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses of all sizes—join us in supporting storytelling, creativity, and the arts in 2026.

Learn more -->

TCFF customizes each sponsor partnership to maximize exposure to over 13,000 attendees. No matter the budget size, TCFF will find a way for your company to capture our engaged and enthusiastic audiences. For more information, please fill out the application form and our Executive Director Jatin Seti...

06/12/2026

⏰ Feature Film Late Deadline: June 12 — Submit now!

Upcoming FINAL deadlines:
Short Films Final Extended Deadline: June 19
Feature Films Final Extended Deadline: July 22

Notification Date: September 4, 2026
Festival Dates: October 15–24, 2026

Join filmmakers from around the world and share your story with passionate audiences, industry professionals, and fellow creators.

Submit today before the next deadline passes!

06/11/2026

The future of storytelling is vertical.

Join award-winning creators Zao Wang and Rachel Zilberg for an inside look at how vertical films and mobile-first content are changing the entertainment industry.

June 18, 2026 | Online via Zoom

LINK IN BIO

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06/11/2026

🎬 Award-winning filmmakers Zao Wang and Rachel Zilberg are helping shape the future of storytelling—and now you can learn directly from them.

Join us for TCFF Insider Series: What the Vertical? as we explore how mobile-first content, vertical films, and emerging audience trends are creating new opportunities for filmmakers and creators around the world.

Whether you're a filmmaker, student, content creator, or simply curious about where entertainment is headed, this live online conversation is one you won't want to miss.

📅 June 18, 2026
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Tickets just $10

Reserve your spot today --> https://tinyurl.com/mvu57z8b

06/10/2026

The way audiences consume entertainment is evolving rapidly — and vertical storytelling is leading the charge.

06/08/2026

📱Is vertical filmmaking the future of entertainment?

From mobile-first storytelling to binge-worthy microdramas, short-form content is changing the way audiences consume stories. Learn the difference between vertical films and microdramas, why they're exploding in popularity, and what it means for the future of filmmaking.

Read the blog: https://medium.com//vertical-filmmaking-vs-microdramas-understanding-the-fastest-growing-trend-in-entertainment-8e9370939a81

The entertainment industry is constantly evolving, and one of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the rise of mobile-first…