May 9 & 10, 2026
The Unspooled Film & Animation Festival is a juried annual event in Menomonie, Wisconsin featuring work made by regional and international independent storytellers. Unique films and animations are screened at the historic Harvey Hall Theatre on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
It's a vibrant gathering where film lovers, students, and seasoned professionals connect, share, and get inspired. Through our incredible lineup of film screenings, hands-on workshops, and engaging guest speakers, we're building a supportive space for every storyteller to thrive.
Emerging and seasoned storytellers are invited to be a part of the festival by submitting their films in a variety of categories. The two-day festival showcases selected projects and creates opportunities for filmmakers, students, and community members to network and share their passion for film and animation.
2026 Theme: Celebrating Design in Cinema
This year, the Unspooled Film & Animation Festival is proud to be a signature event of the School of Art & Design's 60th Anniversary Celebration! Our theme, "60 Years of Design in Motion," honors the deep legacy of creativity and innovation that has defined our institution. For six decades, UW-Stout has been a place where art and technology converge, and this festival celebrates that unique "hands-on, minds-on" spirit.
The Campfire Motif
Before we learned to build theaters, we gathered around the flame. It was there, against the deep black of night and beneath the impartial gaze of the stars, that the first stories were unspooled—told through the crackle of fire and the jagged dance of shadows. At this year's festival, we honor that primal instinct by examining the exquisite evolution of design in narrative. From those raw, flickering cave paintings to the precise, world-building craftsmanship of modern cinema and animation, the fire hasn't gone out; it’s just become infinitely brighter. We invite you to step out of the dark and sit with us as we celebrate the designs that keep us huddling close, waiting to hear what happens next.
