Sucky by Tommy Simms, Joe Ludwig
Wisconsin (World Premiere)
MSFF
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
2025 Voices Heard Film: Dreams Fuel Greatness
Dreams Fuel Greatness by Justin Jackson
Wisconsin
Dreams Fuel Greatness tells the story of a young athlete’s relentless pursuit of making it to the Show. Inspired by the journey of former professional baseball player and Director Justin Jackson, this film is more than just a reflection on baseball—it’s a celebration of the grind, resilience, and unwavering belief required to turn a dream into reality.
Set on the fields where aspirations are forged through sweat and sacrifice, Dreams Fuel Greatness follows a young Black athlete as he navigates the highs and lows of chasing his goal. Through powerful storytelling and striking visuals, the film highlights the dedication needed to push forward, even when the path is uncertain.
At a time when fewer young Black athletes are entering baseball, this film serves as both inspiration and a conversation starter—reminding athletes everywhere that the journey is just as important as the destination. While representation remains an underlying theme, the heart of Dreams Fuel Greatness is about the universal pursuit of excellence and the sacrifices made along the way.
Justin Jackson is the Co-Owner of Media Bolt Productions, born and raised in Asheville NC. He moved to Milwaukee in 2016.
Prior to Justin’s film career he played Professional Baseball for 10 years. At the end of his playing days he grabbed a camera to record coaching content for YouTube and fell in love with the craft. 3 years later he graduated cum Lade with a Bachelor’s of science degree in Digital Filmmaking from The Los Angeles Film School.
Being a Director and Cinematographer at heart Justin has written and Directed short films, shot music videos, and created corporate commercials and documentaries for brands like the Milwaukee Brewers & Northwest Mutual.
Running Time: 4 minutes
Sports/Inspirational
Sports/Inspirational
Saturday, September 6th 1PM
Avalon Atmospheric Theater
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Set on the fields where aspirations are forged through sweat and sacrifice, Dreams Fuel Greatness follows a young Black athlete as he navigates the highs and lows of chasing his goal. Through powerful storytelling and striking visuals, the film highlights the dedication needed to push forward, even when the path is uncertain.
At a time when fewer young Black athletes are entering baseball, this film serves as both inspiration and a conversation starter—reminding athletes everywhere that the journey is just as important as the destination. While representation remains an underlying theme, the heart of Dreams Fuel Greatness is about the universal pursuit of excellence and the sacrifices made along the way.
Director Bio:
 |
Prior to Justin’s film career he played Professional Baseball for 10 years. At the end of his playing days he grabbed a camera to record coaching content for YouTube and fell in love with the craft. 3 years later he graduated cum Lade with a Bachelor’s of science degree in Digital Filmmaking from The Los Angeles Film School.
Being a Director and Cinematographer at heart Justin has written and Directed short films, shot music videos, and created corporate commercials and documentaries for brands like the Milwaukee Brewers & Northwest Mutual.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
2025 Films: The Cormorant's Shadow
The Cormorant's Shadow by Barbara Peikert
Switzerland (World Premiere)
A funny cormorant relaxes on a buoy in the lake and watches an animation that reveals a plan behind it: AI or the urge to take part in the spectacle?
Running Time: 1 minute
Animation/ Experimental
Animation/ Experimental
Friday, September 5th 6PM
Avalon Atmospheric Theater
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
A funny cormorant relaxes on a buoy in the lake and watches an animation that reveals a plan behind it: AI or the urge to take part in the spectacle?
2025 Films: i hope you're happy.
i hope you're happy. by Gretchen Mahkorn
Wisconsin (World Premiere)
Wisconsin (World Premiere)
Running Time: 14 minutes
Drama/ Relationship/ Addiction
Drama/ Relationship/ Addiction
Friday, September 5th 8:15PM
Avalon Atmospheric Theater
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Under the shadow of the opioid crisis, four friends come together to grieve the loss of their friend to addiction. When more is revealed, tensions run high, anger and blame are reckoned with.
2025 Voices Heard Film: Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain
Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain by Hisonni Mustafa
Wisconsin (World Premiere)
From childhood dreams to Olympic triumphs, Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain unveils the resilience, sacrifice, and heart of an athlete whose pursuit of greatness redefined what it means to be a legend.
Hisonni Mustafa is a Guyanese American filmmaker hailing from the city of Milwaukee, WI, which has been labeled as one of the most segregated cities in America. With a remarkable range of skills, Hisonni has made significant contributions to the world of filmmaking as a writer, director, cinematographer, editor, and producer. He has successfully crowdfunded numerous projects, resulting in the creation of a dozen award-winning films.
Hisonni's work has garnered recognition from over 200 festivals, including renowned events such as Cinequest, Hollyshorts, Frameline, and Urbanworld. His short films and web series have collectively amassed more than six million views online, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. In acknowledgment of his talent, Hisonni's works have received award nominations from esteemed organizations like LA Webfest, The VH1 Streamy Awards, Marseille Webfest, The International Academy of Web Television Awards, and even Marvel's Stan Lee.
Among his notable achievements, Hisonni's independent film titled "Take Out Girl" can now be enjoyed on Hulu. This film has been bestowed with accolades from The Bentonville Film Festival, Dances With Films, Ashland Independent, Cinequest, and Indie Memphis. Furthermore, Hisonni's directorial skills have been recognized with the Best Director award at the American Black Film Festival and the HBO feature film competition at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. He was also honored as a Gemstones Rising Storyteller Search Finalist.
Continuing to make strides in his career, Hisonni was selected as a fellow of the 2023 Commercial Directors Diversity Program. In a remarkable feat, he became the first filmmaker from Nevada to secure victory in the prestigious $175,000 Cordillera Film Festival pitch fest.
