Milwaukee Film is thrilled to return to an in-person experience for the 14th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by Associated Bank, the official Bank of Milwaukee Film, and announce its full lineup of 284 films playing between April 21 - May 5, 2022.
Artistic Director Cara Ogburn remarks “This festival’s lineup is a return to what Milwaukee has come to expect from the Milwaukee Film Festival – there’s truly something for everyone that otherwise wouldn’t be available on-screen, including fest faves from Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, and SXSW. And, this year, that means both giant cinema screens and your own home screens.”
Of the feature film lineup, 63 films are documentaries alongside 70 fiction films and 1 Super Secret Members Only screening; while the 150 short films make up 18 short film programs. The entire lineup features films from 43 countries, and 48% of the lineup has been made by women and non-binary directors. Additionally, as part of this year’s previously announced hybrid film-festival, 77% of the 284 films will be available on virtually - including 69 feature films and all 150 short films.
Highlights of this year’s in-cinema festival include Spotlight Presentations in-cinema Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night film experiences:
- Opening Night - THE PEZ OUTLAW (dir. Amy Bandlien Storkel, Bryan Storkel), the SXSW lauded documentary that proves that truth is often stranger than fiction - following the true story of Steve Glew, a friendly Midwesterner with a secret life as an international smuggler of… Pez dispensers. The Storkels are longtime MFF friends and alumni having attended with their short films, “The Bad Boy of Bowling” (MFF2015) and “The Dean Scream” (MFF2016).
- Thursday, May April 21 | 6:30 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema. Requires a special Opening Night Film Ticket or All-Access Festival Pass.
- Centerpiece - NAVALNY (dir. Daniel Roher) - the highly relevant and must-see thriller documentary that centers around Russian lawyer and activist Alexei Navalny, revealing a courageous and controversial would-be president who will sacrifice everything to reform Russia.
- Friday, Apr 29 | 6:00 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema
- Closing Night - PETIT MAMAN (dir. Céline Sciamma) - Sciamma’s much anticipated follow-up to PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE; a critical darling, Mark Kermode at Observer UK says the film “goes straight into my list of the greatest films ever made for children of all ages.”
- Thursday, May 5 | 8:00 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema
The full program line-up is available digitally and in print on Monday, April 11 at multiple locations city wide - including Good City Brewing’s Wauwatosa and Farwell locations where Programming staff will be on-site on April 11 during Happy Hour from 5-7pm for film conversation and $1 off beers!
The Milwaukee Film Festival is grateful to be one of the first to return to in-cinema screenings. experiences. As was the case for many independent theaters and film festivals, Milwaukee Film was forced to move entirely virtual in 2020 and 2021 and worked with Associated to ensure local talent continued to be supported.
“Our relationship with Associated Bank allowed us to persevere through these challenging pandemic years,” said Milwaukee Film CEO Jonathan Jackson. “They’ve been a steadfast supporter for our cause of sharing meaningful stories within our community, and we couldn’t be happier to be celebrating together in person once more in 2022.”
Associated Bank continues to engage their staff and clients in the work of local and regional filmmakers through dedicated film screenings and talkbacks in efforts to foster a shared cinematic experience, enable industry sustainability and advance conversations in the cinema and classroom and diverse communities.
“At Associated Bank, we recognize that through the power of the arts, we will continue to make a positive difference in our diverse communities,” said Marilka Vélez, Associated Bank Senior Vice President & Senior Director of Marketing. “Associated is proud to be the Bank of Milwaukee Film and will gift a donation back to the organization each time a customer uses their Associated Bank Milwaukee Film Debit Card.”
The 14th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by Associated Bank, will be held from April 21 - May 5, 2022. Both in-person and virtual options (or both) are available: all-access passes (available only to MKE Film Members, which include virtual access) are available now for $450, with a virtual-only pass available for $125 for Members, $200 for the public. 6-Pack ticket packages (for in-person screenings) are also currently available for $60 for Members and $78 for the public. Single tickets go on sale April 11 for Members, April 13 for the public.
Posted by: Tom Fuchs