Our festival mission is to create a community of area cinema enthusiasts and filmmakers of all experience levels for networking, support, and inspiration. Vortex showcases movies produced by regional Midwest filmmakers and filmed in South Dakota and neighboring states.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, film-lover, or just looking for something different in Vermillion, this festival is for you. Mingle with creative talent and experience film the way it was meant to be seen—on the big screen, surrounded by community.
The 2026 Vortex Film Festival was a great success! We welcomed guests from 9 states and screened 42 films. Thank you to all our filmmakers, attendees, and sponsors.
Special thanks to the following folks and organizations:
Dr. Beth Boyd
Dr. Gary Cheeseman
Dyana DeCoteau-Dyess
Adam Dyess
Carson Knecht & the Dakota Boys
Brody Stone
Emily Vortherms
Ben West & Yancey Burns
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company
Vermillion Eagles Club & Women’s Auxiliary
Follow @vortexfilmfest on Facebook and Instagram for updates, film lineup announcements, and sneak peeks. Visit the Vortex Film Festival age on vermculture.org for more on you can support the only film festival in East River!
Vermillion is nestled in the southeast corner of South Dakota, not far from the Missouri River. It’s the homeland of the Lakota Wasé Wakpa community, seat of Clay County, and location of the National Music Museum and flagship institution University of South Dakota. We are just 1 hour south of Sioux Falls, 40 mins from Sioux City, and an easy 2 hours from Omaha.
Vermillion’s bustling downtown features several local eateries, a lot of USD Coyote Spirit, and the Coyote Twin Theater, of course. Download the LiveVermillion mobile app to start planning your trip!
10 E. Main Street
A dedicated cinema for almost a century, the Coyote Twin is an entirely nonprofit theater that screens current feature films and hosts special screenings and private rentals.
Our two auditoriums seat a combined total of 228 persons and feature industry standard digital projection and newly updated Dolby speakers. In 2023 we refreshed our lobby and concessions area for improved customer service, and as of 2025, our auditoriums both feature state-of-the-art laser projection.
Click here for theater accessibility details.
