Welcome to the
Milwaukee Independent Film Awards, a vibrant celebration dedicated to the indomitable spirit of independent filmmakers. Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, our festival is more than an event; it's a movement championing the dreams and aspirations of independent storytellers who dare to express their unique visions through the art of cinema.

**Mission:**

Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the film industry, providing a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their talents, share their stories, and connect with like-minded creatives. The Milwaukee Independent Film Awards is committed to fostering a community where filmmakers can thrive, encouraging the growth of the film industry in Wisconsin and beyond.

**What Sets Us Apart:**

**A Celebration of Independent Spirit:** At the heart of the Milwaukee Independent Film Awards is the celebration of independence in storytelling. We honor the creative freedom, resilience, and innovation that independent filmmakers embody.

**Focus on Wisconsin Talent:** While we welcome submissions from around the globe, a special emphasis is placed on uplifting and recognizing the exceptional talent within Wisconsin. Our goal is to spotlight local filmmakers and create more opportunities for industry work in the area.

**Diverse Categories & Awards:** Our award categories are designed to recognize excellence across a wide spectrum of filmmaking disciplines, from directing and cinematography to acting, screenwriting, and beyond. Special awards will also highlight films that best capture the spirit of Wisconsin.

**Advancing Industry Growth:** Beyond celebrating achievements, the Milwaukee Independent Film Awards is committed to advocating for more industry work and opportunities in Wisconsin. Through partnerships, sponsorships, and community engagement, we aim to contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of the region.

- **Awards Ceremony:** Join us for a night of glamour and celebration as we honor the remarkable achievements of independent filmmakers with awards that recognize their creativity, dedication, and impact.

Whether you're a filmmaker, a cinephile, or an advocate for the arts, the Milwaukee Independent Film Awards invites you to be part of this extraordinary celebration of independent cinema. Together, let's champion the stories that move us, challenge us, and have the power to bring about change.

Let's make history together and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in filmmaking. Welcome to the Milwaukee Independent Film Awards – where every story's spirit matters.

Festival Format:

Our general format for the festival will be:

November 16th -
10am-4pm at UWM Union Cinema - Opening Ceremonies, followed by screenings and filmmaker Q&A
November 17th -
11am-4pm at Schubert Hartford Theaters - Screenings and Q&A
4-6pm Break to move to The Bend Theater
6:00 Settled at The Bend
6:30-10pm Final Screenings
10pm-Midnight at Restaurant Across the street - Awards and Closing Ceremonies

Awards & Prizes

The Milwaukee Independent Spirit Feature Film Award - $200 - Wisconsin Resident Filmmakers only
The Milwaukee Independent Spirit Short Film Award - $100 - Wisconsin Resident Filmmakers only

Best Feature Film Awards
Best Director Awards
Best Writer Awards
Best Editor Awards
Best Music Awards
Best Actor/Actress Awards
Best Supporting Actor/Actress Awards
Best Cinematographer Awards
--
Best Short Film Awards
Best Director Awards
Best Writer Awards
Best Editor Awards
Best Music Awards
Best Actor/Actress Awards
Best Supporting Actor/Actress Awards
Best Cinematographer Awards

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film, take note that:

- You agree to let us use parts of your film, the trailer, teaser, film poster, and/or stills, for promotion.
- The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, including the music.
- Entry fees can't be refunded.
- Filmmakers can submit multiple entries, and each entry can be in different categories.
- Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
- Scripts must be in English and properly formatted.
- Only submissions via FilmFreeway are accepted.
- Film Selection does not guarantee screening.
- UWM submissions does not guarantee Selection status.
- Submitting to this festival means agreement to all of the above terms and conditions.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angela Andronache

    Thank you for hosting a great event and for honoring my short film with an award. It was a pleasure connecting with fellow filmmakers!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    So thrilled you could make it from Florida! Glad you enjoyed the event and meeting other filmmakers!

  • Luca Perone

    It was a real pleasure to cross the borders of Europe and arrive in the United States in this case in Milwaukee and participate in the prestigious and competent MIFA Film Festival of the very nice Director Ezekiel Drews with my screenplay He Was My Grandfather and even more an honor having won in my category with an honorable mention, being appreciated and praised for your work gives you great esteem and above all great pride, I hope to repay their trust as soon as possible by bringing a great film to the big screen ...He Was My Grandfather.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the review, Luca! Looking forward to scheduling our interview to promote your script soon!

  • Breana Greene

    Milwaukee Independent Film Awards is truly a gem among the independent film festival community. Festival Director Ezekiel Drews and his crew deserves a huge shoutout for their overall communication, professionalism, and kindness throughout this film festival. My film was handled with care and understanding and I couldn't recommend them enough for any other independent filmmakers. Thank you again for giving my precious film, Agent X, a nominee status. It means a lot to me.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the review, Breana! We were happy to screen your film at our inaugural event!

  • Daniel Wheeler

    The Milwaukee Independent Film Awards was an exceptional event! The festival's inaugural goals went from modest to momentous as they ended up coordinating a three-day event of screenings across multiple venues backed by UW-Milwaukee and corporate sponsorships. I felt honored to watch my short film, "The Last Witch in Wisconsin," screen at The Bend Theater - the fully renovated art déco gem of West Bend. The directors organized an amazing festival and I look forward to watching it grow in prominence as an advocate for independent filmmaking.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Daniel! We are looking forward to growing this festival, and glad we could share “The Last Witch in Wisconsin”, especially Karen’s performance, with a large crowd at The Bend! We appreciate your support for our inaugural event!

  • Tom Hunley

    I can't believe this was their first festival. Ezekiel and his team were incredibly energetic. I've never seen such care given to the goal of drawing attention to films. In addition to the in-person festival, there were a bajillion Instagram posts, and they even wrote up reviews of a lot of the films, including You're Not Alone -- the first published review of the short. I definitely hope to be back with my next short film, Awesomistic.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the review, Dr. Hunley! I’m glad you had a great time. It was awesome to meet you and host your Q&A. I’m very interested in seeing your next project, and that feature that was optioned off your short film! Congrats to your team again for all their work!