Who We Are & What We Do

Our mission is to create world-class cinematic experiences that convene our diverse communities and catalyze positive change in Milwaukee and beyond. Our Vision is to become America's most dynamic, well-rounded film culture insititution. 

 

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences. We operate two historic cinemas: the Oriental Theatre (a magnificent 1927 cinema palace) and the iconic Downer Theatre (a 1915 neighborhood cinema) where we are committed to high-quality and accessible film programming. Since 2009, the annual Milwaukee Film Festival has brought together film fans and filmmakers to celebrate the power of cinema.

HISTORY

MKE Film was founded in 2008 by Chris Abele and Bill and Carmen Haberman (the latter two of the Herzfeld Foundation) with the goal of putting on a world-class film festival to rival the world’s largest. But the team also had a vision of strengthening the film industry in their humble Milwaukee, a city not known for its film culture but one that had long had a vibrant yet little-known film scene, including a small-but-mighty filmmaking industry, the now-defunct Milwaukee International Film Festival, UW-Milwaukee’s renowned film department, and slews of film buffs, fans, heads, and maniacs.

In 2009, the Milwaukee Film Festival had its inaugural run. That year, MKE Film screened more than 100 films at three venues. Since then the Festival has expanded to a fifteen day celebration of new cinema and the organization has taken over operation of two historic cinemas to show more great movies to all of Milwaukee every single day.

In short, we’re a ragtag team of film lovers, scholars, and professionals who believe film and the filmgoing experience are powerful vehicles for social change and personal introspection. We seek to make our city, its communities, and the world better places by sharing cinematic experiences, instigating meaningful dialogues, and cultivating the local filmmaking economy.

Milwaukee Film Festival

In addition to our year-round programming, we put on a little show called the Milwaukee Film Festival each year. As one of the nation's most well-attended film festivals and one of Milwaukee's most-beloved cultural events, there's something here for everyone.

Contact

If you have general questions or curiosities about Milwaukee Film, feel free to send them over to Kristopher at help@mkefilm.org If you have a press or marketing/communications inquiry, email press@mkefilm.org