The community is invited to experience two days of independent film on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26 at Eagan Emagine Theater. 

Eagan Film Festival returns for its ninth year, celebrating local and independent filmmakers and bringing a diverse lineup of films to the community. Hosted by Eagan Television and sponsored by Emagine, the 2026 festival will take place at Emagine Theater in Eagan on Sept. 25 and 26. 

The lineup is designed to offer something for every type of film fan. Friday’s programming begins with student shorts and Minnesota short films before moving into feature presentations. Saturday expands the lineup with documentaries, drama, comedy, animation, and horror, allowing audiences to experience a wide range of stories and genres. In addition to the variety of genres, Eagan Film Fest celebrates a diversity of perspectives through featured categories including Queer Stories, BIPOC Voices, and Women in Focus. 

To learn more about the festival’s history, community impact and what makes the event unique, ETV Community Producer Josh Sibley offers a behind-the-scenes look at the festival and its continued growth.

The festival has evolved significantly over the years. What began as a one-day event — part of a kids' summer camp — has grown into its own full weekend dedicated to film. That growth began with a decision to expand the event, and Sibley reflects on what inspired the change, plus how the festival has developed since then. 

The motivation to expand the event to two days came after Sibley visited Ely’s four-day film festival. He says, “I had a ton of fun, and I was kind of like, how do I bring that back to our festival? So, now we’re trying to create more of an event with it.” 

That experience helped shape ETV’s vision for creating a festival that feels like more than a series of film screenings. Josh says the team wanted to create an event-like atmosphere that would benefit both the community and the filmmakers attending. 

“For the filmmakers, it’ll be great because they can check out different blocks they want to see or just connect with other filmmakers,” Sibley says. 

Those connections are an important part of what makes the Eagan Film Festival different. At its heart are local independent films and the filmmakers who bring them to life. ETV has created an outlet for cinephiles and filmmakers alike, helping foster greater community involvement while creating opportunities for local voices to be seen and heard — including through the spotlight categories Queer Stories, BIPOC Voices, and Women in Focus. 

“You get to see some really unique stories and people who are just doing it on their own, which is awesome. I think having that artistic voice be seen is a great thing,” Sibley says. 

While supporting filmmakers is a central part of the festival, ETV also wants the event to feel accessible and meaningful to the people who live in Eagan. 

“We’re not just making this for the filmmakers; we’re making it for the Eagan community as well. We’re hoping to bring this film fest to everyone’s backyard,” Sibley says. 

That community focus extends to filmmakers of all ages. A passion for film can begin at any age, and ETV has always placed a high priority on the festival’s student film section. The program allows young filmmakers to share their work, gain experience, and become part of the local film community. 

“I think it’s important because it gives students an opportunity to have their work seen. I personally love the student films; you just see the talent there,” Sibley says. 

Growing a festival to this size also comes with its share of challenges. Each year brings new lessons and opportunities to improve, helping ETV refine the experience for filmmakers and audiences alike. Sibley discusses some of the challenges the festival has faced and how those experiences have helped shape the event. 

“There’s a lot of logistics you don’t realize until you're planning it, like we’ve added merchandise and ticket sales online, just small things like that. But the hardest thing is just making sure you don’t miss something crucial,” Sibley says. 

As the festival continues to grow, ETV is also paying close attention to what success looks like from the perspective of the community. Because the Eagan Film Festival is built around connection, listening to audiences and filmmakers is an important part of strengthening the event and ensuring it continues to serve the community. 

“I think having people connect with films they’ve never seen before or feeling like they are part of something special. You can’t see these films anywhere else right now, and you may not be able to see them again. So, I think it’s really cool when you get to have a different experience like that,” Sibley says. 

Looking ahead, the ETV team is already exploring new ways to improve and evolve the Eagan Film Festival. From expanding opportunities for filmmakers to finding new ways to engage audiences, the festival continues to grow while staying true to its community-focused roots. Sibley shares what he hopes to see from the festival in the future and offers a message to those who have never attended. 

“We’d love to have more filmmaker connection opportunities like workshops or mixers, just ways to have them connect more,” Sibley says. 

For those who have yet to experience the festival, Sibley encourages them to take a chance on something new. 

“If people have not come out, they’re missing some great movies. It’s a chance to see something different. There are all sorts of different films people can come to see, and for some of these features we’re going to have the filmmakers and the cast and crew there. And I mean they’re really good!” 

With nine years of growth behind it, the Eagan Film Festival continues to provide a place for filmmakers, students, and movie lovers to come together and celebrate the art of storytelling. Whether audiences are discovering a new local filmmaker, supporting student creators or simply looking for their next favorite film, this year’s festival offers a weekend of entertainment and connection for the entire community.

Come check out Eagan Film Festival on Sept. 25 and 26. For more information visit cityofeagan.com/film-fest.