About
North Star Film Festival is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit film festival created to support local filmmakers, actors, writers, students, and creative teams.
Our goal is to make filmmaking more accessible by giving artists a place to create, screen, and celebrate their work with the community. We believe local stories deserve a stage, and we want to help more people take part in the filmmaking process, whether they are experienced filmmakers or just starting out.
Our Mission
Our mission is to uplift local filmmaking by creating accessible opportunities for filmmakers, actors, students, and creative teams to produce, share, and celebrate independent films.
What We Do
North Star Film Festival provides screening opportunities, filmmaker resources, community events, creative challenges, student support, and recognition for local artists. Through our festival programs, we help connect filmmakers with audiences, collaborators, volunteers, and supporters.
Our Community Impact
We support the local arts community by giving independent filmmakers and performers a platform to be seen. Our festival encourages collaboration, mentorship, creative growth, and community connection. We also aim to make participation more accessible through discounts, resources, and opportunities for students and emerging artists.
Leadership and Board Members
Joey Pham
Co-Founder / Board Member / Authorized Representative
Joey Pham is the Co-Founder of North Star Film Festival and serves as an authorized representative of the organization. He helps lead the festival’s planning, filmmaker programs, community outreach, and overall operations. Joey is passionate about creating more opportunities for local filmmakers, actors, students, and creative teams to share their work and connect with the community.
Contact:
joey@northstarfestival.com
hello@northstarfestival.com
Kari Layland
Co-Founder / Board Member
Kari Layland is the Co-Founder of North Star Film Festival. She is a filmmaker, actress, and professional portrait photographer with a strong passion for storytelling and supporting creative artists. Through her background in film, photography, and local creative work, Kari helps bring an artist-focused perspective to the festival’s mission of uplifting filmmakers, actors, students, and community storytellers.
Contact: kari@northstarfestival.com
Alex Suszko
Board Member
Alex Suszko is a filmmaker, producer, director, and videographer with experience in independent film, community media, and video production. Through his work in the Twin Cities creative community, Alex brings a strong understanding of storytelling, production, and local filmmaking. His background helps support North Star Film Festival’s mission of creating more opportunities for filmmakers, actors, students, and creative teams to share their work with the community.
Contact: alex@northstarfestival.com
North Star Film Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For nonprofit verification, sponsorship, donation, or partnership questions, please contact us at:
joey@northstarfestival.com
hello@northstarfestival.com
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