Milwaukee Film Festival returns for 16th year

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --Two weeks from now is the return of the Milwaukee Film Festival. It's the festival's "Sweet Sixteen" birthday, and they're reviving a bit of Milwaukee history.

Thursday night, excitement at the Oriental Theatre could rival that of fans watching their favorite team.

"It's very exciting. I love it every year. I love that Milwaukee has this set aside time to just celebrate film," said Kevin Geary, film fest fan.

"There really is something for everyone. If you like kids movies. If you like horror movies and everything in between," said Kerstin Larson, Programming Director, Milwaukee Film.

On Friends and Family Night, Milwaukee Film is playing trailers from a select few of the 300 titles that will be shown in 15 days at the Milwaukee Film Fest.

"It's like kind of fun to watch like kids' stuff and trailers," said Levi Geary, 7-year-old film fest fan.

Four theatres get to be part of this year's Milwaukee Film Festival and this one's pretty special.

Milwaukee's oldest theatre that hasn't shown any movies since last fall is one of them.

"When the Downer closed back in September, it was a real loss for the community and the east side you know. The Downer will show its first under our operation on Friday, April 12, at Noon'ish," said Cara Ogburn, Artistic Director, Milwaukee Film.

"I'm so thrilled that everything has been renovated for The Oriental and now Downer. That is amazing," said Sherry Wulff.

Stadium style seating at newer theatres, streaming services like Netflix, among other things, took a toll on older theatres.

These eight permanently closed.

Rosebud in Wauwatosa reopened last month after four years.

"The thing that has been challenging both recovering from Covid and then the strikes are really about product being available, Fewer films have been released year over year for the last few years," said Ogburn.

The lineup is up now. What remains among the most popular is the Cream City Program from local filmmakers.

"They're so joyful to be at. The audience is so supportive and excited, and you get to see different parts of our city up on the big screen which obviously is the best," said Larson.

There are three screens at The Oriental and two at Downer, and it's walking distance between the two.

"But there's something about being in these old theatres that reminds me of my childhood and just the artwork and the architecture itself of these buildings," said Geary.

For more information on The Downer Theatre, click here.