Midwest Independent Film Festival
The Midwest Independent Film Festival is the nation’s only film festival solely dedicated to the Midwest filmmaker. Only films from the eight-state Midwest region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin are considered for screening. This film festival is also unique in that it is held throughout the year, presenting audiences with the finest independent films from the Midwest every first Tuesday of the month.
The Midwest Independent Film Festival prides itself on showcasing emerging directors, powerful artistic visions, and strong cinematic stories. These exceptional films combine with an exciting social atmosphere and a state-of-the-art screening venue to create one of the premier festivals in the Midwest.
The Midwest Independent Film Festival is hosted every first Tuesday of the month at Chicago's Landmark Century Centre Cinema of Landmark Theatres. Sponsors include Resolution Digital Studios, Zacuto, Fletcher Chicago, Orbit Media Studios, O'Connor Casting, Flashpoint The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, Zipcar, The Chicago Film Office, The Illinois Film Office, Zaroban Design, Crunch Fitness, Getty Images, Screen Magazine and Kodak.
This festival is sometimes referred to as "The Midwest Film Festival," "The Midwest Indie," or simply "The Midwest."
Festival Highlights
- The World Premiere of the comedy Osso Bucco, starring Illeana Douglas and Mike Starr opened the 2008 festival
- The Midwest Premiere of Sundance Film Festival doc Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon, featuring Will Shortz
- The Midwest Premiere of Cinequest Film Festival Best Documentary winner Indestructible, directed by Ben Byer
- Controversial thriller Death of a President, winner of the International Film Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival favorite Steel City, written and directed by Alton, IL native Brian Jun, starring Tom Guiry, America Ferrera and Steppenwolf ensemble member Laurie Metcalf
- Acclaimed documentary Rock the Bells, which chronicled the final stage performance of all nine original members of the Wu-Tang Clan, four months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.
- The World Premiere of Cop Show, starring Tracy Letts and David Pasquesi
- The Midwest Premiere of Sugar Mountain, directed by Aaron Himelstein
- The World Premiere of Following Paula, starring Justina Machado
- The Festival Premiere of Dirty Work, directed by Bruce Terris, starring Lance Reddick, Michael McGlone and Austin Pendleton
- The Chicago Premiere of The Godfather of Green Bay, starring Tony Goldwyn, Lauren Holly, Mark Borchardt, Lance Barber and Pete Schwaba, who also wrote and directed the film.
History
This film festival was founded by Chicago actor Mike McNamara and filmmaker Michael Kwielford in 2004 . In November of 2017 Mike McNamara stepped down as director due to repeated and widespread incidents of sexual harassment and intimidation . In July 2018, Amy Guth was named the new executive director of the festival .