THE 2024 FEST SCREENED OCTOBER 10th-13th
Featuring Selected Work Created in Wisconsin and Workshops Lead by Wisconsinites.
This fest is exclusively focused on Wisconsin-based artists and projects, providing a platform for local creators and bolstering creative engagement throughout our region.
We don’t just screen films, we’re committed to creating space and programming for filmmakers, musicians, writers, animators, composers and designers to network and platform their work. Screenings take place alongside professional panels, interactive workshops and live performances, encouraging collaboration across mediums and formats. Contributors to the fest are also invited to continue their creative momentum year-round, participating in our shared resource network and regular meetups. These resources provide access to shared equipment, talent and funding to enhance the scale and scope of Wisconsin filmmaking.
This fest focuses primarily on short films (30 minutes or less), and aims to feature independent cinema that fosters critical discussion and community connection. Selected work is curated to screen everywhere from historic theaters and cafes to local creative centers and makerspaces, promoting engagement with grassroots arts orgs and unique screening spaces.
2024 Venues and Films
Screenings and filmmaker talkbacks were followed by live performances and demos, as well as panels on regional creative spaces, projects and resources (featuring local filmmakers, writers, actors and founders of regional creative spaces).
Filmmakers in Attendance
Best In Category Awards - $100
-Best Music Video: The Thirties “Baltic Avenue” and Ethan Bott "Ain't No Honky Tonks in Michigan" by Nels Lindquist
-Best Experimental Film: Idiot, Relax by Samuel Karow
-Best Animation: Hurdles by Pamela Oliver Munoz
-Best Narrative (Drama): Last Rung On The Ladder by Jeff Blankenship (co-written by Max Blaska)
-Best Narrative (Comedy): My Fair Dairy by TJ Hill
-Best Documentary: 1991 by Saif Alsaegh
Independent Spirit Awards - $50
Pete's Castle by Nate Sheppard
Spark Plug by Cole J Sheldon
Halley Innes "Hey Life" by Halley and William Innes
Good Soup by Emily Odegard
FIELDTRIP by Sydney Schmidt
Swept Off by Melonie Gartner
Would've, Could've, Should've by Nick Sansone
Prizes are awarded by category and best of show, to work that shows significant technical and artistic achievement. Jurors are generally filmmakers, film industry professionals, critics or curators who have a commitment to supporting regional filmmakers and film culture in Wisconsin. Often, jurors have Wisconsin roots or are UW alumni.