undertone
Horror
DCP
The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.
What’s Playing?
Project Hail Mary
DCP
Sci-Fi
Drama
Based on THE MARTIAN author Andy Weir’s novel of the same name,PROJECT HAIL MARY is an exhilarating space adventure set…
Based on THE MARTIAN author Andy Weir’s novel of the same name,PROJECT HAIL MARY is an exhilarating space adventure set in the near future. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a school-teacher-turned-astronaut, wakes up from a coma, alone, on a space station with no memory of who he is or his mission. His memory returns in bursts and he pieces together that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to reverse the impact of a space event that had already hurled our planet into the early stages of an Ice Age. As details of the mission unravel, Grace must call on all of his scientific training and sheer ingenuity, but he might not have to do it alone…
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
DCP
Documentary
2026 Oscar® Winner for Best Documentary Feature — Pasha Talankin is an unlikely hero—a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as…
2026 Oscar® Winner for Best Documentary Feature — Pasha Talankin is an unlikely hero—a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. After Russia invades Ukraine, Pasha’s role in the school changes dramatically as he is reluctantly drawn into Putin’s propaganda machine. Forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and horrified by the transformation of his school and community, he struggles with guilt and a sense of powerlessness, leading him to become an international whistleblower. As the school’s videographer, Pasha documents intimate and revealing footage of Putin’s regime, capturing the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, fervent nationalism, and the recruitment of graduating students to fight in the war. When he learns his own life may be at risk, Pasha is forced to plan a dangerous escape from Russia.Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.
Forbidden Fruits
DCP
Horror
Free Eden employee Apple secretly runs a witchy femme cult in the basement of the mall store after hours –…
Free Eden employee Apple secretly runs a witchy femme cult in the basement of the mall store after hours – with fellow fruits Cherry and Fig. But, when new hire Pumpkin challenges their performative sisterhood, the women are forced to face their own poisons or succumb to a bloody fate.
Alpha
DCP
Horror
Alpha, a troubled 13-year-old lives with her single mom. Their world collapses the day she returns from school with a…
Alpha, a troubled 13-year-old lives with her single mom. Their world collapses the day she returns from school with a tattoo on her arm.
The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist
DCP
Documentary
Director and father-to-be, Daniel Roher (MFF22 alum and audience award winner, NAVALNY, which later went on to be Academy Award-winning),…
Director and father-to-be, Daniel Roher (MFF22 alum and audience award winner, NAVALNY, which later went on to be Academy Award-winning), tries to figure out what is happening with all this AI insanity, and explores the most powerful technology humanity has ever created... and what's at stake if we get it wrong.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
DCP
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's…
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.
The Last Temptation of Christ
DCP
Drama
Jesus, a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action…
Jesus, a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action against the Roman occupiers by Judas -- despite his protestations that love, not violence, is the path to salvation. The burden of being the savior of mankind torments Jesus throughout his life, leading him to doubt.
Jesus Christ Superstar
DCP
Musical
As played out by a theatre troupe, the last days of Jesus Christ are depicted from the perspective of Judas…
As played out by a theatre troupe, the last days of Jesus Christ are depicted from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene.Community Partner: Skylight Music Theatre
Fantasy Life
DCP
Drama
After losing his job as a paralegal, Sam Stein suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his…
After losing his job as a paralegal, Sam Stein suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters. The girls' mother, Dianne, is an actor whose once-promising career has stalled; she's in a difficult marriage to David, a rock bassist. When David goes abroad on tour, Dianne and Sam discover an easy rapport as well as a shared history of mental illness. Sam joins Dianne's family to babysit for the summer on Martha's Vineyard, and he ends up in a house with the woman he pines for, her husband, the three kids, and all four grandparents, including his psychiatrist.
The Drama
DCP
Romance
A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
The Prince of Egypt
DCP
Animation
Family
Musical
The strong bond between two Royal Egyptian brothers is challenged when their chosen responsibilities set them at odds, with extraordinary…
The strong bond between two Royal Egyptian brothers is challenged when their chosen responsibilities set them at odds, with extraordinary consequences.
The Ten Commandments
DCP
Classic
Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true…
Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.
WMSE Presents Friday Night Freak Show: THE BLUES BROTHERS
DCP
Comedy
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and…
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
Faces of Death
DCP
Horror
A moderator on an internet video-sharing platform stumbles across a potential snuff film ring hidden in the depths of the…
A moderator on an internet video-sharing platform stumbles across a potential snuff film ring hidden in the depths of the site's content. Are these gruesome videos merely a morbid work of shock-value fiction, or something all too horribly real?
Miroirs No. 3
Drama
International
DCP
On a weekend trip to the countryside, Laura miraculously survives a car crash. Physically unhurt but deeply shaken, she is…
On a weekend trip to the countryside, Laura miraculously survives a car crash. Physically unhurt but deeply shaken, she is taken in by a local woman who witnessed the accident and now cares for Laura with motherly devotion. When her husband and adult son also give up their initial resistance to Laura's presence, the four of them slowly build up some family-like routine. But soon they can no longer ignore their past...
Days and Nights in the Forest
DCP
Comedy
Drama
Adapted from Sunil Gangopadhyay’s celebrated 1968 novel, Days and Nights in the Forest is one of director Satyajit Ray’s greatest achievements, a…
Adapted from Sunil Gangopadhyay’s celebrated 1968 novel, Days and Nights in the Forest is one of director Satyajit Ray’s greatest achievements, a modern search for connection that conjures the timeless resonance of a folktale. Desperate to flee Calcutta’s rat race, four friends—Ashim (Soumitra Chatterjee), Sanjoy (Subhendu Chatterjee), Hari (Samit Bhanja), and Shekhar (Rabi Ghosh)—drive to Palamu, one of India’s rural “tribal lands,” where they bribe a watchman into letting them stay at a sylvan guesthouse. Despite vowing to get away from it all, the crew soon mixes with the locals, including a woodland family: the soulful yet mischievous Aparna (Sharmila Tagore) takes to the overconfident Ashim, while her widowed sister-in-law Jaya (Kaberi Bose) grows closer to the bookish Sanjoy. At the same time, Hari, fresh off a break-up, woos a Santal girl named Duli (Simi Garewal); and Shekhar, despite his own penchant for gambling, tries to rein in his companions’ boozy hedonism. Filled with some of Ray’s most indelible characterizations and lavish images (shot by longtime cinematographer Soumendu Roy), Days and Nights in the Forest touches on masculine vulnerabilities and Indian class divisions with the graceful complexity of a master at his peak.Restored in 4K in 2025 by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project and Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Janus Films – The Criterion Collection at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, from the original camera and sound negatives provided by Purnima Dutta and the magnetic track preserved by BFI National Archive. Funding provided by the Golden Globe Foundation. Special thanks to Wes Anderson and Sandip Ray.
The Hunger Games
DCP
Adventure
Cinema Associate Kamryn chose THE HUNGER GAMES! In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold…
Cinema Associate Kamryn chose THE HUNGER GAMES! In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love.
Song Sung Blue
DCP
Romance
Documentary
Guests In Attendance
Join us to celebrate Milwaukee Day on 4/14 for a screening of the made-in-Milwaukee documentary which inspired the 2025 adaptation.…
Join us to celebrate Milwaukee Day on 4/14 for a screening of the made-in-Milwaukee documentary which inspired the 2025 adaptation. An inspiring account of Milwaukee's Neil Diamond tribute band/husband and wife singing duo, Lightning & Thunder, and their tragic love story.Following the screening, stick around for a Q&A featuring some of the local folks who made the film possible, Timm Gable, Jimmy Sammarco, Bill Armstrong.
Ueck
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
Milwaukee legend, Bob Uecker, the former Major League baseball player, Hall of Fame sportscaster, comedian, and actor has seen it…
Milwaukee legend, Bob Uecker, the former Major League baseball player, Hall of Fame sportscaster, comedian, and actor has seen it all and made us laugh along the way. Though UECK passed away in January 2025, this documentary from Milwaukee-based filmmakers Michael T. Vollmann and Steve Farr persists as a testament to his legacy, giving audiences intimate access to his life, work, family, and friends, amplifying his humor and heart for future generations.
BURN
Drama
Cult
When runaway teen Ju-Ju is embraced by a tribe of misfit youths in Kabukicho, she finds belonging for the first…
When runaway teen Ju-Ju is embraced by a tribe of misfit youths in Kabukicho, she finds belonging for the first time—until betrayal and despair twist her haven into a prison, and she’s left with one way to take back control. "While it contains some harsh, bleak truths, there’s an empathy for these kids that’s palpable, and it’s the sense that Nagahisa cares about Ju-Ju that makes it work." (Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com)
Carolina Caroline
Drama
Crime
Romance
MFF2020 alum Adam Carter Rehmeier tells the story of Caroline (Samara Weaving) who joins a charming con man (Kyle Gallner)…
MFF2020 alum Adam Carter Rehmeier tells the story of Caroline (Samara Weaving) who joins a charming con man (Kyle Gallner) on the run, leaving a trail of crime and passion as they search for her estranged mother. "With what can at times be a ravishing romance, a clever con comedy, or a taut heist movie from scene to scene, it constantly diverts your attention, you only realize after how it’s run away with your heart." (Stephen Saito, Moveable Feast)
El Canto De Las Manos (Song of the Hands)
Documentary
Open Captioned Screening
Renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel partners with Coro de Manos Blancas, a choir of deaf performers in Venezuela, to stage Beethoven’s…
Renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel partners with Coro de Manos Blancas, a choir of deaf performers in Venezuela, to stage Beethoven’s opera FIDELIO. As the choir prepares for their innovative performance, the film follows them through auditions, rehearsals, and personal stories of resilience in the face of anti-deaf discrimination. With music expressed through sign language, this film delivers a moving portrait of an often-overlooked community, celebrating the transformative power of art and self-expression.
