Wisconsin Film Festival finalizes lineup

The 2002 Wisconsin Film Festival announces its full lineup for the April 4-7 festival in Madison.

A public program of the UW–Madison Arts Institute, the festival will feature 138 films, including 41 narrative features and 21 documentary features, and more than a dozen panels and talks. The films will be shown during four days in six venues in downtown Madison and on the UW–Madison campus.

The international lineup features films from 20 countries, including a number shot in Israel, Iran, Afghanistan and Palestine, along with 55 films from major and emerging filmmakers with Wisconsin ties.

Program highlights include the Midwest premiere of “Thirteen Conversations About One Thing,” written and directed by Jill Sprecher and her sister Karen Sprecher (both Madison natives), and the Wisconsin premiere of “Big Bad Love,” with star and producer Debra Winger and co-writer/director/star Arliss Howard, Winger’s husband, appearing in person.

Additional highlights include a tribute to Israeli director Amos Gitai, a showcase of new cinema from Quebec, world cinema including “Promises,” an Oscar-nominated documentary about the Mideast conflict through the eyes of children, the Midwest premieres of the acclaimed Inuit film “The Fast Runner” and Milwaukee filmmaker Chris Smith’s latest documentary, “Home Movie.”

Advance ticket package went on sale March 7; advance single ticket sales, Thursday, March 21. For information, call the festival hotline, (877) 963-FILM.

2002 Wisconsin Film Festival Ticketing Facts

Getting tickets for a four-day event with more than 100 programs takes some planning for best results. This information will help your readers make the most of their festival experience.

For complete schedule, film lineup, ticket and ticket package order form, ordering instructions and box office hours are on the Web.
Those who lack Web access can call (877) 963-FILM and ask for a printed schedule and order forms. Printed schedules are not available until Thursday, March 14.
Advance ticket purchase is recommended for best film selection and to avoid sold-out shows. Advance ticket packages are on sale through Wednesday, April 3. Advance single ticket sales begin Thursday, March 21, and end April 3. When available, tickets will be sold at the door of showings April 4-7.
Ticket prices range from as little as $4 for students to $50 for the Alpha ticket package. To buy advance tickets or ticket packages, you need to select films and talks, fill out an order form, and submit the order form with payment to the box office. Visit the festival Web site or use a printed schedule to select your films and talks, and fill out an order form before contacting the box office.
The ticket box office is the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office annex room second floor, UW–Madison Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison, WI, 53706. Festival ticket sales phone: (608) 265-2933 or (608) 262-5981. Fax: (608) 262-5869. The box office is closed Sundays.