Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 81 Sponsors for 2014

MILWAUKEE – Tuesday, July 29, 2014 – Milwaukee Film is honored to have outstanding support for the 6^th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee Film has secured returning support from numerous organizations and individuals, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which continues for the sixth consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor for the Festival.

This year has brought increased continuing support from past sponsors as well as new major support from Associated Bank and Mary and Ted Kellner, who join as first-time sponsors.

John Utz, Executive Vice President for Associated Bank, shares his excitement: “As the largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin, we take pride in supporting cultural events like the Milwaukee Film Festival. Being a major sponsor of such a unique event provides an opportunity for us to help support the arts and stimulate the growth and well-being of our communities and the businesses we serve.” Utz, who has greatly contributed to the Bank’s growth since relocating from Los Angeles, CA in 2010, joins Milwaukee Film this year as a new board member.

Presenting the Festival’s Rated K: For Kids children and family films program are first-time supporters Ted and Mary Kellner. Ted Kellner is the Executive Chairman and CEO of Fiduciary Management Inc., founding partner of Fiduciary Real Estate Development, Inc., and serves on the board of numerous organizations both local and statewide. His wife, Mary Kellner, is a philanthropist and dedicated volunteer for several community organizations.

“We truly believe in Milwaukee and are committed to helping this city be all that it can be. Milwaukee Film shares that same vision. In a very short time, the Milwaukee Film Festival has become one of the most dynamic events in Milwaukee, encouraging and expanding art for both adults and children. We are thrilled to present the Rated K: For Kids program and look forward to a fruitful partnership with Milwaukee Film,” explains Ted Kellner.

Additionally, former Milwaukee Brewer John Axford returns again with a $25,000 cash contribution. A current pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, Axford continues his support for the third consecutive year, despite having left Milwaukee in 2013.

The Festival’s Education Screenings received increased support from all of its past funders, including Brewers Community Foundation, Inc. as Presenting Sponsor, the Herzfeld Foundation and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation – William and Alicia Schoeneich Arts and Culture Fund and the Gertrude Ann Meixner Fund, as well as first-time support from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation.

The Education Screenings program brings 1st through 12th grade students from all over the Milwaukee area to view grade-appropriate, high-quality films during the Festival. Further, it provides education curriculum in-line with core state teaching standards, which educators use to tie the screenings back into the classroom. Last year, over 6,700 children attended the weekday screenings, an increase in attendance of 21% over that same program in 2012.

Returning this year with a large increase in cash support is Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Having tripled their support from last year, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is the Box Office Presenting Sponsor for 2014.

“We are beyond grateful to welcome back 63 of our past sponsors and introduce 18 new supporters to our festival. This generous financial support enables us to expand our efforts and ensure that an extraordinary showcase of cinema, education, music and conversation thrive in Milwaukee. It will be an incredible year for the Milwaukee Film Festival thanks to the tremendous support from our community,” enthuses Jonathan Jackson, Artistic and Executive Director for Milwaukee Film.

 

A complete list of sponsors for the 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival is below.

 

PRESENTING SPONSOR ($200,000+)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

LUMINARY SPONSORS ($100,000+)

Donald and Donna Baumgartner

Herzfeld Foundation

Marianne & Sheldon Lubar

Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig

 

LEADING SPONSORS ($50,000+)

BVK

Milwaukee Magazine, Official Magazine

WMSE 91.7FM

 

VISIONARY SPONSORS ($50,000+)

Argosy Foundation

The Heil Family Foundation

Christine Symchych and Jim McNulty

The David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation

 

PRODUCING SPONSORS ($30,000+)

88Nine Radio Milwaukee

Anonymous

Associated Bank

Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.

Colectivo Coffee

Independent

Lowlands Group Grand Cafes

Mandel Group

OnMilwaukee.com

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Box Office Presenting Sponsor

Simple DCP, Official Digital Cinema Sponsor

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS ($20,000+)

About Face Media

Art City

John Axford

The Bartolotta Restaurants

BelAir Cantina

The Brico Fund

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

William and Alicia Schoeneich Arts and Culture Fund and the Gertrude Ann Meixner Fund

Mary and Ted Kellner

Mary Ann and Charles LaBahn

Metroparent

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Official Law Firm

Milwaukee Business Journal

Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Official Hotel

Milwaukee Record

Neroli Salon & Spa

Nicholas Family Foundation

North American Camera

The Pabst Theater

Shepherd Express

Stamm Technologies

Tap Milwaukee

 

PROVIDING SPONSORS ($10,000+)

Beans & Barley

Fox Bay Cinema Grill

Helen Bader Foundation, Inc.

The Hotel Foster

Laughlin Constable

Lone Shoe Graphics

Milwaukee Pulse

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

The Railway Exchange Building

RDI Stages

Times Cinema

UWM Peck School of the Arts

 

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS ($5,000+)

The Bay Restaurant

Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee

House of Harley-Davidson

Johnson Controls

Latino Arts, Inc.

Quantum LS

Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust

Wisconsin Gazette

 

SUSTAINING SPONSORS ($2,500+)

800-CEO-READ

Baird

Cream City Foundation

Grace & Shelly’s Cupcakes

HUSCO International

Jim Phillips, LLC

Kat Schleicher Photography

KPMG

The Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Ralph Evinrude Foundation, Inc.

SURG Restaurant Group

Third Ward Records

United Way of Greater Milwaukee

von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee

WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio 89.7 FM

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.