True/False Film Fest is less than a month away. Here's what to know before you go

Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune
·5 min read

The most vibrant weekend on the Columbia calendar is approaching.

For more than 20 years, the True/False Film Fest has convened nonfiction filmmakers and film lovers for something like documentary church. Beginning as a scrappy "What if?" the fest continues on in the same handmade spirit — but with international attention and collaboration.

Whether you're a True/False veteran or an on-the-fence first-timer, here's what to know before you go.

When and where is this year's True/False Film Fest?

Parade attendees gather in front of the Boone County Courthouse before the True/False March March on March 3, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
Parade attendees gather in front of the Boone County Courthouse before the True/False March March on March 3, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.

The festival takes place Feb. 29-March 3. Film venues typically include the Missouri Theatre, The Blue Note, Missouri United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church and Ragtag Cinema. Music showcases, art installations, parties and other storytelling events take place in locations around downtown Columbia.

What films will be screened this year?

The full True/False lineup of features and shorts will be released Feb. 7. Prior to that roll-out, the fest announced "Girls State" as this year's Show Me True/False Film, curated specifically to create community conversation.

What are some past True/False Film Fest titles?

True/False films range from the crowd-pleasing and conventional to the more artful and obscure. Prominent past films include "Man on Wire," "Searching for Sugar Man," "20 Feet From Stardom," "American Factory" and "Summer of Soul."

Other films which made the Tribune's list of quintessential festival picks upon last year's 20th anniversary include "The Order of Myths," "The Act of Killing," "Cutie and the Boxer," "Boyhood," "Dusty Stacks of Mom," "The Overnighters" and "Bisbee '17."

Ellar Coltrane is shown at age 6 in a scene from “Boyhood,” film critic Roger Moore’s pick for the best movie of the year. Director Richard Linklater shot the movie over a span of 12 years, filming a few scenes each year, so that the actors and characters aged naturally. AP Photo/IFC Films
Ellar Coltrane is shown at age 6 in a scene from “Boyhood,” film critic Roger Moore’s pick for the best movie of the year. Director Richard Linklater shot the movie over a span of 12 years, filming a few scenes each year, so that the actors and characters aged naturally. AP Photo/IFC Films

Who and what make up the True/False soundtrack?

Local, regional and international buskers and bands greet True/False audiences, playing before each and every screening. And many of these artists convene for dedicated musical showcases throughout the festival.

Artists on this year's docket include: lauded indie-rocker Thao Nguyen; Chicago-based drummer and DJ Daniel Villarreal, a force where Latin and jazz scenes intersect; Kansas duo Sweeping Promises; hip-hop mainstay R.A.P. Ferreira; returning brass band Gora Gora Orkestar; Florida rap duo They Hate Change; and another Chicago musical polymath, BSA Gold.

What's up with all the art I see outside and in downtown buildings?

The fest maintains an excellent installation program, further beautifying its downtown footprint with temporary exhibits. This year's installation lineup is available to preview at https://truefalse.org/program/art/, and will include video art, sculpture, fiber art, interactive experiences and more.

What other events take place throughout the weekend?

True/False mounts a number of fun, interactive events revolving around the goodness of storytelling. Historically, they include the wildly popular Gimme Truth game show, a late-night Campfire Stories hangout, parties, panel discussions and more.

And don't forget the March March parade, the true spiritual kickoff of the fest on True/False Friday evening.

How do passholders reserve films?

Passholders gain access to the True/False reservation system by tier, reserving seats and screenings on their particular day. According to the fest's January newsletter, the reservation schedule looks like this:

  • Feb. 11: Super Circle reservations

  • Feb. 13: Silver Circle

  • Feb. 14: Center and Stay Up Late (the latter is music showcases only)

  • Feb. 16: Spring

  • Feb. 17: Classic

Once passholders take turns, tickets will go public to general audiences at 10 a.m. Feb. 19.

How does the fest's 'Q' system work?

A True/False Q Queen watches the March March parade move down Ninth Street on Friday evening in downtown Columbia.
A True/False Q Queen watches the March March parade move down Ninth Street on Friday evening in downtown Columbia.

Often as passholders reserve their films, a specific screening will go NRT (or "no reserve tickets"). But don't despair, the "Q" allows festgoers to access remaining or forsaken seats. An hour before the screening, festgoers can approach the "Q" line — governed benevolently by the fest's "Q" Queens — and take a number.

Return to line up by number 15 minutes before the show and, depending on your number and the amount of available seats (Number One gets the first seat and so on), you might be admitted. Passholders can use the "Q" for free; non-passholders pay for ticket upon entering.

Does the festival give out awards?

Unlike other film festivals, True/False titles are not in any sort of competition. The festival does bestow its True Vision Award, given yearly to "a director’s (or directing team’s) dedication to the advancement of nonfiction filmmaking," per the fest's description.

The 2024 True Vision awardee is Madagascar-born filmmaker Michaël Andrianaly, who has been creating his own work for a decade.

"Andrianaly’s films magnify individual stories, revealing the wider social context and composition of his home country," True/False said in a news release.

His newest work, "Gwetto," will screen at the fest as well as previous titles and a film he will curate.

Previous winners include: Victoria Linares Villegas, Bill and Turner Ross, Claire Simon, Laura Poitras and Alex Gibney.

While not an actual award, True/False does pay special honor to its True Life Fund film each year; festgoers and community members acknowledge the inherent risk in telling your story on screen by donating to thank and aid the subjects of each year's designated film.

This year's True Life Fund film is director Yousef Srouji's "Three Promises," in which the filmmaker "re-lives the years-long siege that disrupted his childhood" in the West Bank two decades ago through footage taken by his mother, according to the release.

What passes are still available?

True/False offers a variety of passes, ranging from Classic ($135) to Super Circle ($995), each with varying levels of access, as well as a music-only pass ($70). Check https://truefalse.org/attend/passes/ to see what's still out there.

Learn more and keep up with festival developments at https://truefalse.org/.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: True/False Film Fest 2024 is approaching. Here's what to know