Heads up, Milwaukee: the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival—which takes over the Landmark Oriental Theatre, Landmark Downer Theatre, Fox-Bay Cinema Grill, Times Cinema, and Avalon Theater September 28-October 12—is just over a month away. So who better to talk to in the weeks leading up to the fest than Milwaukee Film’s artistic and executive director, Jonathan Jackson? Host Matt Wild met up with Jackson at the not-so-bustling Shops of Grand Avenue food court to chat about the ninth installment of the festival, Milwaukee Film’s multi-pronged mission statement, and, oh yeah, the organization’s upcoming takeover of the Oriental Theatre. What will change? What will stay the same? Will they be showing stuff like Avengers 12 and Thor 7? (Answer: no.) Jackson and Wild also discuss Milwaukee’s nascent film industry, UWM, weird Stan Brakhage movies, and the time they shared a bed together in Cleveland.

This episode is brought to you by Surly Brewing, who, along with Milwaukee Record, is co-sponsoring the P.O.S. show at Cactus Club on Monday, September 11. It’s also brought to you by Marcus Center’s Live at Peck concert, dance, and film series that runs from July 29 through August 26. Music comes courtesy of Piles (“Blue Glue”) and 2017 Milwaukee Music Video Show inductees The Fatty Acids (“Strangers”). Subscribe to On The Record via iTunes or Stitcher (for free!).