HAPPY HOURS, MIXERS, NETWORKING, OH MY!

While the Hacienda filmmaker lounge is open most days of the festival during the hours listed above, here are a few “official” filmmaker-centric events that will take place at the lounge!

Saturday, April 13, 2024 - FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen (2018 E North Ave)

​RSVP

Friday, April 19, 2024 - FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen (2018 E North Ave)

RSVP

Sunday, April 21, 2024 -  MKE FILM X MOTION MAKERS MIXER - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen (2018 E North Ave)

RSVP

PARTNER EVENTS

Lady Like After Party w/ Lady Camden & Lola Rome Brooklyn

Thursday April 18

9:30 

This is It (418 E Wells St)

April 18th, 2024 This is it! proudly welcomes drag superstar, Lady Camden.

Lady Camden will be screening Lady Like at the Milwakuee Film Festival before joining host Lola Rome Brooklyn for an offical party & drag show!

RSVP

*MFF passes will not guarantee entry to either - performance will require a ticket and is first-come first-served for seating.

Deadline x Nō Studios Doc Talk Live Audience Podcast

Sunday April 21

4:00 - 6:30

NŌ STUDIOS (1037 West McKinley Ave)

John Ridley and Matthew Carey interview four documentary filmmakers for Doc Talk.

5:00 - 5:20 - Sav Rodgers: Chasing Chasing Amy

5:25 - Mary Louise Schumacher: Out of the Picture

5:50 - Debra McClutchy: Archival Producing

RSVP

*MFF passes will not guarantee entry to either - performance will require a ticket and podcast is first-come first-served for seating.

JJ' 88 LIve!

Sunday April 21

7:00 - 8:00

NŌ STUDIOS (1037 West McKinley Ave)

JJ’88 is a recording artist, writer and filmmaker from North Long Beach, California. His music and story are the focal point of the SXSW Audience Award-winning visual album-documentary SONGS FROM THE HOLE, which he wrote and co- produced from prison

JJ'88 will perform at Nō Studios following the screening of SONGS FROM THE HOLE at the Milwaukee Film Festival and an interview with him and one of the films producers and music producers, richie reseda.

RSVP

*MFF passes will not guarantee entry to either - performance will require a ticket and podcast is first-come first-served for seating.

PANELS

PANELS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH ACTION! WISCONSIN?!?

Saturday, April 13, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

East Library (2320 N Cramer)

Heard buzz about Action! Wisconsin and possibilities for a film office and/or production incentives in our state? Come learn more!

Panelist include:
Katie Heil - MKE FILM/Imagine MKE
Jeffrey Kurz - Producer/Educator
Suzanne Jurva - Producer/Filmmaker
Forbes McIntosh - Lobbyist, Action! Wisconsin
Ramon Sloan - Filmmaker
Melodie Bahan - Executive Director, Minnesota Film & TV
JoAnn Jardine - Film Liason, Northern Wisconsin

RSVP

CURRENT ISSUES IN DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING

Sunday, April 14, 2024

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Pomona Cider Co. (2163 N Farwell)

Hear from a panel of documentary insiders about topics such as impact producing, ethics, and the state of distribution for documentary films.

Panelist include:
Laura Tatham  - Producer, ALL WE CARRY
Jules Rosskam - Director, DESIRE LINES
Ruth Leitman - Director, NO ONE ASKED YOU
Haydée Souffrant - Manager of Filmmaker Programs, Kartemquin Films

RSVP

FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGIES

Sunday, April 14, 2024

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pomona Cider Co. (2163 N Farwell)

A perennially important topic, hear from filmmakers about their festival strategy, what they’ve learned, and be inspired for your own work.

Panelist include:
Susan Kerns  - Co-Producer, NO ONE ASKED YOU
Kareem Tabsch - Director, NAKED AMBITION
Santana Coleman - Director, THE LAST WEEK
Marquise Mays - Black Lens Programmer, MKE Film, Assistant Professor, UWM

RSVP

PRODUCING TODAY

Saturday, April 20, 2024

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

East Library (2320 N Cramer)

Demystify the work of film producing in 2024 with Dear Producer’s Rebecca Green in conversation with local and visiting producers.

Panelist include:
Rebecca Green - Producer, DearProducer.com
Andria Wilson Mirza  - Producer, THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
Jeffery Kurz - Producer
Eric Kleppe-Montenegro - Director/Writer

RSVP

LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY IN STORYTELLING

Sunday, April 21, 2024

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pomona Cider Co. (2163 N Farwell)

A panel of filmmakers discusses how they use their work to advocate for their communities.

Panelist include:
Fawzia Mirza - Director/Writer, THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
Andria Wilson Mirza - Producer, THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
Sav Rodger - Director, CHASING CHASING AMY
Luke Willis - Director, LADY LIKE
Jack Feria - GenreQueer + Shorts Programmer, MKE Film

RSVP

AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT ARTIST SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Sunday, April 21, 2024

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Pomona Cider Co. (2163 N Farwell)

Hear from a panel of folks who represent a variety of national programs which support filmmakers. From grants to fiscal sponsorship to labs and accelerators to sales agencies and strategists, there’s a wide range of kinds of programs that all filmmakers should be aware of.

Panelist include:
Caitlin Mae Burke - IF/Then Co-Director, Field of Vision
Gray Rodriguez - Director of Communications, Film Festival Alliance
Kathy Susca - Director of Content & Operations, The Film Collaborative
Andrew Peterson - Executive Director, FilmNorth
Kayla Myers - Programmer & Black Creators Forum Manager, Indie Memphis

RSVP