Milwaukee Film releases initial 2026 festival lineup, opening with Bob Uecker documentary at Oriental Theatre
Festival dates and venues
Milwaukee Film has outlined key early details for the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival, scheduled to run April 16–30, 2026, on Milwaukee’s East Side. Screenings are set for the Oriental Theatre and the Downer Theatre, the two primary venues used for the event.
The organization is positioning the 2026 edition as its 18th annual Milwaukee Film Festival. The festival’s public-facing guide also sets a staggered ticket timeline: individual tickets are slated to go on sale online April 6 for members and April 8 for the general public, with in-person sales at the Oriental Theatre beginning April 10.
Opening night: a documentary centered on Bob Uecker
The festival’s opening-night selection is Ueck, a feature-length documentary about longtime Milwaukee baseball broadcaster, comedian and actor Bob Uecker. The film is directed by Steve Farr and Michael T. Vollmann and is scheduled to screen at the Oriental Theatre as the festival’s opening-night event.
Plans connected to the opening-night screening include an “Opening Night Neighborhood Crawl,” with participating venues listed as Vier North, Von Trier, Landmark Lanes, Wayfinder MKE and Nadi Plates.
Milwaukee Film has also indicated that Ueck is expected to receive a broader theatrical release later in summer 2026, with additional details to be announced.
Centerpiece and closing-night selections
Milwaukee Film has identified the festival’s centerpiece and closing-night titles as part of the same rollout.
The Big Cheese, directed by Sarah Joe Wolansky (2025), has been named the festival’s centerpiece screening. The documentary is set in the competitive world of international cheesemongering and follows an effort tied to the Mondial du Fromage competition in France.
Power Ballad, directed by John Carney (2026), has been selected for closing night. The film stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.
Programming signals: local work, repertory titles, and event screenings
As it begins to publish program components ahead of April, Milwaukee Film has emphasized a mix that includes Milwaukee-area filmmaking alongside international and U.S. titles. Early festival materials describe a slate that will include world premieres, “early sneak peeks,” and repertory programming.
Among the event-style screenings highlighted in the first lineup announcement are a return engagement of Jonathan Demme’s 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense as a dance-party screening, and a one-night presentation of Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent comedy The General with live musical accompaniment by the Anvil Orchestra to mark the film’s 100th anniversary.
Context: Downer Theatre ownership and renovation timeline
The 2026 festival will take place as Milwaukee Film advances longer-term plans for the Downer Theatre. The nonprofit has stated it purchased the Downer on February 27, 2026, and is pursuing a multi-year capital campaign with the goal of beginning construction in 2028. Plans described for the venue include accessibility upgrades, lobby and bathroom renovations, and the addition of 35mm projection capability.