Wisconsin (World Premiere)
Running Time: 16 minutes
Sports Documentary
Sports Documentary
Saturday, September 6th 1PM
Avalon Atmospheric Theater
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Director Bio:
Hisonni's work has garnered recognition from over 200 festivals, including renowned events such as Cinequest, Hollyshorts, Frameline, and Urbanworld. His short films and web series have collectively amassed more than six million views online, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. In acknowledgment of his talent, Hisonni's works have received award nominations from esteemed organizations like LA Webfest, The VH1 Streamy Awards, Marseille Webfest, The International Academy of Web Television Awards, and even Marvel's Stan Lee.
Among his notable achievements, Hisonni's independent film titled "Take Out Girl" can now be enjoyed on Hulu. This film has been bestowed with accolades from The Bentonville Film Festival, Dances With Films, Ashland Independent, Cinequest, and Indie Memphis. Furthermore, Hisonni's directorial skills have been recognized with the Best Director award at the American Black Film Festival and the HBO feature film competition at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. He was also honored as a Gemstones Rising Storyteller Search Finalist.
Continuing to make strides in his career, Hisonni was selected as a fellow of the 2023 Commercial Directors Diversity Program. In a remarkable feat, he became the first filmmaker from Nevada to secure victory in the prestigious $175,000 Cordillera Film Festival pitch fest.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
2025 Films: Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs
Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs by Amber Rose McNeill
Wisconsin
Running Time: 11 minutes
Horror/ LGBTQ+/ Queer Cinema
Horror/ LGBTQ+/ Queer Cinema
Saturday, September 6th 4:15PM
Avalon Atmospheric Theater
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Everything in Amile’s life is the same dull note. He’s bored with his job, his friends, himself… that is, until he meets the doting Andrew on an online dating app. Amile quickly falls head over heels for a man he’s never met, seen, or spoken to. A modern fable about the delirium and disillusionment that can accompany dating in the digital age.
Amber Rose McNeill (he/him/hers) is a queer Australian Film Director, Intimacy Coordinator, Editor, and Film Programmer based in Wisconsin. He is also an Educator, teaching Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with a research focus in gendered violence in film and media, as well as queer cinema.
Her directing work centers around challenging social attitudes towards normative sexuality and traditional gender roles. As well as the critique of violence in film and media, and the interplay between the production and consumption of violent media within Western culture. Her scope of practice incorporates digital, 16mm, 8mm, and sampled media within the genres of feminist horror, queer cinema, experimental documentary, and social commentary.
Amber Rose has been an Intimacy Coordinator since 2017 with a specialization in queer cinema, the horror genre, and scenes that deal with elements of violence.
Amber Rose has been editing since 2020, having developed her own style of editing that he has coined, “choreographical editing”. This editing style is inspired by rhythmic editing, smash cuts, and dance theory, approaching the edit much like composing a piece of music or choreographing movement.
Amber Rose is the Founder, Festival Director, and Lead Programmer of Milwaukee Illuminate Film Festival (miff.). An underground, intersectional film festival which highlights the work of marginalized and underrepresented voices in film, video, and the cinematic arts.
As a queer filmmaker I wanted to make a horror film where the default heteronormative relationship was discarded and a gay couple inhabited the lead roles. Not as a major statement about queerness within the film’s narrative, but rather for their queerness to be a natural part of the characters.
My aim with Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs was to create fully developed queer characters that interact and relate to each other in a genuine way with nuanced, idiosyncratic and at times flawed personality traits.
Queer horror is slowly making its way into mainstream horror cinema, but queer horror films are still primarily written and directed by cisgender, heterosexual men rather than being created by queer filmmakers. There is also often the issue of straight men being cast in queer roles, which is why it was important to me to cast queer actors for this film.
Essentially, I wanted to make a short horror film that comments on the risks associated with meeting people in the digital age. Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs also dips into the loneliness that internet hookup culture creates and the ways in which we can often ignore the red flagged realities within online relationships because we are so starved for intimacy in real life.
Director Bio:
 |
Her directing work centers around challenging social attitudes towards normative sexuality and traditional gender roles. As well as the critique of violence in film and media, and the interplay between the production and consumption of violent media within Western culture. Her scope of practice incorporates digital, 16mm, 8mm, and sampled media within the genres of feminist horror, queer cinema, experimental documentary, and social commentary.
Amber Rose has been an Intimacy Coordinator since 2017 with a specialization in queer cinema, the horror genre, and scenes that deal with elements of violence.
Amber Rose has been editing since 2020, having developed her own style of editing that he has coined, “choreographical editing”. This editing style is inspired by rhythmic editing, smash cuts, and dance theory, approaching the edit much like composing a piece of music or choreographing movement.
Amber Rose is the Founder, Festival Director, and Lead Programmer of Milwaukee Illuminate Film Festival (miff.). An underground, intersectional film festival which highlights the work of marginalized and underrepresented voices in film, video, and the cinematic arts.
Director's Statement:
My aim with Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs was to create fully developed queer characters that interact and relate to each other in a genuine way with nuanced, idiosyncratic and at times flawed personality traits.
Queer horror is slowly making its way into mainstream horror cinema, but queer horror films are still primarily written and directed by cisgender, heterosexual men rather than being created by queer filmmakers. There is also often the issue of straight men being cast in queer roles, which is why it was important to me to cast queer actors for this film.
Essentially, I wanted to make a short horror film that comments on the risks associated with meeting people in the digital age. Andrew Ginger/Likes Dogs also dips into the loneliness that internet hookup culture creates and the ways in which we can often ignore the red flagged realities within online relationships because we are so starved for intimacy in real life.
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