During the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival, our Reel Impact Silent Auction included four opportunities to be a programmer for a day. Our first winner programmed Chinatown and The Decline of Western Civilization. Next up? Marie Gribbin, who chose the films The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and As Above So Below. Read the interview below to get to know Marie and why she selected these two films!

What’s your name?
Marie 

Something fun about yourself?
I have spilled popcorn in every Milwaukee film theater. I have about a 100% success rate at spilling popcorn at the movies I attend. 

What’s your relationship with Milwaukee Film?
I am a Milwaukee film member!

What movies did you pick?
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and As Above So Below 

When did you first see said movies?
2013-2014, very important time in new movies FOR ME. 

Who are your favorite actors in your selected movies and why?
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson give a performance in Catching Fire (and the rest of the movies) that have made them (Katniss and Peeta) my (and many others’) close personal friends. Even as an adult I still want to know what is going on with them in their world. 

In ten words or less, tell us why we HAVE to see these movies!
Let’s eat popcorn together and laugh at Gale. 

Any words of wisdom you’d like to impart?
The last piece of wisdom I have is that if your popcorn bag is full, the only safe place for it is in a seat with it pressed up to the back. When it is full, it can tip on its own while on the floor. Once you get about 25% of the popcorn out (via spillage or eating), then it is structurally sound and safe from unprompted tipping. (But still at risk for being kicked over). 

Join Programmer for a Day Marie and friends at the Oriental Theatre on Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 PM to see Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Then, stick around to see As Above, So Below at 9:45 PM. Tickets to both films are on sale now!