Milwaukee Film Receives Continued and Increased Support From Sponsors

MILWAUKEE – Thursday, August 31, 2017 – Milwaukee Film is thrilled to share the continued and increased support from sponsors, including the expanded partnership with Presenting Sponsor Associated Bank through the recently launched Milwaukee Film Checking. Thirty new sponsors provided $301,000 in additional cash & in-kind support – joining 106 returning sponsors who provided over $170,000 in increased cash support alone.

Presenting sponsor and the Bank of Milwaukee Film Festival, Associated Bank’s partnership with Milwaukee Film is expanding with a new checking program that gives back. With every Milwaukee Film Checking account and debit card transaction, five cents is donated to nonprofit Milwaukee Film[1].

“Associated Bank is proud to enhance our support of Milwaukee Film’s mission to provide entertainment, education and cinematic experiences throughout the year,” states Christopher Piotrowski, executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Together, we make a difference in our diverse community through the power of film.”

Piotrowski explains that Milwaukee Film Checking gives movie fans the opportunity to give back and enjoy additional red carpet benefits including cinema-themed checks and debit card, discounts on Milwaukee Film memberships[2] and two complimentary film festival vouchers[3].

“Our sponsor lineup is an all-star list of the organizations and individuals that make this city great,” states Milwaukee Film’s Corporate & Community Engagement Director, Mark Sabljak. “As we embark on this year’s festival, we are thankful to our returning sponsors for their belief in our growing organization and we are thrilled to welcome 30 new sponsors who will put us in an even better position as we continue to expand.”

Among those 30 news sponsors are three well-known Milwaukee institutions providing first-time support to Milwaukee Film: We Energies Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin supporting Milwaukee Film’s youth initiatives and Northwestern Mutual supporting Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens and Cine Sin Fronteras programs.

In addition, Milwaukee Film welcomes Marcus Hotels & Resorts, who will be joining the returning Kimpton Journeyman Hotel and Plaza Hotel to provide rooms for all Milwaukee Film Festival guests, and Steinhafels, who will be providing support for the Brico Forward Fund and furniture for the Milwaukee Film Lounge. Miller Lite, Melissa Goins and Maures Development Group signed on to support of the festival’s 20th anniversary celebration of LOVE JONES. New sponsor, Live Wire Productions, will be providing support for Milwaukee Film’s first ever Women in Film Showcase, which highlights women feature filmmakers in the festival.

New media sponsors include iHeart Media and Radio Caliente, who join returning media sponsors such as 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, OnMilwaukee, WMSE 91.7, Telemundo Wisconsin, Milwaukee PBS, and Premiere Media Sponsor, Journal Sentinel.

The 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival will take place at the Landmark Oriental Theatre, Landmark Downer Theatre, Fox-Bay Cinema Grill, Times Cinema, and Avalon Theater from September 28th – October 12th. Festival Passes and ticket 6-Packs are now on sale at mkefilm.org/tickets.

A complete list of sponsors for the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival is below:

Presenting Sponsor
Associated Bank, Bank of Milwaukee Film Festival

Premier ($100,000+)
Journal Sentinel: Part of the USA Today Network, Presenting Media Sponsor

Luminary ($100,000+)
Donald and Donna Baumgartner
Herzfeld Foundation
Marianne and Sheldon Lubar
Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig

Leading ($50,000+)
88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Good City Brewing, Official Brewery
Laughlin Constable
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

Visionary ($50,000+)
Argosy Foundation
Bader Philanthropies, Inc.
Brico Fund
The Heil Family Foundation
Herb Kohl Philanthropies
Christine Symchych and Jim McNulty
David Uihlein

