Wisconsin Film Festival to screen 108 films

The 2001 Wisconsin Film Festival announces its full line-up for the 2001 Fest in Madison, March 29-April 1.

Last year, the festival featured 70 films and 40 filmmakers, and was hailed by the media as a “stunning” success, a “star performance,” a “remarkable sophomore year” and “a vital forum for community-unifying art.”

Now in its third year, the festival line-up is even more ambitious, featuring 108 films, videos or new media works representing 21 countries around the globe. Audiences can choose from more than 80 different events — screenings, talks and panels-with more than 60 visiting filmmakers, speakers, panelists (at least half homegrown in Wisconsin).

Program highlights include premieres of award-winning films from major festivals, “Light in the East: New Asian Cinema,” the D.FILM Digital Film Festival 2001 World Tour, “A Well-Spent Life: The Cinema of Les Blank,” a European film series and films by Wisconsin filmmakers.

Once again, the festival lets Wisconsin filmmakers shine in the “Wisconsin’s Own” programs, featuring more than 20 recent films — feature films, documentaries and shorts — made by filmmakers with Wisconsin ties, many in juried competition.

And more than just movies, the festival provides the opportunity to meet the filmmakers, writers, producers and people behind the scenes, to find out what they do, and why and how they do it.