Ahead of the screening of zi, filmmaker Kogonada told the audience, ”I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge everything that is happening in Minnesota. I’m a believer in what Ebert says that cinema is an empathizing machine. In the darkest time, you hope that art doesn’t feel indulgent but that it deepens our sense of humanity. I feel like more than ever it is important to do that to counter what is happening around the world.”

Earlier in the festival, a Congressman became the subject of racially-charged assualt. A man was arrested at the High West Saloon during a CAA party after he snuck into the private event and assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, as well as an unidentified woman. The racially-charged scene began, according to sources, when the man in the restroom allegedly stated how proud he was to be “white” and then exited the restroom and punched a person of color, later revealed to be Frost.

In a statement the festival said, “The safety and security of our festival goers remains our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being.”