Construction on the building began in the fall of 1925 and the theatre opened on March 15, 1926.

It was restored in 1999 to its historic appearance and now is a center for the arts in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The festival has accepted submissions from independent filmmakers from more than 35 American states and 20 countries.

[2] Festival honorees include Hugo Weaving, Pedro Pascal, George A. Romero, John Waters, Janet Leigh, Nia DaCosta, Cary Elwes, John Hawkes, among others.