Indie film center opens in St. Paul

IFP's new Marsden/Gustafson Gallery
Pictures were being hung the new IFP building's Marsden/Gustafson Gallery on August 18, 2015, named in honor of the late photographers Ann Marsden and Gerald "Gus" Gustafson who were known as leaders and mentors in the local photo community.
Euan Kerr | MPR News

A new media center designed to help the work of filmmakers, photographers and other artists is opening this weekend in St. Paul. The center features classrooms, screening theaters and a new gallery.

"We have four rooms with state-of-the-art projection, digital projection and surround sound," said Andrew Peterson, executive director of the Independent Filmmaker Project Minnesota. The center also has large common areas and he says it will be open for use by community groups in need of space for events. He also hopes the facility will attract film festivals that currently don't screen films in St. Paul.

IFP Minnesota Executive Director Andrew Peterson
IFP Minnesota Executive Director Andrew Peterson says the new IFP building will allow the organization more flexibility in its mission to support independent filmmakers and other media artists.
Euan Kerr | MPR News

Located in a renovated warehouse near Interstate Hwy. 94 and Vandalia, the facility is designed as a hub for artists using digital media. Peterson said that in addition to classrooms and editing suites, the new building offers many places to show film and video.

The space is designed to be open and flexible, Peterson said, and includes a courtyard area for use in warmer weather.

"This is going to be a fun space," he said. "We can do outdoor screenings out there. We have a 25-foot rear-projection screen."

The weekend's celebrations will begin Friday evening with a reception in the new Marsden/Gustafson Gallery, named for well-known photographers Ann Marsden and Gus Gustafson, who mentored many young artists during their careers. A gala opening Saturday night will be followed by an open house for the public on Sunday afternoon.

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