Erupcja
Drama
Romance
While on vacation in Poland, Bethany (Charli XCX) breaks away from a romantic itinerary planned by her doting boyfriend, Rob…
While on vacation in Poland, Bethany (Charli XCX) breaks away from a romantic itinerary planned by her doting boyfriend, Rob (Will Madden), fearing that a marriage proposal is imminent. Reuniting instead with an old friend, Nel (Lena Góra), the two women rekindle a uniquely combustible and volcanic chemistry over the course of a few days in a chaste but burning tryst predicated on sapphic synchronicity and a mutual penchant for poetry.
HOLD ONTO ME (Κράτα Με)
Drama
11-year-old Iris learns her estranged father, Aris, is back in town for his own father’s funeral. Determined to know him,…
11-year-old Iris learns her estranged father, Aris, is back in town for his own father’s funeral. Determined to know him, Iris tracks him down to a dilapidated shipyard, where he’s been keeping to himself. What begins as a stubborn attempt to reconnect slowly unfolds into a fragile bond. Winner of the Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award, director Myrsini Aristidou's feature debut is a touching and poignant family tale.
Happy Birthday
Drama
In this poignant debut feature, eight-year-old Toha works as a child maid for a wealthy Cairo family and forms a…
In this poignant debut feature, eight-year-old Toha works as a child maid for a wealthy Cairo family and forms a special bond with her employer's daughter, Nelly. Having never celebrated her own birthday, Toha becomes determined to ensure Nelly has a perfect party. As Toha's relationship with Nelly's mother, Laila, begins to transcend typical employer-servant boundaries, deep-rooted social hierarchies are threatened, forcing the young girl to confront harsh realities of class division in modern Egypt.
Hen
Drama
Cult
Following his cult films TAXIDERMIA and FREE FALL, György Pálfi is back with a tragicomic tale full of heart and…
Following his cult films TAXIDERMIA and FREE FALL, György Pálfi is back with a tragicomic tale full of heart and feathers. Escaping from a chicken farm, our hen heroine finds refuge in the courtyard of a crumbling restaurant. There, she discovers love, confronts the pecking order, and fights to protect her eggs from a greedy owner. Her droll yet touching quest for motherhood mirrors the messy compromises and silent struggles of human lives.
If These Walls Could Rock
Documentary
Multi-MFF alum Tyler Measom returns to the Festival with IF THESE WALLS COULD ROCK—the untold story of the Sunset Marquis—the…
Multi-MFF alum Tyler Measom returns to the Festival with IF THESE WALLS COULD ROCK—the untold story of the Sunset Marquis—the legendary West Hollywood hideaway where rock stars checked in, passed out, and made history. Featuring a Hall of Fame lineup including Ringo Starr, Cyndi Lauper, Morrissey, and Dave Grohl, the film dives deep into the debauchery, music, and magic that made the Marquis the heartbeat of rock 'n roll for over six decades.
Late Fame
Drama
In Kent Jones' marvelously witty second feature, a once-upon-a-time New York poet (Willem Dafoe) gets an ego boost when he…
In Kent Jones' marvelously witty second feature, a once-upon-a-time New York poet (Willem Dafoe) gets an ego boost when he is welcomed into the world of an emerging literary salon, but must reckon with the authenticity of his newfound circle of twentysomething admirers. "The classic theatricality of its characters juxtaposed with the modern world gives LATE FAME the feeling of a eulogy for an artistic world that young idealists desperately want to revive." (Jourdain Searles, RogerEbert.com)
Love Letters
Drama
Romance
Paris, 2014. Céline is expecting her firstborn. But she’s not the one who’s pregnant. In three months, her wife, Nadia,…
Paris, 2014. Céline is expecting her firstborn. But she’s not the one who’s pregnant. In three months, her wife, Nadia, will give birth to their daughter. Under French law, Céline must secure testimonies from her friends, her mother, and others from her past to adopt the child carried by her wife. This stunning feature debut frames love as radiant armor against life’s thorniest trials.
Midwest Documentary Summit
Panel
Guests in Attendance
In partnership with American Documentary and Kartemquin Films, this summit, which is free to attend and suitable for documentary and…
In partnership with American Documentary and Kartemquin Films, this summit, which is free to attend and suitable for documentary and fiction filmmakers of all levels, will include discussions of filmmaking ethics, festival and distribution strategies, and the contemporary landscape of nonfiction media.Sessions at noon and 2pm with a happy hour to follow at 4pm at the Festival Lounge.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Misan Harriman: Shoot the People
Documentary
Featuring conversations with Rep. Ilhan Omar and Martin Luther King III, this urgent and compelling documentary follows Nigerian-born British image-maker…
Featuring conversations with Rep. Ilhan Omar and Martin Luther King III, this urgent and compelling documentary follows Nigerian-born British image-maker Misan Harriman, best known for his powerful photographs of grassroots protests against climate change inaction, Gaza atrocities, George Floyd’s murder, and more. However, even as his images provoke palpable reactions, as a self-described person of privilege, Harriman shares his doubts about his work’s effectiveness while reflecting on his life's work.
Newport & the Great Folk Dream
Documentary
Before Coachella and Woodstock, there was Newport. From 1963 to 1966, the famed Newport Folk Festival brought together the likes…
Before Coachella and Woodstock, there was Newport. From 1963 to 1966, the famed Newport Folk Festival brought together the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger, and more. Rare and previously unseen archival footage captures this charged moment when freedom songs met work songs, tradition met innovation, and the spirit of protest filled the air. This earnest documentary filled with poignant melodies reveals how music can illuminate struggle, inspire courage, and keep democracy alive.
Severin Presents: A Bay of Blood
Horror
Cult
A wealthy countess is murdered for her bayfront real estate, leading to the systematic slaughter of ruthless developers, greedy heirs,…
A wealthy countess is murdered for her bayfront real estate, leading to the systematic slaughter of ruthless developers, greedy heirs, and bad neighbors. After he established the giallo genre with BLOOD AND BLACK LACE, Mario Bava once again forever altered the horror landscape with A BAY OF BLOOD, bursting onto the scene as the first slasher film. Arrive early for the Severin Films blu-ray booth and get a free, branded barf bag for the screening (while supplies last).
Shorts: Date Night
Shorts Program
Romance
Your 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival isn't complete without a Date Night. Fall in love with these ten tales full of…
Your 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival isn't complete without a Date Night. Fall in love with these ten tales full of heartwarming meet-cutes, steamy encounters, hilarious hurdles, and the secrets to making it all last.This program includes the following short films:Chappell Roan - “The Subway” | Amber Grace JohnsonDISC | Blake Winston RiceDivine Intervention | Ravenna TranForcefield of Love | Liz Moskowitz, Riley EngemoenHouston, We Have a Crush | Omer Ben ShacharHUGS | Nicolas FongIvar | Markus TangreNarrated By | Khaya FraitesThe Second Time Around | Jack HowardTwo Ships | McKinley Benson
Shorts: Let's Get Animated
Shorts Program
Animation
Take the inventive, dazzling energy of our Rated K: For Kids shorts and turn it toward the messy, complicated side…
Take the inventive, dazzling energy of our Rated K: For Kids shorts and turn it toward the messy, complicated side of being all grown up. From bizarre misadventures to a singular new creation from two-time Oscar-nominee Don Hertzfeldt, these darkly funny, poignant, and visually stunning animated shorts prove that "cartoons" are more than just child's play. AGES 13+This program includes the following short films:1981 | Andy London, Carolyn London9 Million Colors (9 milionů barev) | Bára AnnaBrain Space | Laura TofaridesBusy Bodies | Kate Renshaw-LewisMangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks) | Louise FlahertyOvary-Acting | Ida MelumPaper Trail | Don HertzfeldtWater Girl (Fille de l’eau) | Sandra Desmazières
The Dads
Documentary
Expanded from MFF alum Luchina Fisher's award winning short documentary of the same name, THE DADS follows fathers of trans…
Expanded from MFF alum Luchina Fisher's award winning short documentary of the same name, THE DADS follows fathers of trans and nonbinary children as they confront attacks from a newly empowered right-wing administration and conservative Supreme Court. Fathers from across the county (including Wisconsin!) gather together for a retreat, gain healing and respite in nature, and reveal fatherhood as an act of profound, radical resistance.
The Last Spy
Documentary
From escaping Nazi Germany as a Jewish refugee to becoming the first CIA Station chief in post-war Berlin and a…
From escaping Nazi Germany as a Jewish refugee to becoming the first CIA Station chief in post-war Berlin and a key player in Cold War espionage, THE LAST SPY is a riveting documentary honoring the life of 100-year-old CIA spymaster Peter Sichel. Sichel's story inspires while also providing insights to late 20th century geopolitics and espionage that go beyond what is depicted onscreen in fiction.
All of the Above
Documentary
Students from different faith backgrounds come together for an epic World Religions class in a public Illinois high school. Through…
Students from different faith backgrounds come together for an epic World Religions class in a public Illinois high school. Through the work of a challenging yet compassionate teacher, the community as a whole is asked to confront preconceived notions of faith and belonging—religious literacy, as he terms it. With a deft hand, director Allison Walsh (an alum of the course) opens up access to these questions for viewers of all ages, faith backgrounds, and ideologies.
Gaslit
Documentary
In GASLIT, actor and activist Jane Fonda embarks on a road trip through Texas oil fields and Gulf Coast communities,…
In GASLIT, actor and activist Jane Fonda embarks on a road trip through Texas oil fields and Gulf Coast communities, meeting the people who are fighting back against the oil and gas extraction boom. Kenosha native Katie Camosy deftly shares the stories of the cattle ranchers, former oil workers, families, community organizers, self-described “reluctant activists,” and people across political and cultural spectrums who have come together in defense of the communities and coastlines they love.
Public Access
Documentary
An unprecedented look inside one of the greatest media experiments to hijack American screens. Rare archives from New York's underground…
An unprecedented look inside one of the greatest media experiments to hijack American screens. Rare archives from New York's underground capture a world of creators who transformed our TVs into groundbreaking spaces for self-expression that continue to shape debates around platforms, power, and free speech. PUBLIC ACCESS is the untold story of the channels that shattered norms, subverted media, defied censors, and provoked battles over free speech fortelling our world today.
