2023 Season Calendar:

Shorts program theme highlights of 2023:

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Women & Gender Non-Conforming Filmmakers Night:
Our 14th annual celebration of creators identifying as female and gender non-conforming will showcase the work from historically underrepresented genders. The evening is dedicated to their stories, imagination, perspectives, and craft.

Advertising Community Night:

Get ready to experience the ultimate creative spectacle at the Midwest Film Festival's 9th annual Advertising Community Night! Come and witness the magic of The Midwest's vibrant advertising scene. This showcase has everything from heartwarming storytelling to mind-blowing special effects to captivating commercial masterpieces! To qualify, you must be a working professional in the advertising industry. Your film can be a passion project, commercial, or something in between! So, whether you're a director, a production company, or an ad agency, submit your best work and show us what you've got. Just make sure you have all the necessary permissions and consents in place.

Analog Night:
An epic revival of creating using classic cinema mediums is emerging in the Midwest filmmaking community. This style of (partially or entirely) analog filmmaking is both nostalgic for its viewers and very challenging to master for its creators. This evening will celebrate and highlight analog film and analog film enthusiasts. [Note: Digital Projection]

Emerging Filmmaker Night:
We are committed to fostering the "up and coming" filmmakers of the Midwest. This theme night will highlight 10 films from creators in the first decade of their careers (10 under 10). Whether still attending film school or pursuing a lifelong desire to enter the film industry - they have arrived and are now an integral part of our community. This is their work.