Filmmaker Panel Series

Panel Series
Midwest Filmmaker Competition

These in-depth panels offer insight into the regional film industry and significant networking opportunities with filmmakers and industry leaders for filmmakers and the public alike. All panels are free and open to the public, unless noted.

Sponsored by: Reinhart, Boerner & Van Deuren Attorneys at Law

Life after the Festival Run: A Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Short Film
Friday, Sept. 28, 5:30 p.m.. Von Trier, 2235 N. Farwell Ave.
Don’t let your short film collect dust on a bookshelf or become a mantelpiece. There are plenty of new avenues for marketing and screening your short film after the festival run. Join Oscar nominated short film producer Ericka Frederick and other film industry professionals and short filmmakers who can help you get the most out of your short film, advancing your filmmaking career and helping your pocketbook.


Getting Your Indie Film Made and Seen On Public TV
Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m., Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr.
ITVS is the single largest funder of independent work (documentaries, narratives, and animated works) on public television. Come learn about all the various funding opportunities available for independent filmmakers. ITVS Program Manager Kathryn Washington and ITVS funded producer and Milwaukee filmmaker Brad Lichtenstein will walk you through the nuts and bolts of getting your project funded for broadcast on public television.


Speed Dating: Find the Perfect Filmmaking Advice
Saturday, Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m., Von Trier, 2235 N. Farwell Ave.
Sunday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m., Twisted Fork, 2238 N. Farwell Ave.
Fifteen minutes is all you’ll have to discuss your film ideas, as film executives, and filmmakers will critique and share their advice on what you have to offer. Similar to “speed dating,” you will have the opportunity to speak with different production executives, distributors and filmmakers, gaining valuable feedback from different sources. Pre-registration required by Sept. 24, 2007. Please e-mailpanel@milwaukeefilmfest.org with your name, phone number, and the date you would like to attend.


Visions of the Future
Saturday, Sept. 29, 3 p.m., Milwaukee Art Museum , 700 N. Art Museum Drive
Wisconsin’s own film industry production leaders will discuss their vision for the future filmmaking in Wisconsin . Film Wisconsin, the new non-profit film office, will lead this panel, addressing how the industry is building for Wisconsin ’s next chapter in television and film production with the aid of state tax incentives. Introduced by Dave Fantel and moderated by Scott Robbe, panel participants will include Randy Bobo, Steve Boettcher, Bob Donnelly, Daniel Kattman, Jerry Riedel, Janine Sijan Rozina and John Tanner.


Will Digital Cinema Mean the Re-birth of Regional Cinema?
Sunday, Sept. 30, Noon, Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Drive (Admission to the screening of The Whole Shootin’ Match required.)
The Whole Shootin’ Match (1978, Eagle Pennell) is one of the seminal regional films of the American independent film movement. Made in Texas on weekends for $25,000, it was praised on release and inspired Robert Redford to start the Sundance Institute. However, since the advent of Sundance, the appropriate term “regional” has been replaced by the more generic “independent.” This panel will explore the restoration and digital cinema distribution of The Whole Shootin’ Match, while asking the question, “What happened to the regional film movement in America?”