A Useful Ghost
Cult
Comedy
March is mourning his wife Nat who has recently passed away due to dust pollution. He discovers her spirit has…
March is mourning his wife Nat who has recently passed away due to dust pollution. He discovers her spirit has returned by possessing a vacuum cleaner. Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes Critics' Week, this film smartly plays with tones and social comments while revisiting classism and oppression throughout Thailand's history. From ambitious and creative newcomer Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke comes a genre-smashing amalgamation of fantasy, horror, romance, comedy, art house and everything in between.
Happy Hour
Mixer
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Join us and our co-hosts at our Festival Lounge at Vier North sponsored by…
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Join us and our co-hosts at our Festival Lounge at Vier North sponsored by The Yabuki Family Foundation to celebrate the festival and mix and mingle with filmmakers and other guests.Thanks to our co-hosts for supporting the following events:FRIDAY APRIL 17 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Kartemquin Films and American DocumentarySATURDAY APRIL 18 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by EventiveMONDAY, APRIL 20 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by AwenTUESDAY APRIL 21 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Imagine MKE, Action! Wisconsin, and Film WisconsinFRIDAY APRIL 24 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Untitled FilmmakerSATURDAY APRIL 25 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMHosted by Motion MakersMONDAY APRIL 27 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by North American CinemaTUESDAY APRIL 28 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMHosted by Washington Park Media Center and Place Base Media
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Documentary
AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ celebrates the life and legacy of the Chicano playwright, from his work creating…
AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ celebrates the life and legacy of the Chicano playwright, from his work creating theater shows for migrant food workers to studio films like LA BAMBA and ZOOT SUIT. This Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner features interviews with legends like Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips, who recognize the resounding legacy of Luis Valdez, whose influential work continues to reflect the struggles and triumphs of the Mexican-American community.
Beyond
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
A group of incarcerated men prepare for a TED-style event at Sing Sing prison that showcases their personal narratives along…
A group of incarcerated men prepare for a TED-style event at Sing Sing prison that showcases their personal narratives along with ideas for changing the prison system and healing their communities. With unprecedented access, the film follows the speakers’ journeys from audition to their climactic moment on stage, highlighting themes of vulnerability, healing, and redemption, while showcasing the power of performance and storytelling in and outside of the carceral justice system.
Black Lens Doc Shorts: It Takes a Village
Shorts Program
Documentary
This collection of non-fiction shorts depicts a powerful and grounding look at the real world. From forests filled with camping…
This collection of non-fiction shorts depicts a powerful and grounding look at the real world. From forests filled with camping teenagers and vital bee-keeping lessons, to a drive-thru in Gainesville, FL, these films offer sincere bite-sized looks at some of the many realities and lived experiences that come with being Black in America.This program includes the following short films:One Last Order | Sam Soko, Lauren DeFilippoThe Boys and the Bees | Arielle KnightThey Put Us in The Woods | Cristin Stephens
Black Zombie
Documentary
Cult
From the flickering screens of Hollywood horror, to the haunted cane fields of colonial Haiti, BLACK ZOMBIE unearths the buried…
From the flickering screens of Hollywood horror, to the haunted cane fields of colonial Haiti, BLACK ZOMBIE unearths the buried origins of the zombie, reclaiming it as a symbol of survival and spiritual resistance. This documentary is for all walks of life, horror fans or not, as it digs into common misconceptions around one of fiction's most popular tropes and leaves you with a firm grasp on what "zombies" are and represent outside of fiction.
Blue Heron
Drama
MFF2018 alum Sophy Romvari's feature debut opens on a Hungarian-Canadian family of six as they adapt to a new home…
MFF2018 alum Sophy Romvari's feature debut opens on a Hungarian-Canadian family of six as they adapt to a new home on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. Seen from the perspective of the youngest daughter Sasha, events range from the comfortably quotidian—family beach days and park outings, summer afternoon fun with trampolines and garden hoses—to those that take on a darker cast as the extent of the issues concerning one family member become clear.
F*cktoys
Comedy
Cult
Part-time sex worker, full-time chaos magnet, AP is convinced the universe has it out for her… and she might be…
Part-time sex worker, full-time chaos magnet, AP is convinced the universe has it out for her… and she might be right. In F*CKTOYS — the wild, unfiltered debut from writer/director/star Annapurna Sriram — AP seeks a cosmic reset after a swampy tarot reading (courtesy of NOLA bounce icon Big Freedia) tells her she needs $1,000 and a lamb sacrifice to lift her curse. Armed with neither, she sets off on a bizarre quest with her ex-turned-bestie Danni (SPOILER ALERTS’s Sadie Scott) through Trashtown, USA — a dystopian, neon-drenched sprawl of assorted oddballs, bondage cops, and strip clubs galore.
Flush
Cult
Comedy
When middle-aged coke fiend Luc goes to confront his ex at the club where she works, determined to win back…
When middle-aged coke fiend Luc goes to confront his ex at the club where she works, determined to win back her love, he somehow finds himself wedged firmly in a toilet, effectively trapping him in a bathroom stall—not to mention the heap of coke that he stole from the bar’s resident dealer. When he's found, it sets off an increasingly crazy series of circumstances that veer from the hilarious to the intensely grotesque.
Future Council
Documentary
Family
Seeking solutions for a greener world, documentarian Damon Gameau assembles a group of the world's most innovative thinkers—who also happen…
Seeking solutions for a greener world, documentarian Damon Gameau assembles a group of the world's most innovative thinkers—who also happen to be kids. Brilliantly flipping climate anxiety into tear-jerking heaps of hope, FUTURE COUNCIL chronicles eight middle-school activists on the ultimate field trip: traversing Europe in a yellow school bus to visit the natural wonders they aim to save, learn from each other, and challenge real world leaders to fight for their future.AGES 10+ limited cursing ("shit" and "badass" are said), discussion of anxiety and the weight of carrying global issues as a kid, some animated peril
I Want Your Sex
Comedy
Cult
When fresh-faced Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) lands a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), his fantasies come true…
When fresh-faced Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) lands a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), his fantasies come true as she taps him to become her sexual muse. Elliot finds himself out of his depth as Erika takes him on a journey into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal, and murder. Director Gregg Araki captured the voice of a generation in the 90s and he's using it to beg Gen Z to change their puritanical ways.
Kids Shorts: Size Large
Shorts Program
Family
Between the smallest warrior finding big hope for peace, a boy saving his Nainai's dumpling shop, and a sparrow NOT…
Between the smallest warrior finding big hope for peace, a boy saving his Nainai's dumpling shop, and a sparrow NOT looking up to an ostrich, these shorts for big kids will take them around the world to see how others are stepping into tween-dom with wisdom, bravery, and laughter.AGES 10+ subtitles, animated depiction of medieval war / violence, depictions of grief, cartoonish depiction of cosmetic procedure, perilThis program includes the following short films:Éiru | Giovanna FerrariLakay | Amarise DeFrancoMountain Roots | Carrie McCarthy, Mark PedriNainai’s Recipe | Daya LeeOstrich | Marie KenovPush (Pousse) | Oana LacroixThe Legend of the Hummingbird (La légende du colibri) | Morgan DevosWednesdays with Gramps | Chris Copeland, Justin Copeland
Kids Shorts: Size Small
Shorts Program
Family
Packed to its teeny-tiny brim with stories sure to inspire wonder in our teeniest-tiniest audiences (maybe even for their first…
Packed to its teeny-tiny brim with stories sure to inspire wonder in our teeniest-tiniest audiences (maybe even for their first time in-theater!), this collection of shorts will have our littlest ones experiencing the awe of cinema in a kaleidoscope of dancing, early life lessons, and an Evel Knievel weevil.AGES 3+ safe for all ages!This program includes the following short films:Baião D’intérieurs | Héloïse Dorsan-RachetCloud Fish (Poisson Nuage) | Noé GarciaDancing in the Rain | Chao-chun YehKukeleku | Jelle JanssenMy Neighbor | Dominic M. CarolaMeevil the Weevil: Breakfast of Champions | Kyle ArnesonPiccolo Piccolo | Marta GennariSketches on Ice (Esquisses sur glace) | Marion AuvinThe Naughty Seat | David Johnson
Kings of Venice
Documentary
Comedy
With the rise of pickleball as the trendiest sport on the block, committed members of Venice Beach’s long-standing paddle tennis…
With the rise of pickleball as the trendiest sport on the block, committed members of Venice Beach’s long-standing paddle tennis community fight to maintain their status. When the pickleballers threaten to push them off the beach, a group of ragtag characters band together to present a tournament to end all tournaments and prove that paddle tennis still holds a spot. This spirited sports doc serves an underdog story you can't miss.
My Brother's Killer
Documentary
Crime
The unsolved WeHo murder of Billy London, a gay adult film performer who grew up in rural Wisconsin, lingered as…
The unsolved WeHo murder of Billy London, a gay adult film performer who grew up in rural Wisconsin, lingered as an urban legend for 33 years. What begins as a documentary tribute to Billy's life evolves into a gripping investigation as community members uncover overlooked clues and pursue long-delayed justice. Drawing from a trove of personal footage, MY BROTHER'S KILLER exposes eerie connections between Billy and several suspects filmed in the narrow window surrounding his death.
Now! More! Yes!
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
Milwaukee-based artist Max Hey started recording his landlord, TW Hansen, a blind picture car wrangler, after witnessing him purchase an…
Milwaukee-based artist Max Hey started recording his landlord, TW Hansen, a blind picture car wrangler, after witnessing him purchase an ambulance with no keys on an auction website. When a sudden job loss leads TW into a spiral of despair, his resilience is tested in ways that push him to the edge. NOW! MORE! YES! is a celebration of the human spirit, the power of relationships, and the unexpected ways life can turn around.
Panel: Appropriated Media
Panel
Guests in Attendance
A discussion about the use of appropriated media in film, featuring the director of PUBLIC ACCESS, David Shadrack Smith and…
A discussion about the use of appropriated media in film, featuring the director of PUBLIC ACCESS, David Shadrack Smith and local filmmakers and UWM educators, Jesse McLean and Sarah Ballard.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Panel: Why Festivals Matter
Panel
Guests in Attendance
Join Eventive’s co-founder and CEO, Iddo Patt, for a discussion about the role of film festivals in the independent media…
Join Eventive’s co-founder and CEO, Iddo Patt, for a discussion about the role of film festivals in the independent media ecosystem.All panels are free and open to the public - no ticket or pass is required to attend. Seating is on an as-available basis.
