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A still from the film NOW! MORE! YES!
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Showing
Kings of Venice film still
A photo of a panel discussion at the Milwaukee Film Festival
Genre Queer Programmer Molly

Start off our first festival Saturday strong with Now! More! Yes! screening 12 PM at the Oriental Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Director Max Hey and Documentary Subject TW Hanson, Kings of Venice screening 4:15 PM at the Downer Theatre and #MFF26 Appropriated Media Panel 10 am at East Library featuring the director of Public Access, David Shadrack Smith and local filmmaker and UWM professor, Jesse McLean. In between screenings and panels, stop by Vier North at 4 PM for a Filmmaker Happy Hour hosted by Eventive.

Reel Impact Silent Auction

Reel Impact
A mixed media piece of art depicting the Oriental Theatre MKE against a pastel colored sky.
Gary as Xanadu in a marvelous poster.
Silent Auction
Metal Marquee Letters for the Oriental Theatre
Hand made mixed media artwork inspired by the A24 film Midsommar. Colorful flowers and green grass surround a yellow structure with a window on a hill.

Help us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal during the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival with our Reel Impact Campaign! Get back when you give with our Silent Auction running April 15th to April 30th, you can bid on special exclusive items from signed movie posters to VIP festival experience packages!

Saturday 4/18

Saturday 4/18
Now! More! Yes! Film Still
Your Attention Please Film Still
My Brother's Killer Film Still
Paralyzed By Hope Film Still
Traces Of Home Film Still

Come out for Now! More! Yes! 12:00 PM at the Oriental Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Director Max Hey and Documentary Subject TW Hansen, Your Attention Please 1:15 PM at the Oriental Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Director Sara Robin, My Brother’s Killer 4:15 PM at the Oriental Theatre, Traces Of Home 3:45 PM at The Oriental Theatre and Paralyzed By Hope: The Maria Bamford Story at 6PM, all happening Saturday, April 18th at #MFF26

Sunday 4/19

Sunday 4/19
A photo of a panel discussion at the Milwaukee Film Festival
the last critic film still
Keep Quiet and Forgive Film Still

Come out for #MFF26 Panel Reclaiming Attention: How We Can Thrive in the Digital Age 12:30 PM at Wayfinder MKE. The Last Critic screening 11 am at the Oriental Theatre with an expected Q&A featuring Director Matty Wishnow and Documentary Participant Jessica Hopper. Keep Quiet and Forgive screens 12:15 PM at the Downer Theatre with an expected Q&A featuring Director Sarah McClure, Producer Joseph Terranova, Documentary Participants Lizzie Hershberger, Elizabeth Hilty and Sophia Johnson.

Monday 4/20

barbara forever
Monday 4/20
Seized Film Still
The General Film Still

Our first Monday full of festival films, start off strong with Barbara Forever screening 12:45 PM at Downer Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Producer Matt Hixon. Seized screens 1 PM at the Oriental Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Director Sharon Liese, Producer Paul Matyasovsky, Producer Alexandra Siambekos, and Documentary Subject Eric Meyer. Don’t miss our one and only screening of The General featuring Anvil Orchestra screening 6 PM in at the Oriental Theatre in our Main Abele Cinema.

Tuesday 4/21

Welcome Poets Film Still
Tuesday 4/21
learning from las vegas film still

Tuesday at #MFF26 is stacked with festival fun. Start your day off with Shorts: Stranger Than Fiction 1 PM at the Downer Theatre, at 4 PM don’t miss our final festival screening of Welcome Poets 4 PM at the Oriental Theatre with expected Q&A featuring Director/Producer Colin Crowley and Producer/Documentary Participant Nick Gulig. The Milwaukee Show I screens 6:30 PM in our Main Abele Cinema with several Cream City Filmmakers expected to attend. 

MFF26 April 16 – 30

A photo of a panel discussion at the Milwaukee Film Festival
MFF26
The Big Cheese film still A man in a cow outfit and glasses leans over laughing and smiling.
April 16 – 30
Power Ballad Film Still with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas

We offer a LOT of stuff to see during the film festival. Looking for somewhere to start? Check out our Panels, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Films!

The Downer Theatre marquee sign shown from behind, backlit by streetlights.
The Downer Theatre marquee sign shown from behind, backlit by streetlights.

Save the Downer Theatre!

Help preserve the classic neighborhood cinema experience for generations to come.

A row of young movie goers look forward in awe.
A row of young movie goers look forward in awe.

Join Milwaukee Film!

Unlock unforgettable film experiences with a Milwaukee Film Membership! Get discounted tickets, early festival access, members-only screenings, and special events.

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