Milwaukee Film Festival Kicks Off Today

 The fifth annual Milwaukee Film Festival opens Thursday night with a U.S. Premiere film and the Milwaukee debut of a New York-based band.

The festivities begin Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Landmark Oriental Theatre with the Opening Night Film Break Up Man, and continuing immediately afterward with the Opening Night party at Discovery World from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Headlining this year’s Opening Night Party is the highly energetic Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who make their Milwaukee debut as part of this year’s Opening Night performers. Also scheduled to perform are Evan Christian, DJ Bizzon (WMSE 91.7FM), members of the Florentine Opera, members of Dead Man’s Carnival, DJ Madhatter (88Nine Radio Milwaukee), and visuals from Video Villains.

The 2013 Milwaukee Film Festival runs through Oct. 10 at the Landmark Oriental Theatre, Landmark Downer Theatre, and Fox Bay Cinema Grill. Tickets and passes are currently available online at mkefilm.org, by phone (414-727-8468), or in person at two of the festival box offices.

For complete ticket information, visit mkefilm.org/ticketing.

A previously unannounced addition to this year’s film festival is the appearance of Elaine Stritch, a Broadway legend whom television audiences will recognize for her Emmy-winning role as Alec Baldwin’s mother on 30 Rock. Stritch is scheduled to appear at the one-night-only screening of the aptly titled Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me–a documentary about her life featured in the festival’s Spotlight Presentations program. 

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me will screen Sunday, September 29, 7 PM at the Landmark Oriental Theatre. 

“To see a documentary, then hear from its subject immediately afterward, is one of those rare and wonderful experiences that a film festival can provide,” explained Jonathan Jackson, Artistic & Executive Director of Milwaukee Film. “But to have that subject be a bonafide legend like Elaine Stritch is humbling. We’re honored to have her as a guest at this year’s festival.”