Your guide to offscreen excitement at the 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival

By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers Published Oct 17, 2019 at 1:00 PM

It's time for Dining Month, presented by Deer District and its spooky Halloween-themed alter ego, Fear District. Throughout the month of October, we'll be serving up fun and fascinating content about all things food. The signature dish, however, is our 2019 Best of Dining poll, who's winners we will dish out all month long. Get hungry, Milwaukee!

It’s time to grab your popcorn and tickets because the Milwaukee Film Festival is celebrating its eleventh year on Brew City’s big screens. Welcoming local and international filmmakers, directors and movie lovers starting Oct.17, the Milwaukee Film Festival will showcase hundreds of inspiring, thrilling and one-of-a-kind films throughout the next two weeks.

For some, though, the films are just the "preview" to the Milwaukee Film Festival parties, panels, concerts and drink deals that take place after the director yells, "Cut!" And we have your ultimate script for the happenings after your movie's credits roll.

There are so many different offscreen events every evening so be sure to check out the full schedule!

After a long day at the movies, wrap up each evening with the Cream City Soundtrack series at 9:30 p.m. at the Hacienda Brewing Co. (2018 E. North Ave.) featuring some of your favorite local musicians and performers taking the stage. All shows are free – plus you'll get $1 off your first beer with a day-of MFF ticket stub.

Day 1: Thursday, Oct. 17

9.p.m. – Opening Night Party: Following the opening night film, "I Want my MTV," Good City Brewing (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) is hosting a party filled with food, drink and music to kick off the festival! Tickets are $15 and can be found on mkefilm.org. And to top it off: First drinks on them!

Day 2: Friday, Oct. 18

4 p.m. – Filmmaker Mixer One: Meet local and traveling filmmakers over some drinks at the first mixer located at Burnhearts (2599 S. Logan Ave.)

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Lex Allen and Rx Drugs at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 3: Saturday, Oct. 19

Noon – Souls of Young Folk: A Black Lens Forum: This panel, taking place at the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery), will screen clips from participants’ films, followed by a discussion about the importance of media literacy in relation to artist practice. Students will work with Art Start to take self-portraits and record their biographies.

1 p.m. – "Bleed Out" Talkback: Located in the Back Room in Colectivo (2211 N. Prospect Ave.), this panel dives in Steve Burrows’ harrowing documentary about the horrors of medical error which screens earlier that morning at the Oriental Theatre. The local filmmaker will be accompanied by legal and political figures as well as medical professionals to discuss patient rights and the importance of this film’s ability to save lives.

2 p.m. – Industry Micro Meeting: Visit one-on-one with industry professionals or leaders in 15-minute meetings where you can talk through current project(s), funding or anything (related to film) that your heart desires. This exclusive event is for MFA Members only. For more information and registration details, email molly@mkefilm.org.

6 p.m. – Munchies y Miches: Located at the Zócalo Bar and Food Truck Park (636 S. 6th St.) in Walker's Point, come celebrate the large presence of Latinx programming that Cine Sin Fronteras is bringing your way. There will be live music and a prize for the first 30 people to present a ticket stub from a Cine Sin Fronteras film.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Klassik and Immortal Girlfriend at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 4: Sunday, Oct. 20

10 a.m. – State of Cinema: Jennie Livingston: Come to the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery) to hear Jennie Livingston discuss the state of cinema today. She is best known for her Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning documentary "Paris is Burning" and now works as a producer for the TV series, "Pose."

Noon – No Box for Us: Unpacking Intersex Identity: After watching this documentary, "No Box for Me," come to the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery) to discuss gender fluidity and how gender and sex impact ones life, along with how identity is portrayed in media and academia.

2 p.m. – Who Tells Your Story?: At No Studios (1037 W. McKinley Ave.), this panel of filmmakers will discuss how systematic change has sparked the conversation about whose stories were told and others forgotten.

6 p.m. – Women in Film: Come celebrate the remarkable films in the Woman in Film showcase by joining Strange Town (2101 N. Prospect Ave.) with wine – from female-led wineries, of course! – and music by DJ Mia at No Stress Collective. And if you bring a ticket from any MFF film, goodies and deals will be revealed throughout the night.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Retoro and Mortgage Freeman at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 5: Monday, Oct. 21

9:30 p.m. – Cream City After Party: Come to Landmark Lanes (2220 N. Farwell Ave.) after the festive local showcase, "The Milwaukee Show," to show your appreciation for the filmmaking talent found right here in Milwaukee. Be sure to bring your ticket for drink deals all night long!

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Ms Lotus Fankh at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 6: Tuesday, Oct. 22

6 p.m. – Mohamed Amin Courage in Filmmaking Award and Screening: "The Sound Man" will be shown at No Studios (1037 W. McKinley Ave.) followed by a discussion on the Milwaukee Film Festival's new award for filmmaking.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Cine Sin Fronteras Night, at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 7: Wednesday, Oct. 23

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Devil Met Contention and Social Caterpillar at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 8: Thursday, Oct. 24

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Hip Hop Fashion Remix at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 9: Friday, Oct. 25

4 p.m. – Filmmaker Mixer Two: With half of the festival over, you may want to catch up with friends or get the chance to discuss the wonderful films you have seen so far at Good City Brewing's (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) last mixer of the festival.

