World Premiere: FRFF's First Self-Produced Documentary
For nearly two decades, the Frozen River Film Festival has been a cornerstone of cultural engagement in Winona, showcasing thought-provoking documentaries that spark conversation and foster connection. As we celebrate our 20th year, we're proud to announce the world premiere of our first self-produced documentary: Beneath the Ice: The Frozen River Film Festival Story.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Directed by Curtis Matzke, Beneath the Ice takes audiences behind the scenes of the festival, offering an intimate look at the people and community that have made the event such a vital part of Winona’s cultural landscape. In just under 30 minutes, the film explores the evolution of the festival, highlighting its commitment to bringing diverse perspectives, compelling narratives, and challenging subjects to local audiences. Evan Frestedt, an intern for the production team, shares his experience with this project, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time working on Beneath the Ice! It was my first big project outside of college and I got to learn a lot about what goes into the process of filming, editing, and polishing a documentary of this size.”
Still from Beneath the Ice
The Importance of Community
Producer Danielle Schwartz reflects on the documentary’s production: “While making Beneath the Ice: The Frozen River Film Festival Story, we discovered that the festival plays an important role in the Winona community and, at the same time, there would be no festival without the community’s support. That kind of symbiotic relationship is a really beautiful part of Winona’s history.” This documentary is a celebration of that unique relationship between the festival and the town, showcasing how together, we’ve created something truly special. Frestedt also found that community is a key part of this unique festival, “I also got to meet a lot of great people and am excited to see them all again at this year’s festival!” People tend to find a sense of community not only in the Winona bit it connects people to a wider audience that return year after year. Another intern in the early process of the production of this film, Noah Kuball, found that this festival had more of an impact than he had realized, “I really appreciate how the Frozen River Film Festival gives opportunities for underrepresented communities and people a chance to share their stories. It is a lovely festival that more people should hear about.”
Join Us for the Premiere
We invite you to join us for the premiere of Beneath the Ice at the 2025 Frozen River Film Festival on Saturday February 15 at 7:00 pm at Winona State University Campus in SLC 120. This landmark moment in the festival’s history is an opportunity to reflect on the journey we’ve shared with this incredible community and to look ahead to what the future holds for documentary film in Winona.
Stay tuned for more details on our 2025 festival lineup, and don’t miss this exciting premiere!
