Across the U.S. and elsewhere, film festivals have been recognized as key cultural institutions on par with museums and performing arts organizations. As Wisconsin’s only eleven day international film festival and one of the fastest growing events of its kind in the nation, the mission of the non-profit Milwaukee International Film Festival (MIFF) is to present high quality, thought provoking films from around the world and here in the Midwest. An integral piece of MIFF’s mission is to educate the community that we are each individuals working to survive, provide for families and create positive influences for our community, despite differences in our language, skin color or religious affiliations.
The landmark fifth annual Milwaukee International Film Festival will take place Sept. 20-30, 2007 at Landmark’s Oriental and Downer Theatres, the Times Cinema, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin.
Spotlight Presentations
In 2006 MIFF opened with The Queen starring Helen Mirren, included a tribute to filmmaker Harold Ramis and closed with the Hong Kong musical Perhaps Love.
World Cinema
This popular programming track offers essential films from around the world, inlcluding award-winning films and films with famous actors such as Judi Dench, Heath Ledger, Forest Whitaker and Penelope Cruz.
New Visions
A series spotlighting the work of emerging visionaries from around the world. Past films include 13 Tzameti and Wristcutters-A love story.
Midwest Filmmaker Competition
The first competition of its kind for films made by Midwest filmmakers featuring cash awards, the Midwest Filmmaker Competition is a celebratory gathering point for the Midwest film community featuring screenings, panels and parties. The main initiative of the Midwest Filmmaker Competition is to promote and develop Milwaukee as the independent filmmaking center of the Midwest. Past films include Reeseville and American Blackout.
Education Programs
The festival features more than film from around the world, such as discussions and talk backs with filmmakers and panelists covering significant film subject matter, currently at the top of public discussion. MIFF’s Reel Flix educational program offers students a fun way to screen MIFF films, discuss educational curriculum and explore the possibilities of the independent art and film industry at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The Student Screenwriting Competition is an opportunity for aspiring writers and filmmakers attending Milwaukee area high schools to explore film and the arts as a career opportunity, gaining insight and guidance from professionals involved and experienced in the industry.
MIFF’S Significance for Milwaukee
With the new state legislation that provides the best tax incentives in the country for film producers to make their movies in Wisconsin, the film festival highlights Milwaukee’s film industry, showcasing the city as a prime location for shooting with a thriving community of skilled professionals. These generous tax credits put the city of Milwaukee, our lakeshore and wonderful architecture on the map for the film industry, creating a new economic impact and industry for the city and state. An international film festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan area, is a significant magnet for attracting and retaining film production and future industry professionals in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
