Annual Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival Returns 10/21-24

The Peck School of the Arts Film Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is pleased to announce dates for the year-round Milwaukee Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual (LGBT) Film/Video Festival, made possible thanks to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Johnson & Pabst LGBT Humanity Fund. As one of Wisconsin's longest running film festivals, the 23rd annual LGBT Festival will open on Thursday, October 21 in Milwaukee's signature Oriental Theatre, with additional film showings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the UWM Union Theatre. New this season, the Festival will continue throughout the year with film events on the first Thursday night of almost every month at the UWM Union Theatre.

"There is still a short supply of LGBT images and stories on the big screen locally," says Festival director Carl Bogner, of the UWM Peck School of the Arts Film Department. "This new format allows us an opportunity to showcase LGBT films and videos - new and classic - all year long while still hosting a Festival that remains one of the annual highlights for the LGBT and film-loving communities. And, we will have even more opportunities to partner with community groups while working to present an even richer selection of films that reflect the diversity of our community and the diverse accomplishments of international film culture."

At a Festival kick-off meeting in early May at the home of Festival supporter and Milwaukee philanthropist Joseph Pabst, leaders from the LGBT community enthusiastically embraced the new format. "I always look forward to the annual LGBT Film/Video Festival and am really excited to now have film screenings almost every month, in addition to four compact days of films in October," says Pabst. "The Festival is a true highlight for the LGBT community and Wisconsin in general."

The Festival is co-sponsored by UWM Union Programming, the UWM LGBT Resource Center, the UWM LGBT Studies Certificate Program, the UWM Women's Resource Center and other supportive individuals, businesses, and campus and community organizations. Up-to-date information about the Festival, films, dates, and general information can be found at arts.uwm.edu/lgbtfilm.

Event and Ticket Details
The Festival will take place from October 21-24; confirmed dates for monthly films are November 4 and December 2, with additional dates forthcoming. More information about prices and purchase locations for festival passes and tickets will be available this summer.