Sound Unseen music and film festival returns to Minneapolis, Rochester this fall

The Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival promises a "truly monumental" event when it returns for its 25th anniversary this year.

The festival that merges music and film will take place Nov. 13–17 at eight venues around Minneapolis , with its usual mix of film screenings , filmmaker discussions, concerts, and parties. While the dates are lined up, the details will remain under wraps until October.

Sound Unseen began in 1999 as an idiosyncratic series of screenings of films on music. It's expanded to become a massive, highly anticipated annual event that includes more than music docs, short films, and music videos. Recent iterations have featured films about other arts, music-themed narrative films, rare concert footage, and silent films with live music accompaniment.

"The growth of this festival has been a remarkable journey. As we established our reputation as an artist and filmmaker-friendly festival, we became an integral stop on the festival circuit for all music/artist-related films,” Sound Unseen Festival Director Jim Brunzell said in a statement.

"As we approach this landmark anniversary for the festival and organization, our reputation as a vital cultural organization dedicated to the role of film, art, and music with diverse viewpoints, bold statements, and entertaining artistry stands firm. I could not be prouder of all the hard work every person, volunteer, sponsor, business, and filmmaker has put into Sound Unseen since 1999, making it a truly one-of-a-kind festival, not only in Minnesota but throughout North America as well."

The festival will take place across the city, with events lined up at the Parkway, Trylon, The Main Cinema, Bryant Lake Bowl, Moxy Minneapolis Uptown Hotel, Uptown VFW, Pryes Brewing, and Cloudland Theater.

After Sound Unseen wraps up in Minneapolis, it'll head to Rochester for the second straight year, with the events taking place from Dec. 5–8. After that, Sound Unseen moves on to Austin, Texas from Dec. 12–15.