Come join us at the South Dakota Film Festival and experience the magic of cinema on the big screen! We invite all filmmakers to participate in this annual event and showcase their talent.Founded in 2007, the SDFF highlights films from the Great Plains region (SD, MN, ND, IA, WY, MT, and NE) or films shot in the region. But don't worry, we don't just choose films based on their location. Our goal is to showcase the best films submitted, no matter where they're from.The 2023 South Dakota Film Festival will take place on September 14-17 at the historic Capitol Theatre in Aberdeen. Don't miss out on this opportunity to watch amazing films and participate in engaging discussions. See you there!

The South Dakota Film Festival is excited to declare that the prestigious "Lead ****" award has been designated in memory of our longtime supporter, Curt Gienger. Curt's deep passion for photography and filmmaking was evident throughout his life. As a dedicated sponsor of the film festival, Curt received numerous "Lead ****" awards over the years for his unwavering commitment to watching every single film.

Do you possess a leaden resolve? We invite you to join us this year, immerse yourself in all the exceptional films, and earn this prestigious accolade. Lead **** awards are given out the last day of the festival. If you miss one film you miss out on the award!

Schedule of Events

60+ Films | Come Meet Filmmakers & Honored Guests | After Parties

(FN) Feature Narrative - (SN) Short Narrative - (SSN) Student Short Narrative

(FD) Feature Documentary - (SD) Short Documentary - (SSD) Student Short Documentary

(SA) Short Animation - (SSA) Student Short Animation

* Donates films containing adult content*

At the door ticket sales start 30 minutes prior to each session start.

Session 1: Thursday, September 14 6:00-8:00pm

VIP Room open from 5:30-6:00pm for refreshments

Who's The Guy In Back? (21 mins) SD

Sam and Duke's Incredible Adventure in the Sky (8 mins) SA

Stay With Me (21 mins) SN

Technicolor (9 mins) SD

The Promotion (7 mins) SN

The Woodsman (26 mins) SSN

His, Ours, A (9 mins) * SN

Session 2 Thursday, September 14 8:30-10:45pm

VIP Room open from 8:00-8:30pm for refreshments

Baseball with Dad  (14 mins) SN

One Please (2 mins) SN

Cry Time (4 mins) SSN

Homebody (5 mins) SN

Inheritance (18 mins) * SN

Places That Are Mine (8 mins) SSN

Suzy Makes Cupcakes (10 mins) * SN

The Luminarians: Making the Luminary Loppet (14 mins) SD

We only live once (12 mins) SN

Kyle vs Karen (5 mins) SN

Session 3 Friday, September 15 3:00-5:30pm

VIP Room open from 2:30-3:00pm for refreshments

My Hatton (7 mins) SD

Old Parish Preservation Volunteers (18 mins) SD

Shiwi-verse  (10 mins) SSN

My Over There (13 mins) SN

Unwelcome (4 mins) SN

The Dean of South Dakota Broadcasting (24 mins) SD

The Library Code (8 mins) SN

For The Record (36 mins) * SD

Session 4 Friday, September 15 7:00-9:30pm

VIP Room open from 5:30-7:00pm for dinner 

Bones of Crows (129 mins) * FN

Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, Cree musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Bones of Crows is Aline's journey from child to matriarch, a moving multi-generational epic of resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.

Friday, September 15 starting at 10:00pm

VIP After Party - VIP PASS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY

Food, Music and Drinks - Red Rooster Coffee House (218 S Main St.)

Free play arcade games till 1:00am - Retrocade Classic Arcade (117 S Main St.)

Session 5 Saturday, September 16 12:00-2:30pm

VIP Room open from 11:00am-12:00pm for VIP Lunch

Health Awareness for the Incarcerated. (7 mins) SD

Good Vibrations (9 mins) * SN

Bare Metal (11 mins) SD

P@ssword Pr0blems (6 mins) SN

Goodnight, Kind Horatio... (6 mins) SSA

Twice as Good (9 mins) SD

Runaway Rebels (9 mins) * SN

Listener (15 mins) SN

The Countryman (21 mins) SN

BIG AL (18 mins) * SN

Session 6 Saturday, September 16 3:00-5:30pm

VIP Room open from 2:30-3:00pm for refreshments

Pretty Canoe (18 mins) * SN

Bonding (13 mins) SN

Out of Water (12 mins) SSN

Destination Regeneration (26 mins) SD

Guillty (19 mins) * SN

Infraction (21 mins) * SN

The Painter (16 mins) SSN

Session 7 Saturday, September 16 7:00-8:35pm

VIP Room open from 5:30-7:00pm for dinner 

Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story (81 mins) FD

Behind the Bucket is a documentary following members of the 501st Legion--Star Wars Enthusiasts--showing how they are much more than adults playing dress-up. The 501st are compassionate, charitable, and down to earth people doing what's right for those in need. There's a reason why their motto is "Bad Guys Doing Good"

Session 8 Saturday, September 16 9:00-11:00pm

VIP Room open from 8:30-9:00pm for refreshments 

The Pomp Room: A Rock N Roll Bar Story (99 mins) * FD

The Pomp Room: A Rock N Roll Bar Story is the rowdy, funny and touching story of South Dakota’s most legendary rock venue. Drinks were poured. Family was made. Hearing was lost. The story of how this Sioux Falls club influenced generations will touch your heart. Just don’t touch the carpet. 

Saturday, September 16 starting at 11:00pm

VIP After Party - VIP PASS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY

Food, Music and Drinks - Red Rooster Coffee House (218 S Main St.)

Free play arcade games till 1:00am - Retrocade Classic Arcade (117 S Main St.)

Session 9 Sunday, September 17 12:00-2:35pm

VIP Room open from 11:00am-12:00pm for VIP Lunch

SOLDIER (22 mins) * SD

Angel of Death (8 mins) SN

Fix'd Up (5 mins) SN

A Thief (5 mins) SSN

Rear (20 mins) SN

Andrew After Angola (39 mins) SSD

The Dollcatcher (15 mins) SN

Time To Do The Dishes (7 mins) * SN

Session 9 Sunday, September 17 12:00-2:35pm

VIP Room open from 11:00am-12:00pm for VIP Lunch

SOLDIER (22 mins) * SD

Angel of Death (8 mins) SN

Fix'd Up (5 mins) SN

A Thief (5 mins) SSN

Rear (20 mins) SN

Andrew After Angola (39 mins) SSD

The Dollcatcher (15 mins) SN

Time To Do The Dishes (7 mins) * SN

Tickets: $10-$225

Buy Tickets

Date: September 14-17

Location:  Capitol Theatre, 415 S. Main St Aberdeen, SD 57401

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