Milwaukee Film February Programming Features Afrofuturism Film Series, Return of National Theatre Live, and More!

February programming also includes a powerful documentary that screened at the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival, and the continuation of ‘In Memoriam’ series.

Overview

MILWAUKEE – Thursday, January 22nd – February at the Oriental Theatre features a wide array of programming, from Afrofuturism: Fates Beyond Fiction, a series curated by Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens program, to the return of National Theatre Live. Milwaukee Film’s previously announced In Memoriam series continues into February with the additions of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and BlacKkKlansman, and Natchez, a fan-favorite film from the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival (DDF25), returns for two encore screenings.

The Afrofuturism: Fates Beyond Fiction Series – Begins February 7, 2026

This February, in honor of Black History Month, Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens program brings a new series to the historic Oriental Theatre: Afrofuturism: Fates Beyond Fiction. This series asks us to look to the future, to use Afrofuturist film (and iconic characters) to explore possible futures, and to see representation of the imagined possible as a tool for enacting change, hope, and liberation.

Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens programmer Ty Williams expressed, “For this year’s Black History Month programming, we wanted to focus on Afrofuturism—an art movement that utilizes fictional narrative storytelling to discuss and challenge different ideas and social struggles that African Americans face in reality.” He continued, “Afrofuturism posits that to simply imagine a better future is to be radical, and we’ve put together a collection of films for Black History Month that embody this radical philosophy.”

Full Lineup for Milwaukee Film’s Afrofuturism: Fates Beyond Fiction Series:

• AFROFUTURISM DOUBLE FEATURE – 2/7 at 7 PM
• SORRY TO BOTHER YOU – 2/12 at 7:30 PM
• SPACE IS THE PLACE – 2/14 at 7 PM
• NOPE – 2/19 at 7 PM
• BLADE – 2/21 at 7 PM

From Sun-Ra coming down on a spaceship to liberate his people, to Wesley Snipes’ iconic role as one of the most notable vampire hunters in fiction, Milwaukee Film’s Afrofuturistic Black History Month programming will inspire change, growth, and understanding simply because these representations are radical enough to exist.

The In Memoriam Series – Continues Through February, 2026

Milwaukee Film’s previously announced In Memoriam series continues into February with the additions of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and BlacKkKlansman.

February Lineup for Milwaukee Film’s Continued In Memoriam Series:

• KRAMER VS KRAMER (In Memoriam: Robert Benton & Stanley Jaffe) – 2/3
• ORDINARY PEOPLE (In Memoriam: Robert Redford) – 2/4
• MAJOR LEAGUE (In Memoriam: Bob Uecker) – 2/6
• This screening will feature brief remarks from production designer (and current Milwaukee Film member) Jeffrey Howard on working on this film.
• BACURAU (In Memoriam: Udo Kier) – 2/8
• This screening will be preceded by the 2022 short film STAGING DEATH, which stars Udo Kier.
• THIS IS SPINAL TAP (In Memoriam: Rob Reiner) – 2/10
• KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (In Memoriam: Michael Madsen) – 2/13
• COOL HAND LUKE (In Memoriam: Lalo Schifrin) – 2/17
• THE ELEPHANT MAN (In Memoriam: David Lynch) – 2/18
• TOP SECRET (In Memoriam: Val Kilmer) – 2/22
• BRAZIL – Directors Cut (In Memoriam: Tom Stoppard) – 2/24
• BLACKKKLANSMAN (In Memoriam: Isiah Whitlock) – 2/26

Natchez – Screens February 14 and 15, 2026

The powerful documentary Natchez, which previously screened at Milwaukee Film’s 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival, returns to the Oriental Theatre for two encore screenings on February 14th and 15th at 1 PM.

Milwaukee Film’s Programming Director Cara Ogburn enthused, “It’s exciting to bring back this Dialogues favorite!” She continued, “Natchez closed out last year’s Dialogues Documentary Festival at the Downer Theatre with director Suzannah Herbert and producer Darcy McKinnon in attendance. They found the Milwaukee audience to be one of the best on the festival circuit, and are excited for this film to return to Milwaukee for its theatrical run.”

Natchez captures an unsettling clash between history and memory in a small Mississippi town; a layered mosaic of people contending with the weight of the past in a place where it is always present. Equal parts amusing and disturbing, we journey through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history that is so thoroughly ingrained in its present, we’re left to wonder if it’s actually past at all.

National Theatre Live – Returns for New Season

Back by popular demand: Milwaukee Film is thrilled to announce a new season of National Theatre Live performances screening at the Oriental Theatre through the end of March. For over 15 years, National Theatre Live has given audiences the best seat in the house, making unmissable theatre experiences from Britain’s most exciting stages accessible for audiences around the globe. This series is made possible thanks to our Community Partners: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Skylight Music Theatre.

Full Line-up of National Theatre Live Films:

• A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE – 1/24 and 1/25
• INTER ALIA – 2/7 and 2/8
• MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION – 2/21 and 2/22
• LIFE OF PI – 3/7 and 3/8
• THE FIFTH STEP – 3/21 and 3/22

“We are so excited to bring the National Theatre Live series back to our cinemas for our audience,” said Kerstin Larson, programming director at Milwaukee Film. “Celebrating these internationally significant performances on our screens right here in Milwaukee is such a privilege,” she concluded.

All Tickets and showtimes can be found online at mkefilm.org/comingsoon.

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 is committed to high-quality and accessible film programming through their operation of the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace, and the iconic Downer Theatre, Milwaukee’s oldest running cinema. The second Dialogues Documentary Festival presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel took place September 18-21, 2025. The 18th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will take place April 16-30, 2026. For more information or to become a Member, visit mkefilm.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.