The 2021 Milwaukee Film Festival will feature more than 200 films and will be available virtually through streaming format. It will be the first-ever spring festival.
The 13th annual festival will feature 202 films: 89 feature films, and 113 short films. The event invites audience members to see the world through their diverse selection featuring local and international films.
"We have films from Lesotho, Côte d'Ivoire, from Malta from countries that we don't normally have a deep representation in our film line up" said Cara Ogburn, artistic director for Milwaukee Film.
The nonprofit announced its virtual festival will take place May 6 through May 20 and will offer it through TV, computer, tablet, and smartphone formats.
The films will be available on-demand through theMilwaukee Film app, exclusively for TV on Amazon Fire, Android, Apple, ROKU, and Samsung SMART TVs.
“Our Festival films are as extraordinary as ever with titles that offer something for everyone to be entertained and learn something new. “Although we still miss our beloved theatre palace, there’s no sacrificing the magic of cinema in this year’s film selections.”
Despite the recent decline in movie theaters, the Milwaukee Film Festival has been able to stay afloat thanks to the support of the community. They hope to also receive government aid through the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Grant. The online portal to apply for aid opened Monday.
"It's been surprising and heart warming to sort of know that you know the arts and arts non-profit are important to our community," says Ogburn.
The non-profit has plans to host next year's festival in-person and open doors to their newly renovated Oriental Theatre by the end of this year.
"People are also really eager to get back in person cinema events and we're looking forward to welcoming them back later this year."
All-access passes are on sale for $90 for Milwaukee Film Members and $160 for non-members. Pass prices will increase to $100 for Members and $175 for non-members once the festival begins on May 6.
For details on how to download the Milwaukee Film app, click here.
To view a full list of the films, click here.
