The Milwaukee Film program book will be distributed beginning tomorrow at the Made in Milwaukee festival, but I got a look at it this week. As expected, there is a wealth of exciting cinema on tap at the annual festival, which runs Sept. 22-Oct. 2 at the Oriental, Downer, Ridge and North Shore theaters.

You will be able to find the complete schedule at mkefilm.org once the book is out. But, as a taster, here are some of the films I'm most excited about.

"The Salt of Life," Friday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., North Shore. The new film from "Mid-August Lunch" director Gianni Di Gregorio, "The Salt of Life" is the festival opener at North Shore.

"The Interrupters," multiple screenings. This documentary about former gang members who become violence interrupters, defusing gang fights and foiling murder plots, is part of the festival's tribute to Kartemquin Films.

"The First Beautiful Thing," multiple screenings. This is the new film from Paolo Virzi and it's the story of a mother and her rocky relationship with her son.

"Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life," multiple screenings. Serge bio-pic. Nuff said.

"On Tour," Sunday, Oct. 2, 7:15 p.m., Oriental. This is the festival closer at the Oriental and it's a French film about the semi-washed up entertainment manager who promises his American burlesque troupe. Instead of the Parisian stages they expect, they travel from one provincial hamlet to the next.

There's so much more on tap at this year's event, that I encourage you to get a copy – digital or printed – of the program guide and plan to spend a lot of time watching great films in Milwaukee later this month.