The 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival drew record attendance over its 15-day run with more than 64,000 attendees among its public film screenings, private education screenings, panel discussions and parties.
This year’s attendance figures reflect a 16 percent increase in overall attendance from last year, which attracted more than 55,000 people, according to lead organizer Milwaukee Film, a nonprofit cultural institution and film advocate.
In its sixth year, the 2014 festival featured 275 films from more than 60 countries at the Landmark Oriental Theatre, the Landmark Downer Theatre, the Fox-Bay Cinema Grill and the Times Cinema.
The festival, which played out Sept. 25 through Oct. 9, topped out with 72 sold-out screenings, up from 64 in 2013.
“The festival is a tremendous community undertaking that would absolutely not be possible without our generous sponsors, passionate community partners, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers and staff who work together tirelessly to create such an incredible 15-day experience,” said Jonathan Jackson, artistic and executive director for Milwaukee Film. “But, most of all, it’s our enthusiastic audience who attend day after day that make our city’s festival possible.”
Additional 2014 festival highlights included the appearance of a record 108 visiting filmmakers, jurors, panelists and other film professionals – including an appearance by Oscar winning filmmaker John Ridley, of “12 Years a Slave” during the screening of his latest film, “Jimi: All Is By My Side” on Sept. 27.
Before closing the festival on Oct. 9, Milwaukee Film announced 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival Allan H. and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award recipients. “Alive Inside” by Michael Rossato-Bennett won in the feature film category, and “The Numberlys” by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg” was declared winner of the short film category.