6:30 p.m. – Uncut Drag After Party: Get an inside look at the GenreQueer Shorts Program over some drinks at the Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth Ave.) with your fabulous host Lenda Jo.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Immortal Girlfriend and L’Resorts at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 10: Saturday, Oct. 26

Noon – Global Borders and the Youth Who Tear Them Down: With many of the films surrounding topics like refugees, immigration and borders, this panel provides an outlet to discuss our sense of home. The panel is located at the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery), with the group Youth Empowered in the Struggle in attendance.

2 p.m. – Reframing Disability: A Roundtable Discussion about Artistry and Athleticism: Hosted at the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery), this panel reflects upon some of the films this year that discuss the experiences of individuals with disabilities in terms of being an artist or athlete.

4 p.m. – So You Made a Film, Now What?: If you have been asking yourself this very question, come to No Studios (1037 W. McKinley Ave.) and learn what the next step is in the process along with distribution strategies.

7 p.m. – Industry Insiders: "When They See Us": Come to Weasler Auditorium on Marquette University's campus (1506 W. Wisconsin Ave.) to discuss this Emmy-winning Netflix miniseries with the writers and editors, Milwaukee natives Michael Starrbury and Terilyn Shropshire, and dive into the process of creating films from real-life stories as they did with the Central Park Five.

9 p.m. – AfroBeatz: ¡Baile Con Buya!: Following the screening of the film "Bakosó: Afrobeats de Cuba," 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (220 E. Pittsburgh Ave.) will listen to live music and performances from Chicago’s Bomba con Buya and Cuba’s Own DJ Jigüe to honor the African roots that have influenced American culture.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring IshDarr and Paper Holland at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 11: Sunday, Oct. 27

11:30 a.m. – Afrolatinadad: Afro-Latinx Identity: Come to the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery) to hear from artists, storytellers and organizers on how the Afro-Latinx narrative has influenced the culture in America for centuries.

2 p.m. – We are All The Radical Monarchs: Spreading Our Wings and Making Connections: In the Milwaukee Film Festival Lounge (2155 N. Prospect Ave., Kenilworth Square East Gallery), to honor the documentary "We Are The Radical Monarchs," discuss the importance of the youth and growth within our lives as all genders, ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate in crafts, learning, connecting and embracing of our stories and your true self.

2:30 p.m. – Film Feast Decadence: After the curtain closes on the screening of the choco-doc "Setting the Bar: A Craft Chocolate Origin Story," indulge in your chocolate cravings across the street from the Times Cinema at the cozy Charles E. Fromage (5811 W. Vilet St.) with decadent chocolates and paired wines.

4 p.m. – Conversations on Craft: Production Design with Laura Moss: At No Studios (1037 W. McKinley Ave.), director and production designer Laura Moss will share her path to directing, writing and visual art as she dives deep into her background and the experiences that have led her to success.

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Lesser Lakes at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 12: Monday, Oct. 28

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Midnight Purchase and Brat Sounds at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 13: Tuesday, Oct. 29

7 p.m. – Short Pours with Short Films: Quench your thirst after watching "Athletics Shorts" at The Stilt House (W62 N630 Washington Ave., Cedarburg). And what goes best with a collection of short films? A collection of short pours, of course, with new Sprecher drinks featuring beer, hard cider, spiked seltzer and more.

7 p.m. – Black Entrepreneurship in Milwaukee Series: "Legacy Live On": At the Weasler Auditorium on Marquette University (1506 W. Wisconsin Ave.), this screening and panel discussion will focus on black entrepreneurship in Milwaukee with the discussion of the film "Legacy Lives On," which profiles black women entrepreneurs based in Tulsa, Detroit and Atlanta.

9:30 p.m. – Palmer Family Reunion Meet and Greet (ticket required): This exclusive and personal meet and greet with co-stars Ray Wise and Sheryl Lee, is only open to those who snagged a ticket from the screening of "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me." So if you were lucky enough to attend the film, be sure to join after at Good City Brewing (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) for the reunion!

9:30 p.m. – Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Luxi and Amanda Huff at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)

Day 14: Wednesday, Oct. 30

7 p.m. – Merge into Korean Culture: After the fantastic Korean film, the Palme d’Or-winning "Parasite," why not dive further into some Korean culture with Merge Korean Fried Chicken and Soju Bar (1932 E. Kenilworth Pl.). Show your ticket stub for incredible deals!

7 p.m. – Black Entrepreneurship in Milwaukee Series: "Boss" and the Persistence of Black Business: At The Ivy House (906 S. Barclay St.), the Black Lens series will hold a second panel to elaborate on the documentary "Boss" and the challenges and triumphs that come with doing business in Milwaukee.

9:30 p.m. - Film Festival Soundtrack: Featuring Coyote Brother and Hughes Family Band at Hacienda Beer Co. (2018 E. North Ave.)