Saccharine
Horror
Lovelorn medical student Hana joins an obscure weight-loss craze (eating human ashes), but her desperate pursuit of control unleashes a…
Lovelorn medical student Hana joins an obscure weight-loss craze (eating human ashes), but her desperate pursuit of control unleashes a haunting force tied to the dead she devours. As physical transformation dances with supernatural terror, this eerie Australian horror interrogates body image, compulsion, and the dark cost of getting what you want fast.Preceded by A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE | Dir. Sophia Stezala
Shorts: The Best Damn F*#@ing Midnight Program Ever. Shit.
Shorts Program
Horror
Cult
Enter a f*#@ed up world of chaos, creeps, and gallonsssss of pus. <3 From twisted intimacy to surreal transformations, wild…
Enter a f*#@ed up world of chaos, creeps, and gallonsssss of pus. <3 From twisted intimacy to surreal transformations, wild late-night humor to gnarly nightmares, these eight films push boundaries, dare discomfort, and guarantee you’ll leave the theater wide awake. It's an after-hours party for festival-goers 18+.This program includes the following short films:Channelvue | Brandon TauszikHomemade Gatorade | Carter Amelia DavisImago | Ariel ZengotitaMAN EATING PUSSY | Emily LawsonRéel | Rodrigue HuartTongue | Lim Da seulTuna Tartare | Lena GreeneWax | Alexandre Forgues
Silent Friend
Drama
A majestic ginkgo tree in the heart of a medieval German university town stands witness to three human lives. 2020,…
A majestic ginkgo tree in the heart of a medieval German university town stands witness to three human lives. 2020, a neuroscientist from Hong Kong, exploring the mind of babies, begins an unexpected experiment with the old tree. 1972, a young student is profoundly changed by observing and connecting with a geranium. 1908, the university’s first female student discovers, through the lens of photography, sacred patterns of the universe hidden within the humblest of plants.
We Are Fugazi From Washington, D.C.
Documentary
WE ARE FUGAZI FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. is a collection of crowd-sourced, fan-recorded live shows, and rare archival footage that pays…
WE ARE FUGAZI FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. is a collection of crowd-sourced, fan-recorded live shows, and rare archival footage that pays tribute to Fugazi’s prowess as a live act—for old fans to remember and for a new generation to discover what they missed. From the director of HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT, this film celebrates the fans and their cameras, as much as the band itself—a collision/collusion of the ephemeral moment on stage and the moments captured on camera.
Your Attention Please
Documentary
A new generation of parents, teens, and reformers are fighting back against Big Tech’s agenda to define the future of…
A new generation of parents, teens, and reformers are fighting back against Big Tech’s agenda to define the future of human connection. Blending intimate human stories with insights from leading experts in tech reform and digital wellbeing, YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE reveals how deeply the attention economy is reshaping us while asking some of the most urgent questions of our time. A must watch for anyone with an online presence, which, in 2026, is most of us.
Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story
Documentary
Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously…
Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring. Amid hilarious moments from her stand-up specials and fellow comedians weighing in on what makes her so funny, Bamford lays bare the anxiety and persistence underpinning her career. Whether you’re a fan or a newcomer, this film feels like laughing with a friend who speaks with a fearless intimacy and joy.
The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas
Documentary
APA, APIDA, AAPI, AANHPI. The acronyms are as unwieldy as the assortment of countries, territories, and lands whose people have…
APA, APIDA, AAPI, AANHPI. The acronyms are as unwieldy as the assortment of countries, territories, and lands whose people have been grouped under these letters. But what do they share, if anything at all? With artfully used archival footage and heartfelt original interviews, MFF2022 alum Eugene Yi deftly interrogates these questions across fifteen profiles of nationally recognized names and more homegrown heroes, ultimately finding common threads of humanity amidst vast difference.
The Last Critic
Documentary
Sixty years and a million records ago, Robert Christgau invented Rock music criticism. Now in his eighties, Bob is still…
Sixty years and a million records ago, Robert Christgau invented Rock music criticism. Now in his eighties, Bob is still at it—amazingly with the same vigor, wit, and masterful craft that has defined his expansive and trailblazing career. But in a world where albums are increasingly irrelevant, print is dead, and algorithms have eclipsed critics, this playful documentary asks: What happens next—for Bob, but also for music criticism as a whole??
Shorts: Surprise, Surprise
Shorts Program
Comedy
It's no surprise why this comedy shorts program has become a Festival favorite. 94 minutes bursting with creativity, hilarious reveals,…
It's no surprise why this comedy shorts program has become a Festival favorite. 94 minutes bursting with creativity, hilarious reveals, and jaw-dropping twists, SHORTS: SURPRISE SURPRISE is the perfect pick-me-up for your MFF experience. I would tell you more, but that would ruin the surprise!This program includes the following short films:A Very Normal Seeming Man | Allamaprabhu PattanashettyBaa-baa! | Teresa JuksaarBalloon Animals | Anna BaumgartenCandy Bar | Nash EdgertonHalfway Haunted | Sam RudykoffPassarinho | Natalia García AgrazReplay | Phil MazoShe Raised Me | Ben LewisThe Weird Guy | Sandy Honig
Traces of Home
Documentary
In her award-winning debut feature film TRACES OF HOME, filmmaker Colette Ghunim follows her family through the complex histories of…
In her award-winning debut feature film TRACES OF HOME, filmmaker Colette Ghunim follows her family through the complex histories of her Mexican mother and Palestinian father's journeys to the US and return to their homelands. Colette’s initial desire to heal her disconnect from her cultures and her parents reveals an internal quest to discover home within herself. This highly reflective and personal documentary doubles as a meditation on loss and grief relieved, ultimately, through reconciliation.
Cookie Queens
Documentary
Family
It’s cookie season, and pressure is rising as four tenacious Girl Scouts strive not only to be top-sellers in their…
It’s cookie season, and pressure is rising as four tenacious Girl Scouts strive not only to be top-sellers in their troops, but to simply get through the thousands of dollars of cookies that they've pledged to sell. Deadlines approaching, trophies on the line, TV appearances, questions of capitalism, no sugar-free cookies?! Doc Queen Alysa Nahmias crafts a sweetly profound documentary navigating the $800 million business in which girlhood and ambition collide. AGES 8+
Intoxicated Rain
Local
Drama
Guests in Attendance
Along the Western shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee, lies the small town of Port Washington, WI. When…
Along the Western shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee, lies the small town of Port Washington, WI. When two old fishermen recover the curious isolated remains of a human face, the town is unsettled but carries on. Against this backdrop we meet Jaden Sobczak, a biracial young man coming of age while feeling caught between places, cultures, and family members in this heartfelt film, produced by talented local cast and crew.
Kids Shorts: Size Medium
Shorts Program
Family
As our youngest move into the next phase of their childhood, these films similarly start to expand in story, style,…
As our youngest move into the next phase of their childhood, these films similarly start to expand in story, style, and heart: a lonely polar bear making a new friend out of snow, a young gamer learning to love his indigenous culture, and, of course, garden gnomes.AGES 6+ some frightening images (aliens, forest fire), mild cartoon violence, depiction of grief, depiction of dead animalThis program includes the following short films:Cardboard | J.P. VineFirst Winter | Schantelle AlonzoForever | Théo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, Anissa TerrierForevergreen | Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy SpearsPow! | Joey CliftSnow Bear | Aaron BlaiseSolstice | Luke AngusThe Princess is Missing! | Kabir Kukathas
Nino
Drama
A sudden diagnosis leaves Nino, a young man in his late 20s, facing mortality with grace, quiet humor, and the…
A sudden diagnosis leaves Nino, a young man in his late 20s, facing mortality with grace, quiet humor, and the company of family and friends over the course of his birthday weekend, all anchored by Quebec actor and multi-MFF alum Théodore Pellerin’s soulful performance. “Loques’ tender debut feels connected to a tradition of French cinema that includes Agnes Varda’s CLEO FROM 5 TO 7 and Francois Ozon’s TIME TO LEAVE." (Allan Hunter, Screen Daily)
The Blue Trail (O último azul)
Drama
To maximize economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza, 77, refuses, instead embarking…
To maximize economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza, 77, refuses, instead embarking on a journey through the Amazon that will change her destiny forever. Winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, the latest from director Gabriel Mascaro (DIVINE LOVE, MFF2019) is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to take flight.
The Python Hunt
Documentary
Every year, the Florida government calls upon the general public to compete in an invasive python removal contest in the…
Every year, the Florida government calls upon the general public to compete in an invasive python removal contest in the Everglades in an attempt to save the threatened ecosystem. For ten grueling nights, an eclectic group of amateur hunters confront the dangerous terrain, nocturnal creatures, and their own tiny demons. Meanwhile, one professional hunter leads the charge to undermine the competition, questioning what hides beneath the python mania gripping the ‘glades.
Yes
Comedy
Drama
Cult
In YES, Director Nadav Lapid (MFF2019) once again takes vigorous critical aim at the Israeli government with a new approach:…
In YES, Director Nadav Lapid (MFF2019) once again takes vigorous critical aim at the Israeli government with a new approach: submission. In the days following October 7, Y., a jazz musician, and his wife Yasmin, a dancer, resolve to say yes to everything. They surrender themselves and their art to Israel’s social, political, and military elite. Soon, Y. is entrusted with a mission of the utmost importance: to compose the music for a rousing, ruthless new national anthem.
Barbara Forever
Documentary
An intimate, dream-like, and masterfully crafted look at the iconic life, work, and legacy of the pioneering feminist experimental filmmaker…
An intimate, dream-like, and masterfully crafted look at the iconic life, work, and legacy of the pioneering feminist experimental filmmaker responsible for some of the most prominent early works in lesbian cinema. Expanded from her 2022 award-winning short LOVE, BARBARA, Brydie O'Connor traces Hammer's prolific canon alongside never-before-seen documentations of her life, revealing her unconventional attempts to live on forever—especially through extensive archival efforts. Fans and newcomers alike: immerse yourselves fully in Hammer's legacy of Dyketactics.
