Wisconsin Film Festival
The Wisconsin Film Festival begins Thursday, April 12 and runs through Sunday. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, you better get on-line to see what's left. (I checked it out --- there's lots of good stuff left!)
Go to: www.wifilmfest.org . Tickets are $7; $4 for students (you'll need a student I.D.)
If you don't have time to purchase your tickets on-line, there will be some "Day of Show" tickets, but no guarantees on availability. To purchase tickets on the day of the show, go to the individual theater box office where the movie you want to see is being shown.
And, hey, if the movie you want to see is already sold out, but you were really, really hoping to catch it, try the "rush" line. It turns out that not everyone uses the tickets they have purchased or were given free (this usually applies to the filmmakers), so sometimes last minute seats become available. Each theater will have a rush-ticket line that is separate from the ticket-holders line. To take advantage of the rush line, you'll want to show up at least a half-hour before show-time (earlier if it's a popular movie). When all the advance ticket holders have been seated, festival volunteers will count the empty seats and then sell last-minute tickets to those waiting in the rush line. Of course, there are no guarantees you'll get in, but a surprising number of last minute film goers get to see the films they want.
This year's four day event is boasting 182 films in nine theaters around Madison. Many of them will feature filmmaker Q&A's at the time of the showing. There are also a couple of FREE events to take advantage of.
One is the Hollywood Badgers Panel -- Saturday, April 14 from 1-3pm at the Pyle Center on the UW campus (corner of Lake and Langdon Sts.). This is a great opportunity to get the scoop on what it's like working in Hollywood directly from Wisconsin ex-pats. The free panel-style discussion promises information, advice, and networking opportunities.
Movie trivia buffs --- check out the Cineplexity Tournament at the Steep & Brew Coffee Shop (544 State Street), Saturday, April 14 from 3-5pm. It's free, too.
And, if you like to schmooze, you're invited to the after parties, hosted by the Café Montmartre, on Friday and Saturday nights, beginning at 9pm. $10 at the door (need to be 21 or over).
For more specific info on all these events and for a complete list of the movies and their availablity go to: www.wifilmfest.org .
