Ely Film Festival 2026

The Ely Folk School is proud to be an Academy Level Sponsor of the 2026 Ely Film Festival, taking place at Ely's Historic State Theater March 11-15th.

You can find the digital guide to the Festival here:  bit.ly/effguide26 

As part of our sponsorship, we're honored to host several Film Festival events throughout festival weekend. Find our list of EFF programs here!

Palestinian Potluck: Wednesday, March 11; 5:00 pm - 6:20 pm: Join us preceding EFF's showing of Land of Canaan. Come get to know Director Maggie Lemere and learn about her storytelling process while enjoying food inspired by Palestinian dishes. Everyone is welcome and bringing a dish is not required. Find tickets to Land of Canaan here

Indigenous Athletes in Minnesota: Lunch and Panel Discussion: Thursday, March 12; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm This invite-required event features a panel with Chris Jourdain and local indigenous athletes about sports and identity in Minnesota. If you're interested in this topic, be sure to catch a showing of Remaining Native at the Ely Film Festival!

Northern Lights Clubhouse Lunch Fundraiser: March 13 & 14, 2026, 11 AM – 3 PM

Everyone needs lunch! Fuel your festival weekend with a delicious, affordable lunch — all while supporting the Clubhouse.

$10 Entrées

  Grilled or Breaded Chicken Sandwich

  Beef & Cheese Burrito

  Veggie Sandwich

  NLC’s Signature Veggie Chili

  Wild Rice Chicken Soup

$3.50 Beverages

  Dorothy’s Root Beer

  Tractor Organic Lemonade

Neighborly Shorts Block: Friday, March 13th, 3pm

We are the title sponsor of the Neighborly Shorts block! You may see some familiar faces :) Plus it features TWO films by Ely Folk School Mercantile and A/V Manager, Brett Ross!

One of our most fundamental rights is that of assembly. Getting together and defining our own story is one of our most essential sources of power. This block highlights a sampling of stories from Minnesotans. Join us as we bear witness to the space they’ve taken to explore their own stories – unequivocally, uncensored. Will you resonate with the joys and yearnings expressed here? Will we highlight you next year?

Buy tickets to the Neighborly Shorts block here.

Nourishment Shorts Block: Saturday, March 14th, 10 am

This shorts block was named after our Nourishment program area! It's sponsored by Potluck Kitchenware and highlights!

To nourish is to provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. It is to show love in its most recognizable form – caring for a person and the wellbeing of their body and mind. For how can we show up if we don’t have the energy to expend?

Buy tickets to the Nourishment shorts block here.

Nourishment Mixer: Saturday, March 14th, 12pm - 2pm

Join us after the Nourishment shorts block at Potluck Kitchenware to celebrate food and the ways it brings us together. We'll have food, drinks, and a raffle to win a Vitamix Immersion Blender!