Events

February 14, 2025
4:00 pm
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
February 14, 2025
6:30 pm
Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
February 28, 2025
4:00 pm
Anangong Miigaading is the Ojibwe-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope. The film premiered in select Canadian theaters in August 2024 and will opening at EHST on 2/28.

Anangong Miigaading was created through a collaboration between Lucasfilm, the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, APTN, and the University of Manitoba. The film was dubbed in Anishinaabemowin, the indigenous language of the Great Lakes region. The project was supported by the Government of Canada. The project was created to help revitalize the endangered Anishinaabemowin language. The film was also intended to break down barriers between English and Anishinaabemowin.

Synopsis: Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
March 12, 2025
3:00 pm
IN THE LAND OF PALM OIL focuses on the casualties, both human and environmental, of palm oil exploitation in Indonesia. The film fuses first hand accounts of villagers -- victims of land-grabbing by large global corporations who pay off local and national officials -- and vérité observations of young Dayak activists who are trying to expose the brutal human rights violations.
March 12, 2025
4:00 pm
"Antarctic Voyage" is a new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Kevin Schreck about a biological research expedition to the remote island of South Georgia, starring charismatic field biologist, Dr. Samantha Monier. Part modern-day adventure film, part visual tone poem, "Antarctic Voyage" sheds a light on the current state of the polar region's majestic wildlife, and the intrepid explorers who are dedicated to preserving and understanding what remains of our fragile, vital natural world, all through a refreshingly unconventional manner from the standard nature documentary genre.
March 12, 2025
6:00 pm
Two brothers, disinherited and desperate for cash, journey into the Canadian wilds to find themselves, their people and their fortune.
March 12, 2025
7:00 pm
In the Iron Range of Minnesota, 12yo Michael is just learning to flirt with girls and find his place among his friends, when one night his mother is badly hurt. Desperate to fix what happened, Michael tries to become a man in a world where he learns some men cause harm.

Director Tessa Blake, Producer Erin Mae Miller, and leading actors Allison Miller & Bill Heck in attendance!
March 13, 2025
3:00 pm
Those of us who live here, in Northeast Minnesota know how to survive a cold winter and how to cultivate squash and tomatoes, despite a short growing season. Routines are set and potlucks are attended. One neighbor plows and another brings brownies over to the new family on the block. But how did we get here and what drives us to live in such a way?

This block explores our own relationships and stories, and the way our past interacts with our present and future. Hear reflections from your neighbors, including Lonnie Dupre, Lacey Squier, and Dave Hicks.
March 13, 2025
4:00 pm
The best laughter comes when we’re with friends, doing something we love. These filmmakers uplift and celebrate that experience! This block showcases the joys for a shared passion amidst pals.
March 13, 2025
6:30 pm
Our traditional EFF Opening Ceremony will take place in the State Theater on Thursday, March 13th at 6:30 PM (please note the time change from 7 PM). We will kick off with a performance from Waabani Noodin Drum, remarks from Indigenous cultural leaders & representatives from Ely Film Festival and Ely's Historic State Theater, followed by a showing of the regional documentary film Electric Indian. Filmmaker Leya Hale will be in attendance, with a special appearance by Keith Secola who scored the film! Q&A after the film will be followed by a live concert with Keith Secola and friends.

A documentary from filmmaker Leya Hale, The Electric Indian follows Ojibwe hockey legend, Henry Boucha. A stand-out hockey star from Warroad, Minnesota, Boucha impressed on the ice from the 1969 Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament to the 1972 Olympics to the NHL, but an on-ice assault and injury ended his athletic career that unexpectedly led to a journey of healing and cultural reclamation.