"BEST LOCAL FESTIVAL!"
*Click on any picture or title for more info
Day 1: Sept 7th
Featuring Poetry Performances by
Mario “The Poet” Willis
Moe Sghetti
King Kamonzi
Somewhere Over by Jazmyn Yun Babler
The Red Goose by Mad James McGuire
Observations by Nati Rosa Rodriguez
deSire: One Man’s POV by Trez Gee
Freight Train by Jocelyne Berumen
Echoes of the Sacred Pool by Ramesh Kumar
The Kingdom Call by KayCee M Kelsey
Night Hag by Brandon Champ Robinson
Maladjustment by Anatasha Blakely
It’s 1974 and Gary Campbell has set out to go camping with his three daughters, Nancy, Judy, and Wendy. A planned vacation turns out to be a nightmare as no one gets along and side characters interrupt their family bonding.
A girl leaves her home and ends up in a strange place.
A young girl uses art to cope with her untimely death.
(Synopsis not available)
A woman and a man in a steady relationship discover that they each have different desires for what they want out of life. Can they find a common ground, or will this newly discovered reality destroy their love and change the way they view their relationship!
In this 1920's murder mystery themed video, Lacey's ghost warns her friends in that past that something is going to happen - a freight train is coming!
During their family spring vacation, three youngsters uncover the chilling truth about their vacation property's dark past, dating back to 17th-century slavery. As they stay in a house built on the remnants of a burned-down slave colony where countless lives were lost, the youngest among them, deeply affected by the haunting history, begins to sense the eerie presence of restless spirits.
To commemorate their 38th founding anniversary, this short documentary tells the story of Pastor John W. McVicker, Sr., and his wife Marilynn from Milwaukee, WI. The documentary showcases their unwavering passion and dedication towards establishing one of the most prestigious Baptist Churches in the city of Milwaukee, the Christ the King Baptist Church.
The lines between dream and reality become blurred as a woman battling sleep paralysis becomes the target of a relentless demon, the Night Hag. A woman battling sleep paralysis becomes the target of a relentless demon, the Night Hag
A dance film on defining a woman. The film covers four sections, each describing different facets of femininity.
Filmmaker Panel
We'll have Q/A's featuring participating filmmakers of this year's festival discussing their work. That'll be up for free before and during festival weekend on our youtube channel.
In Person Filmmaker Panel
Being a filmmaker of color
in Milwaukee
Voices Heard is having its first ever panel, and taking place right after the films at the Avalon.
The topic of which is what's it like being a filmmaker of color right now in this city.
How has it changed from the past, plus what are the opportunities they see going forward.
Featuring:
QDavis Lea (Untangled) , Trez Gee (deSire - One Man’s POV), KayCee Kelsey (The Kingdom Call)
and J Anthony Ramos (Becoming Undead III). Moderated by Clarence Aumend.
3:30PM in the Avalounge located in the Avalon's lobby.
Filmmaker Panel
This year we received more horror films than ever before, so in turn we programmed more horror films than we ever have.
This panel examines why horror is a chosen genre with today's emerging filmmakers, with panelists who have films in this year's festival, Corey Benson Powers of Locksmith, Savanna Wrobel of Lurker, and Cassie Llanas of Lost Boys Pizza. Moderated by Michael Viers (The Shame List Picture Show).
La Cañada, Europe's largest slum on the outskirts of Madrid, has been without electricity for over a year. In the firelight, Toni, a 13 year-old boy, discovers that his best friend Nasser is leaving forever. Amongst Roma legends of a possible future, Toni looks for a way to stay connected to him.
Sylvia, a middle-age ballerina, navigates the simplicity of her day in the city as she considers her place amongst a profession and society that view her as an outlier.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Words are purely the product of the writer's imagination. Any resemblance to actual acts is coincidental....more or less.
Three fashion models ditch their professional photo shoot to have fun in the city for the day when a young amateur photographer comes across them and starts to take pictures of them. They playfully pose for him, but eventually leave. Enamored with one of the women, he looks for them through the subway to catch up with them. In the end, they assert their confidence by turning the tables on him; photographing him with his own camera.
In a dystopian future, a safety inspector keeps watch over a residential unit in Cleveland, Ohio. She is always there. She never sleeps. She is always watching. It’s for your own good.
A student is frantically searching for a book, with the help of a prickly librarian, by Daniel Powell called: Ideals in Conflict in order to complete a mini essay he didn't realized was due on Monday.
A couple comes together over their mutual love of meat.
Amy never believed she could do aerial dance. Until she started at university. This documentary discusses the excitement of aerial dance and the benefits it has to the people who do it.
Chelsea, a recent art-school graduate, is living at home with her penny-pinching parents while pursuing her passion. Determined to follow her passion, she finds herself facing an unexpected adversary: Could it be a ghost, or a manifestation of her darkest self?
When carefree Adam gets a call from his childhood friend, he takes the chance to settle old scores and ease the guilt of avoiding her for so many years. They were once the closest of friends, but he’s visited only once since Sarah’s son was born—eight years ago. The surprises in store unearth memories and feelings and plenty of old baggage. Will the remainders of their relationship be enough to overcome the circumstances that pushed them apart and let them reconnect? It might have to be, because
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After 130 years in the fishing business, Ewig Bros. Fish in Port Washington is closing its doors for good.
Marisol gets into a contest of wills with the AI software helping her write her emails.
Your mirror has told you that you've gotten older. What do you do? Make a short film. Use embarrassing video and pictures of yourself - throw in some Midwestern-style of humor, to show all that you approve of a continuation of your life.
