Panels and Events – MFF2026
The fun doesn’t end when the credits roll, join us throughout the festival for panels, mixers, parties and more.
Festival Lounge sponsored by The Yabuki Family Foundation
Panels sponsored by Eventive
The Films
MFF26 Opening Night Neighborhood Crawl
Party
Mixer
After the Opening Night screening of UECK on April 16, stick around to celebrate the start of the Festival at…
After the Opening Night screening of UECK on April 16, stick around to celebrate the start of the Festival at various East Side locations.The following locations will offer discounts to passholders and opening night ticketholders starting at 9:00 PM:Vier North (1832 E North Ave)Von Trier (2235 N Farwell Ave)Landmark Lanes (2220 N Farwell Ave)Wayfinder MKE (2108 N Farwell Ave)Nadi Plates Food Truck (parked where Farwell meets Ivanhoe Plaza, just follow your nose!)Not able to make the film? Meet up with your friends afterwards, as venues will be open to the public as well.
Happy Hour
Mixer
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLICJoin us and our co-hosts at our Festival Lounge at Vier North sponsored by The…
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLICJoin us and our co-hosts at our Festival Lounge at Vier North sponsored by The Yabuki Family Foundation to celebrate the festival and mix and mingle with filmmakers and other guests.Thanks to our co-hosts for supporting the following events:FRIDAY APRIL 17 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Kartemquin Films and American DocumentarySATURDAY APRIL 18 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by EventiveMONDAY, APRIL 20 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by AwenTUESDAY APRIL 21 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Imagine MKE, Action! Wisconsin, and Film WisconsinFRIDAY APRIL 24 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Untitled FilmmakerSATURDAY APRIL 25 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMHosted by Motion MakersMONDAY APRIL 27 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by North American CinemaTUESDAY APRIL 28 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Washington Park Media Center, Place Base Media, and Medical College of Wisconsin
Midwest Documentary Summit
Panel
Guests in Attendance
In partnership with American Documentary and Kartemquin Films, this summit, which is free to attend and suitable for documentary and…
In partnership with American Documentary and Kartemquin Films, this summit, which is free to attend and suitable for documentary and fiction filmmakers of all levels, will include discussions of filmmaking ethics, festival and distribution strategies, and the contemporary landscape of nonfiction media.SESSION ONE | Artist Development: Minding the StepsNOON-1:30PMArtist development opportunities and social impact can feel nebulous and out of reach. How are artist development programs vital to the development of documentary filmmakers? What can film teams do to stay mindful when navigating success & collaboration when things feel challenging? This session will serve as both an "Ask Me Anything" and structured conversation from MFF filmmakers to share thoughts and insights on the role of the artist & documentary film in these times, and how to maintain creative & personal integrity in the pursuit of social change from project development to festival premiere.MODERATORhaydée souffrant, Director of Programs | Kartemquin FilmsROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTSColette Ghunim, director | TRACES OF HOMEAllison Walsh, director & Lily Qi, producer | ALL OF THE ABOVEVianca Fuster, director | WHERE IT STARTED---SESSION TWO | Meeting This Moment: Public Media and Documentary Film2:00PM-3:30PMFormalized by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, public media was created to provide an alternative to commercial broadcasting, focusing on education, high-quality content, and public service, especially for underserved audiences. Like public media, independent documentary has long played an important role in democratic community life. This interactive discussion will explore how public media and documentary filmmaking are meeting this moment and the various ways that the institutional infrastructure and individual creators are adapting and evolving.MODERATORDavid Lee, President and General Manager | WUWMROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTSStacy Robinson, Artistic Director | Kartemquin FilmsColin Crowley, director | WELCOME POETSLaura Dyan Kezman, director & William Howell, co-director | CYCLE (MFF25 alum and Cream City Cinema Jury Award winner)---Happy Hour to follow at 4pm at the Festival Lounge.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Panel: Appropriated Media
Panel
Guests in Attendance
A discussion about the use of appropriated media in film, ranging from legal and logistical considerations to techniques and technologies.…
A discussion about the use of appropriated media in film, ranging from legal and logistical considerations to techniques and technologies. See PUBLIC ACCESS on Friday night (or right after this session) and come ready to dig in further on tactics.PARTICIPANTSDavid Shadrack Smith, director (PUBLIC ACCESS)Jesse McLean, local filmmaker (PLACEHOLDER, screening in MFF2026's THE MILWAUKEE SHOW II) and UWM educatorSarah Ballard, local filmmaker (MFF25's FULL OUT) and UWM educatorAll panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Panel: Why Festivals Matter
Panel
Guests in Attendance
Join Eventive’s co-founder and CEO, Iddo Patt, for a discussion about the role of film festivals in the independent media…
Join Eventive’s co-founder and CEO, Iddo Patt, for a discussion about the role of film festivals in the independent media ecosystem.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Panel: Reclaiming Attention: How We Can Thrive in the Digital Age
Panel
Guests in Attendance
This timely fireside conversation brings together MFF26 documentary YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE key creators and local experts for a discussion on…
This timely fireside conversation brings together MFF26 documentary YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE key creators and local experts for a discussion on how social media and attention-driven technologies are shaping youth, families, and learning environments. As communities across the country begin to confront the real-world impact of these systems, the panel will highlight both lived experiences and emerging solutions, from advocacy efforts to shifts happening within schools. Moving beyond awareness, the conversation offers audiences a grounded and hopeful look at how we can collectively build a healthier, more human-centered digital future.PARTICIPANTSSara Robin, directorJack LeMay, producerKristin Bride, documentary participantMODERATORAudrey Nowakowski, WUWM 89.7 - Milwaukee's NPRSee the film the day before this panel or catch the encore on April 23.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Panel: On Music Journalism and Documentary Storytelling
Panel
Guests in Attendance
Join this collection of music journalists, musicians, and documentarians for a discussion about their work.MODERATORSid McCain, WMSEPANELISTSDan Didier, producer (MFF2017's…
Join this collection of music journalists, musicians, and documentarians for a discussion about their work.MODERATORSid McCain, WMSEPANELISTSDan Didier, producer (MFF2017's DON'T BREAK DOWN: A FILM ABOUT JAWBREAKER); founder/drummer, Maritime and The Promise RingJoe Gross, director (WE ARE FUGAZI FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.); author (33+1/3: FUGAZI - IN ON THE KILL TAKER)Sahan Jayasuriya, author (DON'T SAY PLEASE: THE ORAL HISTORY OF DIE KRUEZEN)All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
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