On Monday, Milwaukee Film CEO/Artistic Director Jonathan Jackson issued a statement on the status of the 2020 Milwaukee Film Festival, tentatively scheduled for October. “The question on everyone’s mind has been what our Milwaukee Film Festival will look like this fall,” Jackson writes. “The short answer? We don’t know yet.”

Though details have yet to be announced, Jackson says that “the likelihood of us holding a 15-day, in-person event on the scale of our record-breaking MFF2019 this fall is exceedingly low.” However, he adds this: “One thing is certain: We are committed to holding a film festival experience this fall. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, and we’ll find a way to make this a true community event.”

Here’s the full statement:

The world of film is where the most fantastical things come to life and outrageous versions of society are created.

And yet, for the last few months, the strangeness of our own world has far exceeded any film-based fiction.

As we all grapple with the direct and indirect effects of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve been incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received for Milwaukee Film. To keep our mission going, we’ve been stretching ourselves and creating new ways to keep our community together in film.

The question on everyone’s mind has been what our Milwaukee Film Festival will look like this fall. The short answer? We don’t know yet.

We’ve been exploring virtual platforms that can help you experience Festival-caliber films and events from your home. We’ve been sketching out what limited in-person events might look like with safety-based restrictions in place.

The likelihood of us holding a 15-day, in-person event on the scale of our record-breaking MFF2019 this fall is exceedingly low. The realities of our current public health situation and the projections experts have offered for the coming months are clear on that point.

One thing is certain: We are committed to holding a film festival experience this fall. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, and we’ll find a way to make this a true community event.

We’ve watched as other film festivals have been required to cancel their annual events at the last minute, after investing incredible amounts of time and money into their planning. That’s the last thing we want to happen for Milwaukee Film.

We are working on the best way to be good stewards of your financial support for our nonprofit, to serve our community, and to still deliver a Festival experience.

Details won’t be ready for a little while as we continue this planning process, but when our plans are set, be assured that you’ll hear it straight from us.

We cannot thank you enough for your loyal support, and we hope that – someday soon – we’ll see you in person at the movies.

All the best,
Jonathan Jackson, CEO/Artistic Director
Milwaukee Film

Want to support Milwaukee Film in the meantime? Check out its new Sofa Cinema HERE.