Keep Quiet and Forgive
Documentary
Based on groundbreaking reporting with access to one of the world's most secretive communities, KEEP QUIET AND FORGIVE follows the…
Based on groundbreaking reporting with access to one of the world's most secretive communities, KEEP QUIET AND FORGIVE follows the courageous journey of Lizzie, a former Amish woman who breaks her silence about sexual abuse and ignites a nationwide movement of Amish survivors. With Lizzie as our guide, this film, shot over five years across several states (including Wisconsin) testifies to the transformative power of a survivor’s movement that reverberates beyond the Amish community.
Seized
Documentary
When the small town of Marion, KS, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion…
When the small town of Marion, KS, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner, a fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution. This taut documentary reveals the power and pressures of ethics and freedom of speech and the press that pervade our times, even in rural Kansas.
I Swear
Drama
I SWEAR tells the life story of Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson, MBE. Set within 1980s Britain, the story follows…
I SWEAR tells the life story of Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson, MBE. Set within 1980s Britain, the story follows him throughout his troubled teens and early adulthood, and explores this little known and entirely misunderstood condition, along with his attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds. The film is led by a tour-de-force performance from actor Robert Aramayo, who won a BAFTA for the role.
The Way We Move
Documentary
Open Captioned Screening
Amber Galloway is a star ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter who specializes in live music interpretations. Amber teaches her art…
Amber Galloway is a star ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter who specializes in live music interpretations. Amber teaches her art to share her life’s mission: making music accessible to the Deaf community. As the film unfolds, we learn about Amber’s painful past and the lives of her students, as they come together and forge life-long bonds. THE WAY WE MOVE is a powerful film about music, Deaf culture, connection, and resilience.
Welcome Poets
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
A poetically structured documentary that follows 2023-24 Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Nicholas Gulig, as he returns to his home state of…
A poetically structured documentary that follows 2023-24 Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Nicholas Gulig, as he returns to his home state of Wisconsin after nearly two decades away, following five years teaching in Thailand, joins UW-Whitewater as a poetry professor, and moves to Fort Atkinson. Feeling estranged from the state, and in a divided political climate, Gulig finds a steadying presence in the region's ties to lauded 20th century Wisconsin poet Lorine Niedecker.
Joybubbles
Documentary
Born blind and yearning for connection, Joybubbles discovers he can manipulate the telephone system by whistling a magic tone, unwittingly…
Born blind and yearning for connection, Joybubbles discovers he can manipulate the telephone system by whistling a magic tone, unwittingly laying the groundwork for a hacking subculture that shapes the future of technology. A film as uplifting as its protagonist’s chosen name, Rachael J. Morrison brings that same sense of delight to her feature debut, creatively employing playful archival material to illustrate Joybubbles’ unforgettable story, presented with open audio description at our screening on April 19 to create paths for access to many audiences.Please note: screening on April 19 will be presented with open audio description. Other screenings will have audio description available thorough individual headsets while supplies last.
Shorts: Stranger Than Fiction
Shorts Program
Documentary
An explosive moment with a beached whale, a world record attempt, and the origins of an iconic 80's tune—you'll find…
An explosive moment with a beached whale, a world record attempt, and the origins of an iconic 80's tune—you'll find all this and so much more in our annual parade of documentary shorts that have to be seen to be believed.This program includes the following short films:Coming Home | Joanna RudnickEructation | Victoria TrowLuigi | Liza MandelupOh Whale | Winslow Crane-MurdochOH YEAH! | Nick CanfieldThe Baker’s Hotline | Emily Schuman, Dave SchumanWe Were The Scenery | Christopher Radcliff
American Doctor
Documentary
When three American doctors—Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—enter Gaza with a shared oath to save lives that unites them beyond their…
When three American doctors—Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—enter Gaza with a shared oath to save lives that unites them beyond their diffrences, they find themselves caught between medicine and politics, risking everything to expose the truth. Filmed in unfolding, on-the-ground scenes, this unflinching vérité documentary follows these three colleagues from a Gazan hospital under siege to the halls of Congress, serving as a testament to those who remain brave in the face of atrocity.
Cine Sin Fronteras Shorts
Shorts Program
From documentaries to animation, the four films in the CINE SIN FRONTERAS SHORTS program explore physicality, grief, reflection, and transformation.…
From documentaries to animation, the four films in the CINE SIN FRONTERAS SHORTS program explore physicality, grief, reflection, and transformation. Guaranteed to take you on a journey of emotions and experiences, these films bring us into the realities of a beloved Luchador, body dysmorphia, unexpected surprises, and unpacking loss.This program includes the following short films:Kemonito: La Ultima Caida (Kemonito: The Final Fall) | Teresa de MiguelLa Pena No Duerme De Noche (Sorrow Doesn't Sleep At Night) | Josefina Montino Cabrera, Martín AndréMarga en el DF | Gabriela OrtegaUna Vez En Un Cuerpo (Once in a Body) | María Cristina Pérez González
GenreQueer Shorts
Shorts Program
From tender (BAFTA Award-winning!) animation to laugh out loud comedies, GENREQUEER SHORTS continues Milwaukee Film's year-round celebration of queer cinema.…
From tender (BAFTA Award-winning!) animation to laugh out loud comedies, GENREQUEER SHORTS continues Milwaukee Film's year-round celebration of queer cinema. Join us for an evening that showcases the unique histories, complexities, and joys of the LGBTQ+ experience.This program includes the following short films:AutoErotica: We Buy Gay Stuff | Jeremy von StilbBetty St. Clair | Kyle Casey Chu, Syra McCarthyButt/Stuff | Ricki RomanoIn the Flesh | Emily Frances KaplanPoreless Harris DoranRainbow Girls | Nana DuffuorThe Motive | Jorge MolinaTwo Black Boys in Paradise | Baz Sells
Maddie's Secret
Comedy
Cult
MADDIE'S SECRET is the year's smartest comedy-melodrama featuring your favorite alternative millennial comedians, John Early, Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and…
MADDIE'S SECRET is the year's smartest comedy-melodrama featuring your favorite alternative millennial comedians, John Early, Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Conner O'Malley. Early stars as Maddie, a charming food influencer whose online rise collides with a hidden struggle with bulimia. Blending sharp satire of social media culture with genuine emotional depth, this festival gem is a heartfelt combination of the filmmaking energies of John Waters and Todd Haynes.Preceded by ROACH TRIP | Dir. Clare McNulty
Silent Rebellion
Drama
A virtuous teen in a repressive rural Protestant community in 1943 Switzerland questions her village's morality as they turn away…
A virtuous teen in a repressive rural Protestant community in 1943 Switzerland questions her village's morality as they turn away Jewish refugees. After a personal trauma upends her life, she must find the courage to forge her own path against social expectations. Director Marie-Elsa Sgualdo's feature debut explores the consequences of neutrality in the face of oppression, relevent now as much as it was then.
Summer Tour
Documentary
Few American demographics are more easily caricatured than Deadheads, those swirling, dosing, hippie-dressed vagabonds. But in his infinitely sweet and…
Few American demographics are more easily caricatured than Deadheads, those swirling, dosing, hippie-dressed vagabonds. But in his infinitely sweet and wise documentary, director Mischa Richter offers us the Deadheads as complex, self-aware, and resourceful members of a wandering commune, one that’s admirable for its kindness and care. SUMMER TOUR flows along like a Dead song, riffing and jamming along the way. The film presents a certain irresistible logic to the Deadhead way of life.
The Fisherman
Comedy
Atta Oko is a retired traditional fisherman from Ghana whose life takes a whimsical turn when he is forced into…
Atta Oko is a retired traditional fisherman from Ghana whose life takes a whimsical turn when he is forced into retirement and acquires a talking fish with a bougie attitude, leading him on an adventure to Accra. Joined by his three quirky “associates” with a dream of owning a boat, they navigate the chaos of the modern world. Filled with laughter, magic, and vibrant Ghanaian culture, this feature is sure to make you laugh, cry, or both.
The General feat. Anvil Orchestra
Comedy
Live Music
A beloved MFF tradition, Anvil Orchestra returns to the Oriental Theatre to celebrate the 100th birthday of Buster Keaton's THE…
A beloved MFF tradition, Anvil Orchestra returns to the Oriental Theatre to celebrate the 100th birthday of Buster Keaton's THE GENERAL with live orchestra accompaniment. One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this one-night-only musical screening is not to be missed.
The Six Billion Dollar Man
Documentary
Journalism has never been as dangerous as it is today, a world where the defense of truth is under attack.…
Journalism has never been as dangerous as it is today, a world where the defense of truth is under attack. The latest documentary from MFF alum Eugene Jacrecki traces the saga of Julian Assange, a contemporary icon of the right to information, whose recent release from prison has reignited the global debate on press freedom. Thanks to privileged access to Wikileaks archives and never-before-seen evidence, this documentary takes the form of a high-tech international thriller.
Adam's Apple
Documentary
Centered on the life of Adam, a transgender teen, as seen through the lens of his mother, filmmaker Amy Jenkins,…
Centered on the life of Adam, a transgender teen, as seen through the lens of his mother, filmmaker Amy Jenkins, ADAM'S APPLE chronicles two decades of adolescence, transition, and parenthood. Adam’s journey balances the milestones of gender transition with the rhythms of adolescence. Every coming-of-age milestone (first love, an emerging personality, teenage rebellion) unfolds with intimacy and grace. It’s a celebration of courage, love, allyship, and the thrill of becoming who you are meant to be.
Palestine 36
Drama
Annemarie Jacir returns to the fest with her follow up to MFF2018 selection WAJIB. In PALESTINE 36, rising numbers of…
Annemarie Jacir returns to the fest with her follow up to MFF2018 selection WAJIB. In PALESTINE 36, rising numbers of Jewish immigrants are arriving to escape persecution in Europe just as Palestinian villages are uniting in the largest and longest uprising against Britain’s 30-year colonial rule. The region is reaching a breaking point, spiraling toward an inevitable collision that will be a decisive turning point for the British Empire and the future of the land.
