True/False Film Festival returns downtown Columbia Thursday following a modified 2021 festival

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The 2022 True/False Film Festival is set to kick off Thursday afternoon in downtown Columbia. The festival is back to a full-scale following a modified 2021 festival due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Festival events are set to start at 4:30 p.m. and run through the early morning hours on Monday with over 35 films set to screen throughout the event. Various art exhibits and other events are also set to take place downtown.

While the festival is back in full force, several health policies will still be in place, including either a negative test or proof of vaccination to attend and mask requirements in theaters.

ABC 17 News spoke with businesses on Monday, who said they were excited for the festival to be back downtown after it was held outdoors at Stephens Lake Park last year due to COVID-19.

Barbie Banks, co-custodian of Ragtag Film Society which puts on True/False, said the film and art festival fills an entertainment and tourism gap in Columbia between big University of Missouri events.

"Because we're in the winter, there is kind of a lull between football and us and then graduation," said Banks. "We're, I feel like, an important part of the economy here in Columbia, as well as making a cultural impact."

True/False released a map, pictured below, on its website to help festival-goers locate different film venues, event locations and restaurants.

During a normal year, the festival can expect to bring in around 15,000 people to attend. according to organizers. The Columbia Convention and Visitor's Bureau said 2018's True/False Festival had an economic impact of $2.2 million.

Organizers said they only expected around 2,000 to 3,000 people to attend last year's festival.