It was a big day for the Minnesota Film Critics Alliance, with the organization announcing the winners of its annual awards Sunday.
The day isn’t just a big one because of the awards announcement, though. It is also important because it marks a change in leadership. Running this year’s awards, the fourth in MNFCA history, is my final action as the founder and organizer for the Alliance.
Moving forward, the MNFCA will be helmed by President Hunter Friesen, with support from Vice President Tyler Strandberg and Secretary Joe Botten. Each of them is more than qualified to help the MNFCA continue to prosper, not only because of their film knowledge, but also because they’re good, collaborative individuals.
Find out more about them here.
As for me, I will continue to be a proud member of this group that began as an idea I had for quite a while. Like our new president, who was a critic while attending the University of Northern Iowa, I began writing about film in college, back in 2008.
In the years since, I always kept an eye out for a Minnesota film critics group to join, and yet one didn’t exist. I waited through college, and that continued as I my career in journalism got underway. Finally, 2020 arrived, and there still was no sort of group to join.
So, I decided to start the MNFCA that summer, and the rest is history. Candidly, I didn’t bring experience running any type of association, and am certainly no graphic designer. But I did what I could with the logo, recruiting members, and releasing news about the group.
In the end, I’d like to think it’s worked out, mainly because of all the great people I’ve met. I’ve gotten to know many members in person, over email and even through their fantastic work.
I’m not surprised that this state has so many people able to share such wonderful takes about film. Minnesota is a place full of arts and culture. Movies are a big part of that, and subsequently, there are wonderful voices on the subject of film across the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
It’s why I’m excited about the future of this organization, because the people who’ve made this experience special will continue to share their thoughts on this art form.
– Matthew Liedke
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