True/False Film Fest Opens with Vibrant Jubilee Celebration

Annual documentary film festival kicks off with extravagant costumes, food, and music in Columbia, Missouri.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The 2026 True/False Film Fest opened on Thursday night with The Jubilee, a lively party filled with extravagant costumes, flavorful bites, and bluegrass music. Attendees, many wearing masks, spent time reconnecting with old friends and making new ones as the festival kicked off a weekend of documentaries, performances, and events across Columbia, Missouri.

Why it matters

The Jubilee marks the start of True/False, an annual documentary film festival that has become a beloved tradition in Columbia over the past 23 years. The opening party serves as a reminder that the festival is about more than just movies - it's a community gathering that brings people together year after year.

The details

The Jubilee featured a variety of entertainment, including extravagant costumes, delicious food, and live bluegrass music. Attendees, many wearing masks, spent time mingling and reconnecting with friends new and old as the festival kicked off.

  • The 2026 True/False Film Fest opened on Thursday, March 5.
  • The Jubilee party marked the start of a weekend filled with documentaries, performances, and events across Columbia.

The players

Vicky Wilson

The mother of True/False co-founder David Wilson, who has been attending the festival since the first one in 2004.

Nikki Reese

A queen who works as an events and business coordinator for The District in Columbia.

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What they’re saying

“I have been coming since the first festival. In fact, the T-shirt I'm wearing is the first festival T-shirt from 2004. It seemed appropriate because this year's theme is 'you are here.' And after 23 years, I am still here.”

— Vicky Wilson (themaneater.com)

The takeaway

The Jubilee celebration marks the start of the True/False Film Fest, a beloved annual tradition in Columbia that brings the community together through documentaries, performances, and shared experiences over the course of a vibrant festival weekend.