Associated Banc : Milwaukee Film and Associated Bank announce entire 2022 Milwaukee Film Festival Line-Up

MILWAUKEE - Thursday, April 7, 2022 - Milwaukee Film is thrilled to return to an in-person experience for the 14th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by Associated Bank, the official Bank of Milwaukee Film, and announce its full lineup of 284 films playing between April 21 - May 5, 2022.

Artistic Director Cara Ogburn remarks "This festival's lineup is a return to what Milwaukee has come to expect from the Milwaukee Film Festival - there's truly something for everyone that otherwise wouldn't be available on-screen, including fest faves from Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, and SXSW. And, this year, that means both giant cinema screens and your own home screens."

Of the feature film lineup, 63 films are documentaries alongside 70 fiction films and 1 Super Secret Members Only screening; while the 150 short films make up 18 short film programs. The entire lineup features films from 43 countries, and 48% of the lineup has been made by women and non-binary directors. Additionally, as part of this year's previously announced hybrid film-festival, 77% of the 284 films will be available on virtually - including 69 feature films and all 150 short films.

Highlights of this year's in-cinema festival include Spotlight Presentations in-cinema Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night film experiences:

• Opening Night - THE PEZ OUTLAW (dir. Amy Bandlien Storkel, Bryan Storkel), the SXSW lauded documentary that proves that truth is often stranger than fiction - following the true story of Steve Glew, a friendly Midwesterner with a secret life as an international smuggler of… Pez dispensers. The Storkels are longtime MFF friends and alumni having attended with their short films, "The Bad Boy of Bowling" (MFF2015) and "The Dean Scream" (MFF2016).
  • Thursday, May April 21 | 6:30 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema. Requires a special Opening Night Film Ticket or All-Access Festival Pass.

• Centerpiece - NAVALNY (dir. Daniel Roher) - the highly relevant and must-see thriller documentary that centers around Russian lawyer and activist Alexei Navalny, revealing a courageous and controversial would-be president who will sacrifice everything to reform Russia.
  • Friday, Apr 29 | 6:00 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema

• Closing Night - PETIT MAMAN (dir. Céline Sciamma) - Sciamma's much anticipated follow-up to PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE; a critical darling, Mark Kermode at Observer UK says the film "goes straight into my list of the greatest films ever made for children of all ages."
  • Thursday, May 5 | 8:00 PM | Oriental Theatre: Abele Cinema

The full program line-up is available digitally (here - link to be provided) and in print on Monday, April 11 at multiple locations city wide (list found here - link to be provided) - including Good City Brewing's Wauwatosa and Farwell locations where Programming staff will be on-site on April 11 during Happy Hour from 5-7pm for film conversation and $1 off beers!

The Milwaukee Film Festival is grateful to be one of the first to return to in-cinema screenings. experiences. As was the case for many independent theaters and film festivals, Milwaukee Film was forced to move entirely virtual in 2020 and 2021 and worked with Associated to ensure local talent continued to be supported.

"Our relationship with Associated Bank allowed us to persevere through these challenging pandemic years," said Milwaukee Film CEO Jonathan Jackson. "They've been a steadfast supporter for our cause of sharing meaningful stories within our community, and we couldn't be happier to be celebrating together in person once more in 2022."

Associated Bank continues to engage their staff and clients in the work of local and regional filmmakers through dedicated film screenings and talkbacks in efforts to foster a shared cinematic experience, enable industry sustainability and advance conversations in the cinema and classroom and diverse communities.

"At Associated Bank, we recognize that through the power of the arts, we will continue to make a positive difference in our diverse communities," said Marilka Vélez, Associated Bank Senior Vice President & Senior Director of Marketing. "Associated is proud to be the Bank of Milwaukee Film and will gift a donation back to the organization each time a customer uses their Associated Bank Milwaukee Film Debit Card."

The 14th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by Associated Bank, will be held from April 21 - May 5, 2022. Both in-person and virtual options (or both) are available: all-access passes (available only to MKE Film Members, which include virtual access) are available now for $450, with a virtual-only pass available for $125 for Members, $200 for the public. 6-Pack ticket packages (for in-person screenings) are also currently available for $60 for Members and $78 for the public. Single tickets go on sale April 11 for Members, April 13 for the public.

About Milwaukee Film

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences, with a vision to make Milwaukee a center for film culture. Milwaukee Film operates the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace committed to high-quality and accessible film and education programming. The 14th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will be held April 21-May 5, 2022. For more information or to become a Member, visit mkefilm.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm | Twitter: @mkefilm | Instagram: @mkefilm

About Associated Bank

Associated Bank continues to offer Milwaukee Film Checking, which supports the mission of Milwaukee Film through a portion of purchases going right back to the nonprofit¹.

Milwaukee Film Members receive the best prices for Milwaukee Film Festival passes and tickets. In addition, Milwaukee Film Checking customers enjoy benefits like a discounted film membership², two complimentary film festival ticket vouchers³, 15% off Milwaukee Film merchandise⁴ and free popcorn at the Oriental Theatre⁵.

Details on Milwaukee Film and the upcoming Festival are available at mkefilm.org/mff. Film fans can find information on opening a Milwaukee Film Checking account at AssociatedBank.com/MKEFilm.

¹ 5 cents from every transaction (less returns) made with a Milwaukee Film Debit Card will be given back to Milwaukee Film, up to $35,000 annually.

² Memberships are valid for 12 months. Dual memberships are available only to members who reside at the same address. Discount is available for new membership or at time of renewal. Show your Milwaukee Film Debit Mastercard when making a purchase or call 414-755-1965 x204 for more information. All benefits are subject to change. See mkefilm.org for membership information.

³ To receive the Milwaukee Film Festival digital ticket voucher customer must have a personal checking account with a Milwaukee Film Debit Mastercard. Digital ticket voucher will be made available as an online redemption code, valid for regularly priced film screenings. To be eligible for the digital ticket voucher, account must be open a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the current year's Milwaukee Film Festival. Primary owner on the account must be 18 years or older to qualify. This benefit is subject to change, at Associated Bank or Milwaukee Film's discretion, at any time without notice. Exclusions may apply. Once the voucher is in customer's possession, Associated Bank and Milwaukee Film are not responsible if lost or stolen.

⁴ Show your Milwaukee Film Debit Mastercard when making a purchase. Exclusions may apply, please see a sales associate for details. Valid for purchases at Oriental Theatre only.

⁵ Show your Milwaukee Film Debit Mastercard when making a purchase to receive a free small popcorn with purchase of any beverage. Valid for purchases at Oriental Theatre only.

Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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Associated Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Contact: Jessica Bursi, Project Manager - Press Liaison // [e-mail]