Jonathan Jackson

Milwaukee Film Will Take Over Downer Theatre

Will reopen theater for April film festival and then resume its year-round operation.

Milwaukee Film Faces Problems

Huge shortfall in funding, departure of chief executive, point to challenges for group.

Jonathan Jackson Leaves Milwaukee Film After 16 Years

Anne Reed selected to serve as Interim CEO

Will Milwaukee Film Take Over The Downer?

Oriental Theatre leader confirms interest in rescuing recently-shuttered theater.

Oriental Theatre placed on National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff February 14, 2023

Oriental Theatre Hosting World Premiere Friday Night

Small Town Wisconsin makes its big-screen debut in Milwaukee before going nationwide.

East Side BID Announces New Executive Director

Milwaukee Film’s Oriental Theatre to Reopen Friday, Aug. 20

Non-profit cultural institution thrilled to welcome moviegoers back to their beloved movie palace.

Milwaukee Film Hires Alida Harper Trocke to New Culture & Talent Director Role

Local nonprofit film organization brings new HR director on board as culture leader.

Blanks, Milwaukee Film Building Second Major Festival

The Cultures & Communities Festival focuses on people of color, seeks a national audience.

Milwaukee Film Festival Returns Thursday

15 days, 202 films, and no need to leave your couch.

2021 Milwaukee Film Festival Moved To May

Organization says move will benefit audiences and create a better fit with film industry.

Oriental Theatre Closed for Summer, Plans Renovations

Milwaukee Film continuing plan to fully restore 1927 movie palace.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Raised $109,000

Through the Donald & Donna Baumgartner and The Elizabeth Quadracci Harned Family Matching Gift Double-Down for Artists Challenge

Milwaukee Film Launches Digital Theater “Sofa Cinema”

Watch movies and support Milwaukee Film from the comfort of your couch.

Milwaukee Film Expands Festival Footprint

Cedarburg and the Third Ward Neighborhoods Added. Rivoli Theatre and Broadway Theatre Center Join as New Film Venues

2019 Milwaukee Film Festival Ticket Packages and Passes on Sale This Week

Through Aug. 1, Festival passes, 6-packs and new 10-packs boast the biggest discount of the season, with Milwaukee Film Members earning an additional discount as part of their benefits.

Historic Pipe Organ at Milwaukee Film’s Oriental Theatre to Bring Back Some Movie Magic

Milwaukee Film has secured a 1925 Wurlitzer, which is currently being prepared for future installation

Milwaukee Film Launches Next Phase of Restoration at Historic Oriental Theatre

All phase-two projects are scheduled to be complete before the 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival.

Thurston Moore To Perform Live Musical Score to James Nares’ Street at the Oriental Theatre

Sonic Youth founding member will perform soundtrack live to the experimental film in conjunction with Nares exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers Celebrates Silent Era Trailblazers

Local musicians to perform contemporary, newly composed scores at two-day event

Milwaukee Film Achieves $10 Million Fundraising Goal

While the campaign enjoyed support from over 900 contributors, several highly committed philanthropists supported the campaign through generous lead donations.

2019 Milwaukee Film Festival Dates Announced

Film submissions for the annual event are now being accepted

5 Citizens To Give Sincere Thanks

Our Thanksgiving class of 2018, five Milwaukeeans who've made this a better city.

Milwaukee Film Announces Take A Seat Campaign

Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig launch a $1.5 million challenge match

Milwaukee Film CEO Jackson goes ‘On the Issues’ at Marquette Law School

Now in its 11th year, the Milwaukee Film Festival has become one of the 10 largest film festivals in the country.

Milwaukee Film Makes Tremendous Strides In Gender Representation at Film Festival

47.05% of feature films at the festival are directed by women; a 19% increase in a single year. A total of 142 films at this year’s festival are directed by women

Over $800,000 in New and Increased Sponsorship Raised for 10th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and The Yabuki Family Foundation join 31 new sponsors. This is the largest increase in cash and in-kind support in the organization’s history.

Big Stars, Oscar Winners, and Locals Enter the Spotlight at 10th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival

Sundance & SXSW Festival Favorite, directed by Milwaukee native, selected for Opening Night. Filmmakers are scheduled to attend Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night films

RZA: Live From the 36th Chamber

Milwaukee Film members can purchase tickets for $36 beginning Wednesday, July 18 at 9AM

Milwaukee Film Hires Sara Meaney to New Chief Marketing Officer Role

Organization appoints four new board members, including chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mark Mone, and president of Marquette University, Michael Lovell

Milwaukee Film Celebrates 10th Anniversary; Announces 2018 Festival Dates

Festival organizers hope the later dates will expand programming opportunities.

