April 16-30, 2026
Named one of the coolest film festivals in the world by MovieMaker Magazine, the Milwaukee Film Festival is one of the Midwest’s largest film festivals, and one of Milwaukee’s most-beloved cultural events.
Proud to be known for its world-class hospitality, the Milwaukee Film Festival spotlights bold new voices, acclaimed filmmakers, unique stories, and work made right here in Milwaukee that resonates far beyond the screen.
Join us April 16-30 for our 18th annual festival!
Check out a digital copy of our program book!
If a film is listed online as “On Standby,” there’s still hope! You can join the Standby line at the venue to buy a ticket for an unclaimed seat. Standby tickets are sold on a first-come, first served basis, so get in line early.
Standby tickets are last-minute tickets to screenings where all advance tickets have been sold. If available, Standby tickets are sold within 15 minutes of showtime. All Standby tickets are sold at full price and are not subject to discounts. Six- and 10-packs are not redeemable for Standby tickets.
You’re in the right place! Individual tickets are available online starting April 6 for Members, April 8 for everyone else, and in-person at the Oriental Theatre on April 10. All-access film festival passes are also available if you plan to enjoy many films during the festival and prefer not to stand in as many lines!
We show a wide range of films during the Milwaukee Film Festival—fiction, documentary, features, and shorts—in all genres, for all ages, and from all locations. (With a special spotlight celebrating our own Milwaukee filmmaking community!) There’s truly something for everyone!
Yes! One of the things that makes a film festival special is the extra stuff surrounding the films. Our film lineup includes special festival events, panel discussions, happy hours, and guests in attendance.
Not all films have MPAA ratings. Some movies might contain material unsuitable for children, so please use discretion when selecting films for youths. Age-appropriate films are available with age recommendations in our Rated K: For Kids program.
While we sometimes provide content warnings, we encourage viewers with specific sensitivities to check websites like Does the Dog Die? in advance to see if a film might be difficult for them to view.
This year our balloting for Feature Films will be conducted digitally (saving one tree at a time). Near the end of the screening you will receive an email with a link to cast your vote for the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. You will have until 11:59pm on April 30 (Closing Night) to cast your vote. If you have multiple tickets purchased for this screening and have not yet transferred them to your guests, you will need to collect their impressions and vote on their behalf.
For Shorts Programs, we will conduct voting using good ol’ paper and pencil. Each attendee will receive their own ballot and pencil on their way in to the screening and is encouraged to vote throughout. Those ballots (and pencils) will be collected by volunteers after the show.
The 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by Associated Bank, runs April 16-30 at the Downer and Oriental Theatres on Milwaukee’s East Side.
Submissions for this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival are currently closed. We’ll reopen our call for entries later this year when we begin collecting entries for our 2027 film festival!
Associated Bank is the official bank of Milwaukee Film. Learn more here
In addition to our Presenting Sponsor Associated Bank, we’d also like to recognize our wonderful sponsors who have generously contributed financially and through in-kind services to support our mission.
PREMIERE $50,000+
Eventive • Michael Best • Northern Ground • Zizzo Group
LEADING $25,000+
Badger Liquor • New Land Enterprises • North American Camera • Nova • Elevent • Shanghai
DIRECTING $20,000+
The Plaza Hotel
SUPPPORTING $15,000+
The Electric Sun Corporation • Reinhart • Columbia College Chicago School of Film and Television
PROVIDING $10,000+
Independent • Planned Parenthood • Ski Team • Visit Milwaukee • Sea Dog Creative
SUSTAINING $5,000+
Ellenbecker Investment Group • KPMG • Lowlands Group • Rotary Club of Milwaukee • von Briesen & Roper, s.c. • Ward4 • Weyco Group • Wisconsin Cheese
CONTRIBUTING $2,500+
Amorphic Beer • David Barnett Gallery • Float Milwaukee • Jim Phillips LLC • Looner Cannabis Co.
MEDIA PARTNERS
540 WAUK • CBS 58 • HYFIN • Jammin’ 98.3 • Milwaukee Courier • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • Milwaukee Magazine • Milwaukee Record • MKE Lifestyle Magazine • MKE with Kids • OnMilwaukee • Radio Milwaukee • Riverwest Currents • Shepherd Express • Telemundo Wisconsin • TMJ4 • Urban Milwaukee • V100.7 • Wisconsin Public Radio • WISN Channel 12 • WMSE • WNOV • WUWM 89.7 FM • Yelp
