Katie Heil

Lights, Camera, Tax Breaks

Bipartisan bill would revive state tax incentives for film, TV productions shot in Wisconsin.

Full Schedule Released and Tickets On-Sale for the 2023 MKE Black Theatre Festival, August 9-27

A 3-week-long festival featuring free events across the city designed to support Black creatives and two full-production ticketed plays: MUD ROW and THE MEETING

Imagine MKE Launches Search for Executive Director

New leader will spearhead organization’s strategic framework and plan of work

City of Milwaukee Arts Board announces 2020 Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year and Friends of the Arts Awards

Coronavirus Artist Relief Drive Launched

ImagineMKE seeks to raise $50,000, provide grants of up-to $500 for artists.

Film Fans Turn Out in Record Numbers for 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival

Audience award winners include documentaries on Toni Morrison, Molly Ivins

Milwaukee Film Doubles Cash Support for Brico Forward Fund Winners

Global filmmakers and local champions recognized at annual Filmmaker Awards Brunch

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.

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 Announce Guests at 10th Annual Festival

Oscar winner John Ridley and Emmy winning actress Felicity Huffman to appear on panel in partnership with Nō Studios; Netflix star DeWanda Wise, rapper Speech, and 100+ guests attending the festival

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.

Cream City Cinema Showcases Region’s Diverse Filmmaking Talent

HBO presents new Cream City Cinema Emerging Voices Award to accelerate a local filmmaker’s career

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

Cine Sin Fronteras Line-Up Marked by Themes of History and Celebration

Birds of Passage, Colombia’s Foreign Language Oscar selection, to be featured

Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance and Northwestern Mutual Partner to Spotlight Growing Industries

Northwestern Mutual will be investing in the local area filmmaking economy by tapping members of the MFA to develop videos that highlight the Milwaukee area’s growing and vibrant tech industry.

10th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival Boasts Three New Program Categories

Six films are slated to make their world premieres at the festival this fall

Milwaukee Motorcycle Film Festival Welcomes Harley-Davidson Motor Co™

Milwaukee Film celebrates the Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary through film

Oriental Theatre to Host World Premiere of Definitive Betty White Documentary

Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, coming soon

2018 Brico Forward Fund Application Now Open

The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on Sunday, September 9, 2018 and winners will be announced during the 2018 Milwaukee Film Festival.

RZA: Live From the 36th Chamber

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

The Arts and Culture Building Boom

Symphony, Ballet, Discovery World and Art Museum expansions transforming the city.

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

2018 Milwaukee Film Festival Opens Call For Entries

Free Entry for All Films; Festival Offers To Pay for Work That Is Screened

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

How a Great Documentary Was Made

Milwaukee Film Fest favorite explores the shooting of Dontre Hamilton. How was it made?

Record-breaking Milwaukee Film Festival Attendance; 9% Increase to 84,702

The Blood is at the Doorstep wins Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award

Over $140,000 in Cash and Production Services Awarded at Milwaukee Film Festival

$87,000 in cash and over $60,000 in production services awarded

Milwaukee Film Receives Continued and Increased Support From Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor, Associated Bank, expands partnership through Milwaukee Film Checking 30 new sponsors provide increase of $301,000 in cash & in-kind support

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

Laughter, Inspiration, & Cocktails: Milwaukee Film Reveals Spotlight Presentations

Director and subjects set to attend inspiring Opening Night film STUMPED. U.S. Premiere scheduled for documentary celebrating creative cocktails, Schumann’s Bar Talks.

Milwaukee Film Announces Full Lineup of Cream City Cinema Program

Popular annual program supports local filmmakers with $12,500 in cash prizes to be awarded. WebsterX, The Fatty Acids, and IshDARR music videos to be a part of shorts showcase

Milwaukee Film Announces Return of Cine Sin Fronteras Program

Latinx diaspora program expanded after successful inaugural year

Milwaukee Film Announces Full Black Lens Program Lineup

John Ridley returns with new documentary Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992. Program expands with total of 8 feature films and 2 shorts programs

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 Ballet Announces Three Finalists of Genesis: International Choreographic Competition

Artists from Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States will compete for top prize

Guerrilla Girls at MIAD Creativity Series

They have performed on nearly every continent, exposing gender and racial bias and corruption.

Milwaukee Ballet Opens Season with a Pair of Majestic One-Act Ballets

Stunning Scheherazade appears alongside picturesque Angels in the Architecture, Oct 20-23

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

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Box Office Opens on Thursday

Today is last day to buy discounted festival passes and ticket 6-Packs. New Age Narcissism headlines Opening Night Party

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

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 Announces Black Lens Program Lineup

Showcases fiction and documentary films from emerging and established African-American directors

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

2016 Milwaukee Film Festival Reveals First List of Official Selections

Milwaukee Film announces new Latinx diaspora program and film festival venues

Milwaukee Film Announces World Premiere Screening of Milwaukee 53206

Film explores the lives of those affected by mass incarceration in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2016 Campaign Art & Early Ticket Sales

Up to 40% off Festival Passes and ticket 6-Packs

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

Milwaukee Ballet Offers Modern View on Dance Through Kaleidoscope Eyes

Contemporary presentation features the music of The Beatles and two world premieres

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

Milwaukee Ballet Tempts Audiences with New Dance Drama, Dorian Gray

Michael Pink adds to master storyteller legacy with premiere of famous cautionary tale

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Attracts 70,885 Attendees for a 10% Increase Over 2014

The Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award for feature film goes to Romeo is Bleeding

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

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Box Office Now Open

Opening Night Party melds film and community with audience, donors and sponsors

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2015 Panels


Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael Phillips, to deliver Keynote Address;
 Panels on Policing and Education highlight the imperative and topical nature of festival documentaries

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

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Shorter Is Better Lineup

Presenting nearly 60 of the best festival-circuit short films and the return of the Shorter Is Better juried award

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Passport: Sweden Program

Passport: Sweden proves that cold weather produces cool art

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Cinema Hooligante Films

Highlighted by 35 mm Anniversary Screenings of Jaws & The Shining

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Return of Film Feast Program

Film Feast celebrates Milwaukee’s proud food culture with eight food-related films

2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Rated K: For Kids

All-ages program features live action, animation and 20th Anniversary of Babe: The Gallant Pig

2015 MFF Reveals Return of African-American-Focused Black Lens Program

Showcasing fiction and documentary films from emerging and established directors in the black community. The Johnson Controls Foundation provides new financial support.

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