Here's what to know about Milwaukee's fall film festivals
The theme of the 25th Milwaukee International Short Film Festival — legacy — came about by accident.
“Half our films are primarily from people who have submitted to us before, and so that … helps to celebrate the festival a little bit and honor the filmmakers who have been with us in the past,” said Milwaukee filmmaker Ross Bigley, the festival's founder.
The 2023 edition of the Short Film Festival — Sept. 8-9 at the Avalon Theater — will include 49 short films, 21 by filmmakers who have been part of the festival before and three that have screened in past years.
About 80% of the more than 500 movies submitted for this year's festival were by Wisconsin filmmakers. It's a reflection, Bigley said, of how much movie-making has grown in the state.
And that includes film festivals — Wisconsin is home to 17 of them.
“That’s an insane amount of film festivals for a state that people don’t really consider a filmmaking hub,” Bigley said.
Milwaukee has more than its share, with six taking place during the fall. Here's a look at what they're showing and when.
Milwaukee International Short Film Festival
The Milwaukee International Short Film Festival returns to a two-day, in-person format for its 25th year. The short films — 49 in all — are being shown in five blocks of programs, each including filmmaker Q&As. Among the blocks is "Voices Heard," a juried program of shorts by filmmakers of color at 9:15 p.m. Sept. 8, and juried selection of works by young filmmakers at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9. (Other programming blocks are at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8, and 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. Sept. 9, with an awards ceremony afterward.)
When: Sept. 8-9
Where: Avalon Theater, 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tickets: $11 per program
Info: mkeshortfest.blogspot.com
Hispanic Heritage Month movies at Oriental Theatre
Milwaukee Film's Cine Sin Fronteras program, which presents screenings and events exploring the life and humanity of the Latino diaspora, has a quintet of movies planned for Hispanic Heritage Month. The lineup includes "Cassandro the Exotico!", a portrait of lucha libre star Cassandro, one of the industry's first openly gay wrestlers (Sept. 19); the seventh annual Femme Frontera Filmmaker Showcase (Sept. 16); and "Hummingbirds," a coming-of-age documentary exploring teenage life in a small Texas town (Oct. 12).
When: Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Where: Oriental Theatre
Tickets: $12
Info: mkefilm.org/cine-sin-fronteras
Cultures & Communities Festival
Milwaukee Film's Cultures & Communities Festival is a mix of movies, forums, speaker events and in-person performances designed to reflect and celebrate diverse voices and issues. The movie lineup is being announced in September; the festival's live performances include an opening-night party featuring DJ Spinderella at The Cooperage (Oct. 5); comedian Janelle James at the Pabst Theater (Oct. 8); a "Battle of the Chefs" at the Pritzlaff Building (Oct. 6); and more.
When: Oct. 5-12
Where: Screenings at the Oriental Theatre; live performances and other programming at other venues
Tickets: To be announced
Info: mkefilm.org/ccf
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Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival
The 26th annual Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival offers a quintet of movies depicting different aspects of the Jewish experience, in America and around the world. Several of this year's titles also will be available on demand. Among the 2023 festival's offerings: the Milwaukee premiere of "Remembering Gene Wilder," a documentary about the life and career of the actor born in Milwaukee.
When: Oct. 15-29
Where: Marcus Theatres' North Shore Cinema and online via mkejewishfilm.eventive.org
Tickets: $12
Info: mkejewishfilm.eventive.org
Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival
Milwaukee Film and the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition puts together an impressive lineup of more than a half-dozen movies reflecting the diversity of the Islamic experience in America and around the world. The 2023 festival's highlights include "Wisconsin Life: The Wisconsin Muslim Project," a new PBS Wisconsin production.
When: Oct. 19-22
Where: Oriental Theatre
Tickets: TBD
Info: mkefilm.org/mmff
Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival
The eighth Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival is expected to feature a broad range of shorts and features reflecting the diversity of the horror genre. The 2023 lineup is still being finalized; among the movies premiering at the festival is "I'm Your Host," a new documentary by Milwaukee artist and filmmaker Alicia Krupsky about the horror hosts on Kenosha public-access cable (BFA).
When: Oct. 20-22
Where: Times Cinema, 5906 W. Vliet St.
Tickets: To be announced
Info: twisteddreamsff.com
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Milwaukee's fall film festivals
