Commentary: 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival Offers More Than Just Great Movies

This year’s two-week long movie extravaganza in Brewtown is in production from April 24 through May 8. This year’s Milwaukee Film Festival is the 17th after a rebrand in 2009. 

As usual, the offerings of this year’s events feature some fantastic films —  both historic and new, really cool historic screening venues, insightful Q&A sessions and a happy hour gathering where you can meet the group behind the effort to make shooting in Wisconsin more cost-effective and showcase our beautiful state.  

Some films that highlight this year’s festival include “The Shrouds,” David Cronenberg’s horror-drama where a widower businessman creates a device that can contact the dead.  Cronenberg’s past hits include 1986’s “The Fly” and 2005’s “A History of Violence.” “Gallagher” is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the life of the controversial, but popular prop comic who used to smash watermelons and warn people that if they sat in the front row, that they might get wet. Frequent “Nite Lite” guest and filmmaker Frank Anderson is one of the editors on the project. 

One film in particular that has piqued my interest is a documentary called “Secret Mall Apartment.” The film tells the story of eight Rhode Islanders in 2003 who created a secret apartment in an actual functioning, busy mall and managed to somehow live there for four years. They were also able to film their experience! 

Some film festival guests who will appear on “Nite Lite” over the course of the next week or so include Marq Evans, whose documentary “The Diamond King” tells the story of baseball Hall of Fame artist Dick Perez who has painted every Hall of Fame inductee and continues to work into his senior year. “The Diamond King” screens at the Downer Theater on May 2. 

“AJ Goes to the Dog Park” is a surreal comedy with no shortage of laughs about an ordinary man living a simple life in Fargo, N.D. That is, until he learns his beloved dog park is no longer, which creates a snowball effect that sends his world into upheaval as he tries to get it back. Director Toby Jones and producer Ben Hanson appear on “Nite Lite” this week to discuss the film. 

On April 26, just the third day of the festival, Milwaukee film celebrates the 40th anniversary of “Desperately Seeking Susan” starring Madonna and Rosanna Arquette. After the ’80s hits screens, the crowd will be treated to a Q&A session with director Susan Seidelman.

Another film with a serious amount of quirk, at least in the title is “Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts.” This documentary investigates former iconic Pizza Hut restaurants with their unique look and uncovers what happened to the buildings and what businesses currently inhabit them.

Adding to the total movie-going experience are this year’s venues. Supplying unparalleled ambience for your moviegoing pleasure this year, will be the Downer Theater and of course, the majestic Oriental Theater. In addition to great movies, venues, and Q&As there are Happy Hour events that the festival offers, each offering different topics. One happy hour in particular offers a perfect opportunity to hear from the people trying to bring film incentives back to Wisconsin. May 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. head to the festival lounge at Triple Tap Room to learn more about the efforts of Action Wisconsin! and how everyone — not just those making films — will benefit.

For more information on the spectacular films playing at this year’s festival, venues or events, head to https://mkefilm.org/, pick your films, grab some tickets and go to the movies!