Milwaukee’s Film Industry is Bigger Than Beer

Film industry grew by 10% (2010-2015); double the rate of local economy

Presenting the Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance

Former DreamWorks SKG executive hired as director of new organization created to cultivate, connect, and catalyze Milwaukee area film industry

The Magic of the Oriental Theatre

It changed my life. Now I hope it can change the city’s cultural life.

Milwaukee Film Announces Dramatic Expansion, Leases Oriental Theatre for 31 Years

Secures Largest Gift In Its History: $2,000,000 from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele

2017 Milwaukee Film Festival Call for Entries Now Open

Festival Offers to Pay for All Work Screened; Free Entry for All Films; $34,500 in Cash Prizes Promised

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Expected Festival Guests

Headliners include Academy Award-winner John Ridley, Emmy Award-winner Sam Pollard, The Blind Side actor Quinton Aaron, Silicon Valley actor Martin Starr, and Arrested Development actor Mae Whitman

Disney’s Queen of Katwe and Academy Award-Winners Highlight Spotlight Presentations

Festival opens with Life, Animated from Academy Award-winner Roger Ross Williams. Milwaukee 53206: A Community Serves Time returns to Milwaukee after sold-out June premiere

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces John Ridley to Join Board of Directors

Academy Award-winner and Mequon native will be this year’s keynote speaker

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Cream City Cinema Program Lineup

58 locally-made films to be presented; $12,500 to be awarded in juried prizes

New Film Series Explores Latino Culture

Milwaukee Film’s new series, Cine Sin Fronteras, will capture Latino community’s diversity.

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Reveals Cine Sin Fronteras Program Lineup

Showcasing the rich and vibrant Latinx diaspora through cinema

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Launches Sportsball! and United States of Cinema Programs

Programs include feature-length sports documentaries and American independent fiction films

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Reveals Second List of Official Selections

Lineup includes Beware the Slenderman and a new sports documentary program

Milwaukee Film Announces Addition of Mark Sabljak to Festival Staff

Former Milwaukee Business Journal publisher and market president joins team for 2016 film festival

Milwaukee Film Announces Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Grant

Festival Among 16 FilmWatch Grant Recipients; Received $10,000 in Cash for Black Lens Program

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Call for Entries Now Open

Festival Offers to Pay for All Work Screened; Free Entry for All Films; $27,000 in Cash Prizes Promised

Announcing 2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Dates: September 22 – October 6

Donald and Donna Baumgartner renew support with organization’s largest gift to date

Puppies & Kittens! Milwaukee Film Festival Unveils 2015 Sponsor Trailer

Sponsor Trailer a collaboration with Wisconsin Humane Society

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Over 100 Expected Guests

Headliners include actors Raven-Symoné and John Ashton; documentary subjects April Carrión and Moziah Bridges; award-winning directors Chad Gracia and Stanley Nelson

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Full 2015 Lineup

Festival to open with Youth; Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino’s new film stars Michael Caine & Harvey Keitel. Award-winning films plentiful in Documentary Festival Favorites and Worldviews programs

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Competition Films

Eight Feature Films Competing for $10,000 Cash Prize - South Milwaukee Native Chad Gracia’s The Russian Woodpecker Included

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Cream City Cinema Lineup

The Milwaukee Music Video Show debuts as new program

Pick up your 2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Program at WMSE’s Backyard BBQ

Film fans and their friends will enjoy an incredible lineup of music.

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Sound Vision Program

Music film program returns with scheduled appearance by legendary DJ Marco Collins. Koss joins as new sponsor, presenting the program and donating headphones

New $126,000 Granting Program for Local Filmmakers Launched

Brico Forward Fund applications open for projects in development and production

2014 Milwaukee Film Festival Call For Entries Now Open

Free Entry for All Films; Deadline is June 23

The House of Hank the Dog

The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.

Milwaukee Film Announces 2014 Festival Dates, New Programming Hire

Sixth Annual Milwaukee Film Festival runs September 25-October 9

Jonathan Jackson’s Very Urban Condo

The Milwaukee Film Festival leader lives in a converted, 1890 cream city building with a long history.

Envisioning the Seen, March 11

Historic Milwaukee, Inc. (HMI) and the Pabst Theater Foundation have partnered to create an entirely unique conversation series titled Envisioning the Seen. On Monday March 11, twelve dynamic, inspiring Milwaukeeans will gather on stage at the historic Pabst Theater to share their visions for the future of our built environment.