This weekend, you might get the chance to discover the next Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra or Woody Allen, courtesy of the 12th Annual Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
The festival, which runs Friday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 30, will provide a venue for both local and out-of-state independent filmmakers to show their short films in the hope of garnering attention for their work. The 35 shorts, all of which must run less than 26 minutes, will be played with two feature films at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Lubar Auditorium, 700 N. Art Museum Dr.
Film shorts are like calling cards for filmmakers, said Ross Bigley, co-director of the festival and president of the Milwaukee Independent Film Society (MIFS), which is hosting the event. It’s a way for filmmakers to show potential financial backers what they’re capable of — and to try convincing those backers to fund their next film.
Bigley said film festivals can help launch a filmmaker from obscurity to greatness.
This weekend’s screening may be the only time to see many of these movies. Bigley said short films rarely make it past film festivals because movie theater chains don’t see any profit from low budget movies — filmmakers can’t afford enough advertisements to draw big crowds to theaters.
The festival is a way for MIFS to provide a venue for local filmmakers. This year, the organization showcases the work of 13 Milwaukeeans.
Twenty-six of the festival’s films are to be shown in Milwaukee for the first time while the two feature films, “Port of Call” and Bigley-directed “Petty Cash,” will be making their world premieres at 9:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
The films’ directors range from professionals who mastered their craft long ago to students still honing theirs.
MIFS vice president and festival co-director David Rogman said the presence of student films should serve to inspire Marquette students as well.
“The purpose of the festival is to allow for people to get their passions of acting, filmmaking, cinematography, storytelling on screen in front of a large audience,” Rogman said.
Rogman said the highlight of the festival is the awards ceremony following the showing of 12 juried films at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Movies are critiqued by five judges, many of whom work in the film industry. Annemarie Sawkins, associate curator at the Haggerty Museum of Art, will be on the judging panel this year.
Films are judged based on their artistic representation, entertainment value and technical skill. Among the ceremony’s awards are honors for Best Film, Best Wisconsin Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress/Ensemble and Audience Favorite.
“The energy, the excitement all builds to which film the industry experts think is the best,” Rogman said.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by international film star Bai Ling, whose film and television credits include a major role in “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” and guest starring roles on “Lost” and “Entourage.” Ling also appears in “Petty Cash,” playing a stripper named Coco who gets caught up in a fierce battle for money and survival.
The films are split up into 8 viewing sessions, $10 each. There are 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. showings each night with 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. sessions as well on Saturday. Two-day festival passes are available for $20. Tickets can be bought online at www.festival.milwaukeeindependentfilmsociety.org or at the door.
