Rubina Shafi couldn't be any happier with how the city and moviegoers embraced the First Milwaukee International Film Festival (MIFF).
The 10-day event earlier in November helped introduce a broad spectrum of international cinema and regional filmmaking to Milwaukee, and the response to this unique cultural venture was overwhelming positive.
"I was pleased on a number of levels," says Shafi, the managing director of the festival. "Milwaukee was very receptive to the concept of hosting an international film festival. Obviously, from our standpoint we were thrilled to see, for example, how well attended the events were. Even on cold rainy nights, we had a line of people around the block at the Downer Theatre. My personal highlight was the night "Chump Change" was shown at the Oriental Theatre and the entire upper balcony was sold out. It was an awesome sight."
Shafi adds that organizers of the event were pleased by with the reported total of 13,000 people who attended the screenings, seminars, and parties. That figure exceeded all expectations.
"The totals actually surpassed our projections," she says. "That in itself is a compliment to, not only the city, but also to filmgoers and all the volunteers that helped us stage the festival."
More than 100 short subject and full length films from over 30 countries were viewed at four participating movie theatres -- Landmark's Oriental and Downer Theatres, The Times Cinema and the UWM Union Theatre.
"What was amazing was that many of the filmmakers that participated in the event could not believe that this was the first time Milwaukee hosted an event like that," Shafi explains. "That certainly says a lot for effort put forth. Many of them were impressed with the theatres."
MIFF presented the world in film and video in its "World Cinema Showcase." Additionally, it highlighted current trends in independent cinema from Germany. It also featured Midwestern films and filmmakers in its "Mid by Midwest" competition -- a first by film festival standards.
"We are pleased with the fact that we gave Midwestern filmmakers a platform that many may not have had before this," Shafi says.
Award winners were announced at the invitation-only Sunday Awards Brunch at the Hi-Hat Garage, hosted by Richard Schickel, film critic for Time Magazine, documentary filmmaker, and former Milwaukeean.
Winners of the Mid by Midwest Competition were selected by a panel of six judges. Jury Prize, Best Feature was awarded to "Iwo Jima Diary," directed by Michael Pfaendtner; and the Jury Prize, Best Short was captured by "Gravel," directed by Steven Bognar.
Audiences also had a chance to vote for their favorite film at the screenings. The Audience Award for best "Mid by Midwest" Competition feature went to "Iwo Jima Diary," and the "World Cinema Showcase" Audience Award went to the German film, "In July" (Im Juli), by Faith Akin.
Now that the first year's success is in the books, it leaves little time to savor the moment. According to Shafi, plans are already in the works for next year's event.
"Our staff has a whole new vision and appreciation of what it takes to put on an event like this," she says. "We feel next year will definitely be bigger and better."
The mission of the non-profit MIFF is to champion independent filmmakers and present high-quality, thought-provoking films from around the world that would not otherwise be screened in Milwaukee.
OnMilwaukee.com was one of many sponsors of the First Milwaukee International Film Festival.
