FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Milwaukee Film
Emily Foster, Communications & Press Manager
emily@mkefilm.org, 414-755-1965 x216
Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition
Janan Najeeb, President
jnajeeb@mmwconline.org, (o) 414-727-4900; (c) 414-759-7761
Fifth Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival Reveals Film Line-Up
Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition establishes new partnership with Milwaukee Film, bringing the country’s leading Muslim film festival to the Oriental Theatre
MILWAUKEE - Thursday, April 4, 2019 - Milwaukee Film and the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition have partnered to produce the fifth Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, one of the country’s leading Muslim film festivals. The annual event will take place April 25 - 28, with all screenings moving to the Oriental Theatre. Founded in 2015 by the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, the festival aims to create meaningful and relevant community dialogue surrounding Islam and the Muslim experience.
Janan Najeeb, president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and founder of the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, expressed excitement at the new collaboration. “We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the best film festivals in the country and showing our films in the beautiful Oriental Theatre. We see this as the next phase in the evolution of the MMFF and are excited to bring this unique festival to Milwaukee Film members and the city at large. As one of very few Muslim film festivals in the country, this simply confirms Milwaukee as a city that embraces art and diversity.”
The acclaimed documentary Same God opens the festival at 7 p.m. on April 25. The film follows Dr. Larycia Hawkins, then a professor at a Christian university, and the firestorm that ensued following her social media post stating that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.The subject and the director of the film are scheduled to be in attendance.
The line-up also includes:
-
This Is Home, a poignant film directed by Alexandra Shiva (How To Dance in Ohio, MFF2015) documenting the lives of newly relocated refugee families in Baltimore
-
Midnight Traveler, depicting an outspoken filmmaker and his family fleeing their home after being targeted by the Taliban
-
Wajd: Songs of Separation, following three musicians who find hope in music while facing uncertain futures.
In addition to seven film presentations, the festival will feature talkbacks after every screening, filmmaker Q&As, and panel discussions.
For complete film and event information, or to purchase tickets, visit orientaltheatremke.com. Film tickets cost $11 for general admission and $9 for Milwaukee Film Members.
EVENT INFORMATION
All Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival screenings will be held at Milwaukee’s historic Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
Same God
Thursday, April 25 | 7 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund and Black Lens
Community Sponsors: WISDOM, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, YWCA
Midnight Traveler
Friday, April 26 | 7 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund
This Is Home
Saturday, April 27 | 12:30 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund
Ghost Hunting
Saturday, April 27 | 4 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund
Life Without Basketball
Saturday, April 27 | 7 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund and Black Lens
Soufra
Sunday, April 28 | 12:30 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund
Wajd: Songs of Separation
Sunday, April 28 | 7 p.m.
Presented by Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Mary Nohl Fund
Both hi-res and web-friendly film stills can be downloaded here: bit.ly/2UhwU4g
###
About Milwaukee Film
Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences, with a vision to make Milwaukee a center for film culture. Milwaukee Film operates the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace committed to high-quality and accessible film and education programming. The 11th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will take place Oct. 17-31, 2019. For more information or to become a member, visit mkefilm.org.
Facebook: facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm | Twitter: @mkefilm | Instagram: @mkefilm
About the Milwaukee Film Board of Directors
Milwaukee Film’s independent board is made up of the following members: Chris Abele (Past Board Chair); John P. Bania; Donna Baumgartner; Elizabeth Brenner; Héctor Colón; Karen Ellenbecker; Jeff Fitzsimmons; Alexander P. Fraser (Immediate Past Board Chair); Carmen Haberman; Susan Haise; Katie Heil; Patti Keating Kahn (Board Chair); Tracey L. Klein (Past Board Chair); Michael G. Klein; Michael J. Koss Jr.; Alexander Lasry; Steve Laughlin (Past Board Chair); Emilia Layden; Michael R. Lovell; Joan Lubar; Marianne Lubar; Steve Mech; Mark Mone; Susan Mikulay; Kenneth W. Muth; Bob Pothier; John Ridley; Joseph A. Rock; Ramona Rogers-Windsor; Lacey Sadoff; Dave Stamm; Julia Taylor; John Utz; Kimberly Walker; Emeritus members: Tom Barrett; Jacqueline Strayer
About the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition
The MMWC is a nonprofit organization lead by a board of professional women, the MMWC aims to help our local and national community gain a more accurate understanding of Islam and Muslims as well as create forums and opportunities for greater dialogue. The MMWC is a strong advocate for women and girls and works in collaboration with a large number of individuals and organizations that strive for civil rights, justice, harmony, peace and understanding. The MMWC runs the Islamic Resource Center which hosts Wisconsin’s first Islamic public lending library. The extensive programming includes author talks, book clubs, networking brunches, art exhibitions and much more. The MMWC publishes the Wisconsin Muslim Journal in addition to running the film festival.
Facebook: @mkemwc | Twitter: @mkemwc | Instagram: @mkemwc
Posted by: Tom Fuchs