Black Lens Fiction Shorts: For the Dreamers
Shorts Program
Drama
This program of short fiction films created by exemplary Black filmmakers offers a look into the many emotions that encapsulate…
This program of short fiction films created by exemplary Black filmmakers offers a look into the many emotions that encapsulate the Black experience by utilizing the framework of fictional storytelling. Featuring dreamy landscapes and frantic struggles, this program oozes with depictions of yearning and what it really means to "dream."This program includes the following short films:Bailey’s Blues | Shiloh Tumo WashingtonBirdie | Praise Odigie PaigeFirecracker | Jovan BrooksJazz Infernal | Will NiavaTrife | Christian Yosef
Bouchra
Drama
Animation
Nine years removed from coming out as queer, Bouchra (who, yes, is a coyote) navigates the concrete jungle of New…
Nine years removed from coming out as queer, Bouchra (who, yes, is a coyote) navigates the concrete jungle of New York City in search of inspiration, while also navigating a long distance relationship with her mother. Using vivid 3D animation and adapted from real phone calls made by the filmmaker's families, this singular, autobiographical debut blends documentary techniques with inventive narrative play. As Morocco’s first animated feature, BOUCHRA turns personal history into bold cinematic storytelling.
Lucky Lu
Drama
Reminiscent of Vittorio De Sica's BICYCLE THIEVES, LUCKY LU trades Rome for New York City and the European post-WWII depression…
Reminiscent of Vittorio De Sica's BICYCLE THIEVES, LUCKY LU trades Rome for New York City and the European post-WWII depression for our modern gig economy. Anchored by CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON’s Chang Chen, Korean-Canadian writer-director and festival alum (MFF2024, CLOSING DYNASTY) Lloyd Lee Choi’s riveting feature debut encompasses the hardships faced by thousands of working-class immigrants by focusing on 48 nerve-wracking hours in the life of a single desperate man.
Nuisance Bear
Documentary
An expansion of the celebrated MFF2023 short of the same name, a polar bear is forced to navigate a human…
An expansion of the celebrated MFF2023 short of the same name, a polar bear is forced to navigate a human world of tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters as its ancient migration collides with modern life. When a sacred predator is branded a nuisance, it becomes unclear who truly belongs in this shared landscape. Conflict is sparked between human interests and wild nature in this winner of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize Documentary.
The Milwaukee Show I
Shorts Program
Local
Guests in Attendance
Each year THE MILWAUKEE SHOW is one of the hottest tickets of the festival—a rare chance to see work from…
Each year THE MILWAUKEE SHOW is one of the hottest tickets of the festival—a rare chance to see work from our local best and brightest in the gloriously opulent setting of our beloved Oriental Theatre's Abele Cinema. This collection of stunning shorts allows you to watch locally, yet think globally.This program includes the following short films:Frayed Flags | Khaula Kai MahmoodFred’s Basement Bijou | Michael T. VollmannLas Animas | Matt FeldmanLearning from Learning from Las Vegas | Gillian Waldo, Sam TaffelRomeo’s Burden | Adam MorrisSherman Park | Paulina Lule Bugembe-KuwaharaSometimes They Knock | Matt Binetti
The Reed Sisters: An American Story
Documentary
THE REED SISTERS: AN AMERICAN STORY traces the life and times of the legendary Reed Sisters. Spanning nearly fifty years,…
THE REED SISTERS: AN AMERICAN STORY traces the life and times of the legendary Reed Sisters. Spanning nearly fifty years, this "From the Vaults" style doc blends candid interviews with the sisters, friends, and fans, handmade dioramas, and a treasure trove of unforgettable archival footage from their iconic DIY variety show. A fun and fascinating dive into the wonders of 1970s public access TV with some surprising—sometimes unsettling—twists and turns.
Beyond the Duplex Planet
Documentary
Artist David Greenberger's projects, from his early 'zine THE DUPLEX PLANET to his recent work in spoken word shows and…
Artist David Greenberger's projects, from his early 'zine THE DUPLEX PLANET to his recent work in spoken word shows and recordings, have charted a career that honors humor, warmth, and sincerity. Long exploring notions of aging through art and community practice (including here in Milwaukee with our very own Paul Cebar), this documentary offers a metareflection on the life of an artist devoted to documenting the elderly who is himself in his senior years.
TheyDream
Documentary
Animation
After twenty years of chronicling his Puerto Rican family's life and devastating losses, MFF alum William David Caballero and his…
After twenty years of chronicling his Puerto Rican family's life and devastating losses, MFF alum William David Caballero and his mother craft animations that mirror scenes from their lives, expanding on the multiple shorts he has created about his family, through laughter and tears. Winner of the NEXT Special Jury Award for Creative Expression at Sundance Film Festival, this autobiographical documentary is proof that every act of creation is also an act of letting go.
André Is an Idiot
Documentary
André, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn't get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity,…
André, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn't get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity, send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor. This Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winning documentary is at once a hilarious portrait of an engaging character and a sobering reminder to us all about the importance of preventive medicine.
Peter Asher: Everywhere Man
Documentary
Blending documentary and musical memoir, this film tells the extraordinary life story of Peter Asher—pop star, producer, manager, and confidant…
Blending documentary and musical memoir, this film tells the extraordinary life story of Peter Asher—pop star, producer, manager, and confidant to legends from Paul McCartney to James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and more—across six decades at the heart of rock and roll history. Featuring rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and never-before-heard stories, the film offers an illuminating portrait of a man who helped shape the soundtrack of multiple generations.
Filipiñana
Drama
At a pristine resort on the outskirts of Manila, 17-year-old tee-girl Isabel tries to return a mislaid golf club to…
At a pristine resort on the outskirts of Manila, 17-year-old tee-girl Isabel tries to return a mislaid golf club to the club president, discovering sinister revelations about her workplace, its elite members, and her own past. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Jury Award for Creative Vision at Sundance this year, FILIPIÑANA is "An incisive, slow-burning satire of capitalism and powerful men with far too much hubris—basically, a story for our times." (Aisha Harris, NPR)
Hokum
Horror
When novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is consumed by…
When novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past. An homage to THE SHINING with an Irish lilt, Damien McCarthy's follow up to ODDITY cements him as a fresh new voice in the horror landscape.
Laundry
Drama
Johannesburg, 1968. Khuthala hates his father’s laundromat and doesn’t want to take over the family business, but the apartheid government…
Johannesburg, 1968. Khuthala hates his father’s laundromat and doesn’t want to take over the family business, but the apartheid government is cracking down on Black business ownership. Khuthala is torn between pursuing his own dreams of becoming a musician and fighting against the injustice that threatens the business, his only means of subsistence and the glue that holds their family together.
Paint Me A Road Out of Here
Documentary
In 1971, artist Faith Ringgold made a monumental painting for the women incarcerated at Rikers Island. Fifty years later, formerly…
In 1971, artist Faith Ringgold made a monumental painting for the women incarcerated at Rikers Island. Fifty years later, formerly incarcerated artist Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter bands together with Ringgold plus an eccentric bunch of activists, politicians, artists, and corrections officers to free the painting with the ultimate goal of freeing the women. MFF alum Catherine Gund chronicles the painting’s whitewashed journey and the two artists who challenge the same oppressive and persistent institutions, a half century apart.
Shorts: Out of this World
Shorts Program
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Enter this portal into strange worlds, haunting folklore, and uncover a sure fire way to defeat AI in this collection…
Enter this portal into strange worlds, haunting folklore, and uncover a sure fire way to defeat AI in this collection of sci-fi, fantasy, and genre shorts. Brace yourself for adrenaline-pumping stories that will leave you on the edge of your seat.This program includes the following short films:Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting | Alexander ThompsonOvergrown | Nathan GinterSpanked by a Ghost | Katelyn DouglassTaga | Jill Marie SachsTalk Me | Joecar Hanna-ZhangWe Were Here | Pranav Bhasin
The Life We Leave
Documentary
When Washington state legalized human composting as a form of interment, entrepreneur Micah Truman risks it all to build the…
When Washington state legalized human composting as a form of interment, entrepreneur Micah Truman risks it all to build the world's first large-scale terramation facility. But when the conventional deathcare industry resists, he is forced to pivot, and must learn to care for the grieving while transforming his business. Alongside two experienced funeral directors who yearn to transform deathcare, he finds that what started as an ambitious venture becomes deeply personal, reimagining human connection, ritual, and legacy.
Broken English
Documentary
Drama
BROKEN ENGLISH is a hybrid, genre-bending portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter, and icon Marianne Faithfull. Co-directors Iain Forsyth and…
BROKEN ENGLISH is a hybrid, genre-bending portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter, and icon Marianne Faithfull. Co-directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard introduce us to the Ministry of Not Forgetting, a fictitious research facility where Tilda Swinton and George MacKay delve into Marianne Faithfull’s life and career. Faithfull's dynamic presence is complemented by rich archival footage and performances by the singer herself, as well as Beth Orton, Courtney Love, Nick Cave, and Suki Waterhouse.
Flytrapper
Local
Comedy
Guests in Attendance
Crystal's life of extremely aggressive rap music, jet-skiing, and nefarious activities in the lush Northwoods is upended by a visit…
Crystal's life of extremely aggressive rap music, jet-skiing, and nefarious activities in the lush Northwoods is upended by a visit from her estranged best friend, Melonie, who is digging into the past. But even as the situation becomes increasingly unstable, she can’t help but stay as the two rekindle their friendship. Featuring a crew of MFF alums, this world premiere showcases writer/star Georgia Lee King as one to watch.