A young boy is stalked by a ghostly figure while alone in the dark.
A hilarious film inspired by the director's mother. A 65 year-old Chilean immigrant named Rosa has finally decided to face her fears of speaking English and become an Avon Lady. However, she's a fantastic failure until she meets an eccentric customer who shows her she'll need more than English to make that sale.
A journey through the complexity, stresses, beauty and joy of the contemporary world via a music waveform and visual narrative.
Hoop Dynamics is not your usual basketball film. In fact, it rarely discusses basketball. Alyssa Jouett, the director of the film, sets out to find safe, queer sports teams in London. They happen upon the London Cruisers, London’s oldest lesbian, bisexual, trans women and nonbinary basketball team. Through exploration into the queer basketball club, Alyssa starts to heal past wounds from their own basketball experience and finds a new, accepting community in London.
In a dystopian future, a safety inspector keeps watch over a residential unit in Cleveland, Ohio. She is always there. She never sleeps. She is always watching. It’s for your own good.
Some strange happenings in a small, cozy chamber.
A take on the Japanese wives tale of the same name, The Crane Wife tells of a poor, lonely dress-maker who, one night, receives a knock on the door from a bird that will change his view on life.
Marisol Writes An Email by Matt J Weber
When Did I Become a Senior? by Bob G Tapp
The Avon Lady by Carolina Espiro
Science Fiction by Debra Zarne
Hoop Dynamics by Alyssa Jouett
Lost Boys Pizza by Cassie Llanas
Wiggle Room: Appendix A & B by Vincent Maslowski
The Crane Wife by Caleb C Adams
Hide the Body by Ethan Lelinski
Day 2: Sept 8th
Safety State is a near future dystopian road trip comedy where a lesbian and a gay couple make uncomfortable travel companions in order to escape persecution in a red state and flee to freedom in a Safety State. Thrown together out of necessity, this unlikely foursome have to pretend to be straight in order to be gay on the road from the Midwest to New England.
!["[I Love you Very Much Redux]" by Amber Rose McNeill](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/61f5c2_1f0e1d96b3ae433e892c99c5ee41ecb6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_884,h_884,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/61f5c2_1f0e1d96b3ae433e892c99c5ee41ecb6~mv2.jpg)
[I Love You Very Much Redux] takes a pointed analytical approach to the violence that women, femmes, and queer people endure in all social systems under heteronormative, patriarchal, late-stage capitalism.
What remains of a broken relationship, having ended with much left unsaid, is tested when Emma needs Oliver's help to fix her car. Each must learn to see things from the other's point of view if they want to finish the job and move on with their lives.
Back from a fine day at the office...
A lone stranger rides into a weathered settlement and tussles with the locals. After a lethal encounter, the gunslinger is transported to a mysterious lounge, where he learns secrets of a trade he never imagined.
In 2064 AD, the city had already been destroyed, and hunters who had lost their family and friends came to the jungle to search for enemies.
An artist takes her recycling out and becomes inspired to repurpose the cardboard. Her chosen medium proves new and difficult and she begins to experience frustration that her ideas are not coming to life as perfectly as she imagined.
Sometimes you have to be your own best friend, but as a toxic relationship develops between you, can you trust that you have your own best interests at heart?
Emma, a striving professional, has her morning routine interrupted when a slovenly locksmith arrives to fix her broken lock. She prepares for the day but soon realizes he has intentions other than repair.
After a night of drinking, hungover college student Samuel must win over his girlfriend's wine-connoisseur father when meeting him for the first time. Much to Mr. Sinclair's disapproval, Samuel struggles to describe the expensive wine he's served as anything beyond "good."
River orders the same pizza every day. What could go wrong?
A surreal night shift of a female prison guard turns into a juggling fiesta, celebrating diversity and solidarity of women.
A woman attempts to recreate her favorite recipe, despite her inability as a baker
Woodcut prints come to life, to music composed of bird calls, splashes, cracking sticks and other natural sounds. Created by multi-media artist/musician Luke Bassuener for the Of Water, Land & Sky environmental artist partnership program.
After recently losing his Grandpa, Sam must find a way to deal with his guilt over a lifetime of poor choices. He'd make a deal with anyone.
A couple discuss a safe word after purchasing a gun for their personal safety.
When an elderly lady finds herself at a speed dating event for seniors, she’s confronted with questionable men and Zimmer frames. Making her getaway, she meets suave Leon and is swept away to a lavish hotel. Faced with a heartbreaking decision, she’s torn between the beauty of holding on and the vulnerability in letting go.
"Tuned In" is a rom-com set in the 2000s about a connection that forms over the radio. The night takes an unexpected turn for radio host Jeff when he receives a call from an avid listener named Lucy. The two fill the airwaves with a discussion about their shared love for music but the conversation turns deeper as the night progresses. Ultimately, Jeff is left to wonder if a connection can truly form over the radio.
After Lexi realizes she left her front door unlocked, paranoia sets in and she can't help but wonder if someone is hiding in her house, waiting to attack.
After getting kidnapped and taken to a sex trafficking house on the outskirts of a southern town, Emma enlists the other victims to dive head first into a volatile escape plan where every girl must fight for her life.
When You're Here, You're Pizza! by Tim Schwagel
BOLD by Alla Kovgan & Miko Malkhasyan
That's Not a Tasty Pastry by TJ Hill
The Inheritance by Craig Anthony Knitt & Ian Teal
Sleep Tight by Mary Susan Novak
Lock the Door Behind You by Lauren Barker
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Awards handed out at the close of the festival.
After Party on site at the Avalounge!
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