Producing ($30,000+)
Anonymous
John Axford
Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.
BVK
Heiser Lincoln, Official Automotive Sponsor
Johnson Controls
Kelben Foundation, Inc.
Koss Stereophones, Official Headphones
Lowlands Group
Mandel Group
Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Official Law Firm
Milwaukee PBS
New Land Enterprises
OnMilwaukee
Purple Onion
SRH • Branding and Production Agency
Stamm Technologies
Steinhafels
WMSE 91.7FM
Wonder Wonder

Supporting ($20,000+)
About Face Media
Baird
BelAir Cantina
Colectivo Coffee
The Electric Sun Corporation
The Fischers
Greater Milwaukee Foundation/Carl and Lora Otjen Family Fund
Independent
Journal Sentinel Food & Wine Experience
Mary Ann and Charles LaBahn
Live Wire Productions
Marquette University
Metroparent
Milwaukee Business Journal
Milwaukee Record
Ken and Kath Muth
Neroli Salon & Spa
Nicholas Family Foundation
North American Camera
The Railway Exchange Building
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Shepherd Express
Tap Milwaukee
Telemundo Wisconsin
Times Cinema and Avalon Theater
Urban Milwaukee
UWM Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
We Energies Foundation
WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee Public Radio
Zizzo Group

Providing ($10,000+)
Badger Liquor
Beans & Barley
Blackbox Visual
CBS 58
Colliers International | Wisconsin
Collura Creative
DearMKE
Fox-Bay Cinema Grill
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM)
The Ideas Network 90.7 FM
The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
LP/ws Design Studios
Miller Lite
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Public Library
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
The Plaza Hotel
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust
VISIT Milwaukee
Ward4
Weyco Group, Inc.
WJMR Jammin’ 98.3 FM
Yelp
Zilber Family Foundation

Contributing ($5,000+)
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Ease
Maihaugen Foundation
Milwaukee Arts Board and Wisconsin Arts Board
Mittera Group/J.B. Kenehan
Northwestern Mutual
Jim Phillips, LLC
Gene & Ruth Posner Foundation, Inc
Quantum LS
Radio Caliente
Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Ugly’s Bar & Grill
von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
WNOV 860am/106.5fm “The Voice”
The Women’s Center
Frank Zeidler Center for Public Discussion

Sustaining ($2,500+)
Cardinal Stritch University
José Carlino Design
Fuel Cafe
Melissa Goins
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin
iHeartMedia
KPMG
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP
Ralph Evinrude Foundation, Inc.
The University Club of Milwaukee
Wisconsin Gazette

Additional Foundation Support
Peggy Ann Family Foundation
Albert J. and Flora H. Ellinger Foundation, Inc.
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc.
Clare M. Peters Charitable Trust

Hospitality Partners
Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen
Beans & Barley
BelAir Cantina
Black Shoe Hospitality
Bowls
Company Brewing
Float Milwaukee
Good City Brewing, Official Brewery
Ian’s Pizza
Lowlands Group
Outpost Natural Foods Co-op
Stand Eat Drink
Tall Guy and a Grill

About Milwaukee Film

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences. This year’s 15-day film festival takes place September 28 – October 12. Discounted passes and ticket 6-Packs are available now at mkefilm.org/tickets. For more information, visit us online at 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 President); John P. Bania; Donna Baumgartner; Karen Ellenbecker; Jeff Fitzsimmons; Alexander P. Fraser (President); Cecelia Gore; Bill Haberman (Past President); Carmen Haberman; Susan Haise; Katie Heil; Patti Keating Kahn; Michael G. Klein; Michael J. Koss Jr.; Tracey L. Klein (Immediate Past President); Kenneth C. Krei; Mary Ann LaBahn; Alexander Lasry; Steve Laughlin (Past President); Emilia Layden; Marianne Lubar; Sara Meaney; Steve Mech; Barry Poltermann; Bob Pothier; John Ridley; Joseph A. Rock; Ramona Rogers-Windsor; Lacey Sadoff; Dave Stamm; Julia Taylor; John Utz. Emeritus members: Tom Barrett, Jacqueline Strayer.

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.