Jaripeo
Documentary
In a hypermasculine terrain, one artist takes audiences to the queer communities that embrace jaripeos, a Mexican style of rodeo.…
In a hypermasculine terrain, one artist takes audiences to the queer communities that embrace jaripeos, a Mexican style of rodeo. Through co-director Efraín Mojica's narrations, this poetic and personal debut documentary unpacks what it means to be queer in Michoacán’s jaripeo spaces, and asks what lies beneath the performance of machismo. Mojica reckons with the wounds and beauty of the homelands he has left behind, and what desire looks like against the mountainous landscape.
Obsession
Horror
Comedy
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what…
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for, but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. "A simple, well-trodden concept transforms into a shocking and unsettling descent into abject horror in Barker’s capable hands, ensuring that his latest is destined to become horror’s latest, well, obsession." (Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting)
You Had To Be There
Documentary
Comedy
The 1972 Toronto production of GODSPELL is legendary for launching many illustrious careers including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner…
The 1972 Toronto production of GODSPELL is legendary for launching many illustrious careers including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner and more, and ignited a comedy revolution. With its deft mix of engaging interviews, animated recreations, and other inventive means of compensating for the scarcity of original archival materials, YOU HAD TO BE THERE brings this special time back into the present with an irrepressible sense of joy.
Christy
Drama
Comedy
17-year-old Christy is at a crossroads. Kicked out of his suburban foster home, he moves in with his estranged older…
17-year-old Christy is at a crossroads. Kicked out of his suburban foster home, he moves in with his estranged older brother Shane. As far as Shane is concerned this is a temporary arrangement, but Christy begins to feel at home on Cork's working-class Northside. As the brothers look to reconcile their turbulent past, their family and the community around them offer hope for Christy’s future in this heartfelt and lightly humorous drama.
The Last One For the Road
Comedy
Carlobianchi and Doriano, two broke fiftysomethings with a “never skip the last drink” philosophy, meet Giulio, a shy architecture student…
Carlobianchi and Doriano, two broke fiftysomethings with a “never skip the last drink” philosophy, meet Giulio, a shy architecture student adrift in life. What starts as a chance encounter turns into a chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains. THE LAST ONE FOR THE ROAD is "a pleasant Italian gem on drinking buddies, aging and wistful flavors of life." (Tomris Laffly, Variety)
Ixonia's Mild Kingdom
Comedy
Local
Guests in Attendance
Meet self-proclaimed "wildlife expert" Merlin Porkins. The latest from BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD writer Kristofor Brown, this pilot for a new…
Meet self-proclaimed "wildlife expert" Merlin Porkins. The latest from BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD writer Kristofor Brown, this pilot for a new episodic project follows Porkins and his sidekicks as they encounter local wildlife in the small town of Ixonia, WI. Using Monty Python-esque storytelling, unforgettable characters, and a local touch, this show is truly like no other. This screening will be followed by an extended Q&A with Brown featuring career highlights and some surprises.
Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)
Drama
Comedy
MAD BILLS TO PAY (OR DESTINY DILES QUE NO SOY MALO) chronicles young Rico's summer of selling "Nuttys" on the…
MAD BILLS TO PAY (OR DESTINY DILES QUE NO SOY MALO) chronicles young Rico's summer of selling "Nuttys" on the NYC boardwalk, reckoning with becoming a parent alongside his teenage girlfriend, and ideas of what adulthood should look like. Writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas turns the Bronx into a living, breathing backdrop for a story about young love and the fragile space between boyhood and adulthood. Working with non-traditional actors, Vargas fills the screen with humor, warmth, and authenticity.
She's The He
Comedy
Before high school graduation, Ethan and Alex pose as trans women in a last ditch effort to squash gay rumors.…
Before high school graduation, Ethan and Alex pose as trans women in a last ditch effort to squash gay rumors. It's all a joke and a cringy dance of lies until Ethan (Misha Osherovich, in an Independent Spirit Award nominated performance) realizes a deeper truth: She really is trans. The two must reckon with their changing friendship, coming out, and coming-of-age in this over-the-top comedy destined to become a queer classic.
The Travel Companion
Comedy
Struggling documentarian Simon (Tristan Turner) relies on the unique perk of his roommate and best friend Bruce’s (Anthony Oberbeck) airline…
Struggling documentarian Simon (Tristan Turner) relies on the unique perk of his roommate and best friend Bruce’s (Anthony Oberbeck) airline job: free flights as his travel companion, which he indulges in frequently to shoot footage for his films. When Beatrice (Naomi Asa), a charming fellow up-and-coming filmmaker, enters their lives and starts to date Bruce, Simon fears his one advantage in the harsh world of the film industry may disappear before his eyes.
Shorts: Most Dramatic
Shorts Program
Drama
A Sundance Jury Award winner, messages from beyond the grave, and a major Hollywood callback for one partner but not…
A Sundance Jury Award winner, messages from beyond the grave, and a major Hollywood callback for one partner but not the other, are just a few of juicy dramas in this new Shorter Is Better program. It's everything you love about film festival dramas—but six for the price of one!This program includes the following short films:Albatross | Amandine ThomasCallback | Matthew PucciniCrisis Actor | Lily PlattNervous Energy | Eve LiuTake Care | Brittany AshleyThe Oracle | JJ Adler
Makin' Cake
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
MAKIN' CAKE is a story of access and privilege in America told through the histories of baking and cake. Join…
MAKIN' CAKE is a story of access and privilege in America told through the histories of baking and cake. Join multi-hyphenate artist and Milwaukeean, Dasha Kelly, as she travels the country talking to bakers, scientists, and historians, witness her nationally touring stage show of the same name, and maybe learn a few things about baking along the way. This doc is one part Food Network, one part history lesson, and 100% Dasha.
The Big Cheese
Documentary
In the high-pressure world of international cheesemongering, Adam Moskowitz aims to send the first American to claim the top prize…
In the high-pressure world of international cheesemongering, Adam Moskowitz aims to send the first American to claim the top prize at the Mondial du Fromage competition in France. While the European model for this “sommelier of cheese” profession eclipses its stateside counterpart in societal support, Moskowitz—and his alter-ego, Mr. Moo—believe scrappy American ingenuity can take the wheel. Sara Joe Wolansky’s supremely witty and entertaining directorial debut is an instant artisanal classic.
The Oldest Person in the World
Documentary
A decade-long global journey from MFF alum Sam Green (32 SOUNDS) chronicles the ever-changing record holders of the title of…
A decade-long global journey from MFF alum Sam Green (32 SOUNDS) chronicles the ever-changing record holders of the title of oldest person alive. What begins as a portrait of longevity becomes a meditation on the passage of time, the randomness of fate, and the joy and profoundly human experience of being alive.
Aanikoobijigan [ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild]
Documentary
History, spirituality, and the law collide as Michigan tribal repatriation specialists fight to return and rebury Indigenous human remains trapped…
History, spirituality, and the law collide as Michigan tribal repatriation specialists fight to return and rebury Indigenous human remains trapped in museums, offering a revealing look at the still-pervasive worldviews that justified collecting them in the first place. Featuring interviews with repatriation specialists, historians, and museum workers, this innovative documentary outlines the history of Indigenous burial ground desecrations over the last several centuries and pays tribute to the devoted work of the people bringing their Ancestors home.
Mārama
Horror
1859, North Yorkshire. When young Māori woman Mary arrives from New Zealand, she’s trapped as governess to a wealthy whaler’s…
1859, North Yorkshire. When young Māori woman Mary arrives from New Zealand, she’s trapped as governess to a wealthy whaler’s granddaughter. Living among her ancestors’ stolen artifacts, she uncovers Sir Cole’s horrific crimes. Embracing her Matakite powers, Mary becomes Mārama and must save Anne and avenge her family by destroying him. Taratoa Stappard's feature debut brings gothic vibes rivaling Robert Eggers' NOSFERATU infused with a dark history more frightening than any jump-scare.
Powwow People
Documentary
A celebration of the overlapping arts of music, dance, food, and dress packed into the cultural tradition of the powwow,…
A celebration of the overlapping arts of music, dance, food, and dress packed into the cultural tradition of the powwow, vérité-style documentary directed by MFF and UWM alum Sky Hopinka, POWWOW PEOPLE is grounded in the rhythms, relationships, and lived experience of a contemporary Native gathering. Rather than entering as outside observers, the filmmakers organized the powwow itself, inviting dancers, singers, vendors, and community members to participate in the making of this film.
School of Rock
Family
Comedy
I pledge allegiance... to the band... and to the cult classic that raised a generation of stick-it-to-the-Man cinephiles. After being…
I pledge allegiance... to the band... and to the cult classic that raised a generation of stick-it-to-the-Man cinephiles. After being kicked out of his heavy metal band, Dewey Finn maneuvers into a gig as a substitute teacher at an uptight private elementary school—only to try and turn his class into anarchist rock stars. It's time for the next generation to learn a life lesson: You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore.AGES 12+ language, discussion of alcohol, suggestive humor
Stop Making Sense
Documentary
One of our most sacred MFF traditions returns! Make sure all aisles are clear for dancing as Jonathan Demme's essential…
One of our most sacred MFF traditions returns! Make sure all aisles are clear for dancing as Jonathan Demme's essential concert documentary chronicling multiple nights of propulsive performance from the iconic Talking Heads (including magnetic frontman David Byrne and Milwaukee's own Jerry Harrison) is sure to burn down the house once again. A24's new restoration of this iconic film gains momentum like a runaway freight train, the show (and Byrne's iconic suit) only gets bigger as it rolls along.
The Milwaukee Youth Show
Shorts Program
Local
Family
Guests in Attendance
With every turn, the next generation of artists in our community are showing that they have the stuff to tell…
With every turn, the next generation of artists in our community are showing that they have the stuff to tell their stories, make people laugh, and enact change. This showcase of Milwaukee's young filmmakers proves that they are carrying the torch (with tons of talent) to bring light to our city. AGES 12+This program includes the following short films:Alive and Fine | Diego VillafuerteFacade | Sam SlowikGRAVEDIGGER | Joseph Tzougros, Anika Oakland, Zoe OaklandHold Close | Milwaukee Visionaries Project participantsNannerl’s Kügel | Lola MilanovicThe Web | Erin BrowningToo Many Anikas | Zoe OaklandWho Are You | Katie Hyde
Bright Beautiful World: The Infectious Joy of Pat McCurdy
Documentary
Local
Guests in Attendance
Over more than 50 years and 12,000 performances in Milwaukee and beyond, Pat McCurdy has cultivated a fiercely loyal fan…
Over more than 50 years and 12,000 performances in Milwaukee and beyond, Pat McCurdy has cultivated a fiercely loyal fan base and a reputation for spreading infectious joy. He may not be a household name, but to those who know him, Pat is unforgettable. BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL WORLD is an uplifting portrait of an artist who found success on his own terms—and of the deep, decades-long love affair between a musician and the fans who keep showing up.
