welcome to IFM.

Hello! I’m Reyna Rios-Starr. I’m an actor, producer and the founder of Independent Film Minnesota(IFM). I’ve worked as an actor on countless productions including film, commercials, industrials,voiceover, and theater. I’ve been producing filmssince 2021 and I love learning, creating, and making ideas come to life.

Earlier in 2023, I was struggling with outreach to larger media organizations tohelp promote my projects, since I didn't have the backing of a large financier orhave name talent attached. I thought, “What does an independent filmmakerhave to do to get some media coverage around here?” One night, I couldn’t goto sleep. Thoughts were racing so fast I couldn’t find one to latch onto. That was until one thought stuck:

Wouldn’t it be cool if Minnesota filmmakers had a place topromote their work outside of their own social media networks,and had the support of an independent media publication thatknows the work that’s being done around town?

During the days and weeks that followed, I researched and developed this idea.I investigated national platforms and considered what something similar couldlook like on a local level. Local independent film and TV projects are constantlybeing made throughout the year in our state, and they’re worthy of our attentionand promotion.

I knew Independent Film Minnesota (IFM) would be a platform to promote Minnesota’s film and filmmakers.

I also knew I could not do this alone. I put the word out to see if there were any brave takers who would begin this new venture with me. I found them!

I am pleased to introduce the members of the IFM team: Sean Coffman, LillieGardner, Sheana Hanson, and AbdiMohamed. They stepped into this with open minds and a willingness to work. Because of our shared passion for local filmmaking and our desire to see Minnesota’s film & TV industry succeed,we dove right in to craft the founding principles of our organization.

We are truly overjoyed to bring IFM to the community and we can’t wait to build this platform with your input and needs in mind. We hope that you’ll join IFM on its mission to celebrate Minnesota’s film & TV community, and that in this process, we can help you strengthen your own industry connections.