A Sad and Beautiful World
Drama
Romance
Across three decades of passion, loss, and hope, Nino and Yasmina are bound by a magnetic relationship. Torn between love…
Across three decades of passion, loss, and hope, Nino and Yasmina are bound by a magnetic relationship. Torn between love and survival, they must decide whether to build a family and seek happiness in Lebanon, or leave their home, amid the country's unfolding tragedies. Director Cyril Aris describes that he sees "how humor and love become shields against darkness. [The film] embraces that uniquely Lebanese humor while exploring deeper themes of parenthood and legacy."
Perla
Drama
In 1981 Vienna, Perla, a dissident artist and single mother, struggles to build a stable life for her daughter Julia,…
In 1981 Vienna, Perla, a dissident artist and single mother, struggles to build a stable life for her daughter Julia, a gifted young pianist. But when Julia’s estranged father reappears after years of absence, claiming to be gravely ill, Perla is forced to make a dangerous journey back to communist Czechoslovakia. This perilous return compels her to confront a past she thought she had left behind, jeopardizing her present to protect her future.
Cinebuds LIVE: Labyrinth
Fantasy
Family
Cult
Guests in Attendance
Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee are bringing the Cinebuds BACK to celebrate the 40th anniversary of fantasy classic LABYRINTH! Check…
Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee are bringing the Cinebuds BACK to celebrate the 40th anniversary of fantasy classic LABYRINTH! Check out the beautiful 4K restoration and then enjoy a post-sceening recording of everyone's favorite movie podcast. Whether you are coming to bask in the nostalgia from your youth or are bringing the children in your life to experience the magic themselves, this is a screening that is not to be missed.
If I Go Will They Miss Me
Drama
Twelve-year-old Lil Ant struggles to connect with his father when he begins to see surreal, almost spectral visions of boys…
Twelve-year-old Lil Ant struggles to connect with his father when he begins to see surreal, almost spectral visions of boys drifting around his neighborhood. Their presence reveals a link between father and son, laying bare the threads that bind family, legacy, and place. Featuring stellar performances from Danielle Brooks, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Bodhi Dell as well as from fellow supporting characters, this film illustrates the beauty and turmoil of when myth and reality collide.
La Hija Cóndor (The Condor Daughter)
Drama
In this enthralling story of tradition, ambition, and carving your own destiny, Clara and her adoptive mother Ana are midwives…
In this enthralling story of tradition, ambition, and carving your own destiny, Clara and her adoptive mother Ana are midwives to a remote indigenous community in the Bolivian Andes. Clara dreams of becoming a singer, but remains bound to the confines of her community and duties. Tempted by outside forces, she runs off to the city in pursuit of her aspirations, unwittingly leaving a dark void in her wake.
Space Cadet
Animation
Family
Young astronaut Celeste knows that her calling is in outer space. But when she gets the invitation to finally make…
Young astronaut Celeste knows that her calling is in outer space. But when she gets the invitation to finally make her dream a reality, she realizes that she must leave her guardian robot grounded on Earth. With zero dialogue but boundless heart, SPACE CADET (beautifully stop-motion animated, and soundtracked by Karen O) takes us on a futuristic adventure through not just space but also the unspoken intricacies of human existence.AGES 6+ sequences of animated peril / danger, potentially frightening (but cute) animated aliens, depictions of memory loss and grief
What Does that Nature Say to You
Drama
Comedy
A young poet drops his girlfriend off at her parents' house and is amazed by its grandeur. He bumps into…
A young poet drops his girlfriend off at her parents' house and is amazed by its grandeur. He bumps into her father, meets her mother and sister, and they all end up spending a long day together; fueled by conversation, food, and libations. In his 33rd feature, multi-MFF alum Hong Sang-soo spins a bitterly comic fable on the trials of living simply and righteously in our world.
#WHILEBLACK
Documentary
#WHILEBLACK is a powerful documentary that centers on one of the most viral videos of our time: George Floyd’s murder,…
#WHILEBLACK is a powerful documentary that centers on one of the most viral videos of our time: George Floyd’s murder, seen 1.4 billion times in 12 days, sparking protests in over 2,000 cities worldwide. Darnella Frazier and others like Diamond Reynolds, who livestreamed Philando Castile’s killing, reveal how social platforms and corporations profit from viral Black trauma, while survivors endure lasting psychological and physical danger. A necessary meditation on modern witnessing, exposing the human cost of viral footage.
Romería
Drama
Orphaned at a young age, 18-year-old Marina must travel to Spain’s Atlantic coast to obtain a signature for a scholarship…
Orphaned at a young age, 18-year-old Marina must travel to Spain’s Atlantic coast to obtain a signature for a scholarship application from the paternal grandparents she has never met. She navigates a sea of new family members, uncertain whether she will be embraced or met with resistance. Stirring long-buried emotions, reviving tenderness, and uncovering unspoken wounds tied to the past, Marina pieces together the fragmented and often contradictory memories of the parents she barely remembers.
The Dating Game
Documentary
The aftermath of China’s one-child policy is a lopsided gender ratio. In a society with more men than women, a…
The aftermath of China’s one-child policy is a lopsided gender ratio. In a society with more men than women, a male loneliness epidemic looms as men struggle to find wives in a cutthroat dating market. Men hire dating coaches who, through their parroting of patriarchal cliches, may just be making things a lot worse. THE DATING GAME is an entertaining, at times absurd, yet always heartfelt story about love and gender roles in modern China.
The Milwaukee Show II
Shorts Program
Local
Guests in Attendance
The shorts program is so nice, we have to do it twice! THE MILWAUKEE SHOW II brings you EVEN MORE…
The shorts program is so nice, we have to do it twice! THE MILWAUKEE SHOW II brings you EVEN MORE fantastic films courtesy of our thriving local artistic community. There's simply too much quality to be contained by a single screening, so settle in for another collection of shorts with a diversity of styles and perspectives.This program includes the following short films:Aroma-Vision | Shun Powell甜腻腻 Thick & Sweet | Yinan WangFloodgates | Eric EngelbartIn Shelter of Birds | Lajwanti Pershad WaghrayNever Lost (결코 잃지 않았다) | Li Chiao-PingPlaceholder | Jesse McLeanWhere It Started | Vianca Fuster
The Milwaukee Music Video Show
Shorts Program
Local
Guests in Attendance
Back for 2026, our showcase of locally-made music videos runs the gamut of musical genres while also showcasing the exquisite…
Back for 2026, our showcase of locally-made music videos runs the gamut of musical genres while also showcasing the exquisite diversity allowed within the music video format, a series of short, sonic bursts of creative excitement. Artists include Fuzzysurf, Jondo Jordan, Creature Weather, Caley Conway, and more.This program includes the following music videos:Autumn Maria Reed - “Little Heart Warrior” Alex BoyesCaley Conway - “Singing Never” | Josh EvertCreature Weather - “Phantom Face” | Nels LindquistFuzzysurf - “Don’t Go Overboard” | Tommy SimmsHealth Club - “Banjo Song” | Ryan Nels PontilloHughes Family Band - “I Don’t Mind” | Ryan Thomas ReeveJondo Jordan - “Delusions” | Jonathan TurnerMie - “Freakshow” | MieMol Sullivan - “Dog” | Mol SullivanNoah David Eckstein - “Cladosporium Coke Dial” | Noah David Ecksteinoak you - “pangea pt. 3 (hibernation)” | Cole QuammeSeances - “Forgiveness” | Eric ArsnowSex Scenes - “Want & Need / Nothing” | Victor Buell, Harrison ColbyThe Taxmen - “Without You” | Peter BorowskiTraore - “Africa Enough is Enough” | English Absolute, Tate Bunker
Vainilla (Vanilla)
Drama
Comedy
Weaving in and out of rooms, one family of seven bold women find their own way out of the looming…
Weaving in and out of rooms, one family of seven bold women find their own way out of the looming inevitability of home foreclosure. Through the lens of 8-year-old Roberta, we see their relationship in the most dynamic and intimate of ways. Set in 1980s Mexico, this directorial debut explores the complexities of multi-generational relationships in a household with diverse feminine influences.
Power Ballad
Comedy
Drama
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two…
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. From writer-director John Carney (SING STREET, ONCE), POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.Lionsgate presents, in association with 30WEST + Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, a Likely Story / Distressed Films production, in association with Treasure Entertainment.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
DCP
Comedy
Drama
Miranda Priestly navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing. She faces off against Emily Charlton, her one-time…
Miranda Priestly navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing. She faces off against Emily Charlton, her one-time assistant, now a high-powered executive for a luxury group, with advertising dollars that Priestly desperately needs.
Steal This Story, Please!
Documentary
Guests In Attendance
DCP
With shrinking newsrooms, media monopolization, weaponized social media, and a president deliberately eroding public trust in truth and reality, STEAL…
With shrinking newsrooms, media monopolization, weaponized social media, and a president deliberately eroding public trust in truth and reality, STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! offers an intimate counterpoint, showing how independent media is essential to a functioning democracy. Set against some of the most consequential stories of our time—from the war in Gaza to the global climate catastrophe—the film follows the intrepid independent journalist Amy Goodman over 30 years. As she becomes a leader in the movement for independent media that amplifies voices excluded from the mainstream, she faces off against forces trying to silence her.Opens May 8, 2026. Screening times to be announced. Join us on May 10, as Amy Goodman and Academy Award-Nominated directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin will be in attendance at the screening for a Q&A following the film.
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