From Sept. 18-21, the Oriental and Downer theaters will screen over 30 non-fiction features and short film programs for its second annual Dialogues Documentary Festival. From social crises to scientific discovery, the festival will cover a wide range of themes and subject matter. The lineup is meant to foster discussions in the community about issues directly affecting Milwaukee. To facilitate this, a majority of the screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions or open panel discussions.
Cara Ogburn, the artistic director of Milwaukee Film, shared five of her must-see movies at this year’s festival.
1. Arrest the Midwife
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19 AT 5:30 P.M. | DOWNER THEATRE
Taking place in rural New York, the film follows a group of criminalized midwives and Mennonite women fighting for reproductive justice. The documentary – directed by Elaine Epstein who will be participating in a Q&A afterward – highlights discussions of bodily autonomy, but from an unconventional and notoriously private perspective. This film is also Milwaukee Film’s September pick for its ongoing “Cinematic Sisterhood” series, a program highlighting women directors.
“Here you get to see a different population that is also affected by this kind of narrowed access to reproductive health care,” Ogburn says.
2. The Tallest Dwarf
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 AT 1:30 P.M. | ORIENTAL THEATRE
The film follows director Julie Wyman as she tells her own story of living with genetic dwarfism. Struggling to find her place within the community, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through collaboration with those sharing her condition. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.
“It’s a film that gives you insight into an underrepresented group of people,” says Ogburn. “But it also makes visible their humanity and the way they want to tell their own story.”
3. Shorts: Silver Linings
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 AT 3 P.M. | DOWNER THEATRE
This program is one of three short film showcases at the festival. A celebration of all things having to do with aging, the short film lineup is meant to teach that wrinkles, graying hair and slower bodies are signs of an exciting chapter that’s not to be feared, but anticipated. There will be four films screening: Angelita, Houston’s Whitebeam, Mercedes and Thanks, Babs!
Ogburn says that these films “see aging as something that is a privilege and a joy, honoring the wisdom of these elders.”
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
4. All God’s Children
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 AT 6:30 P.M. | ORIENTAL THEATRE
Director Ondi Timoner tells the story of her sister, a rabbi in Brooklyn, and the coalition she formed with a Black Baptist reverend. Through their interfaith collaboration, the two are able to tackle issues that affect both their racial and religious communities.
“In Milwaukee, we have a really strong kind of interfaith coalition,” Ogburn says. “This film is an opportunity for folks to hear more about how they can get involved – and also what that looks like in a time where religious and racial persecution are top of mind.”
5. Just Sing
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 AT 7:30 P.M. | ORIENTAL THEATRE
The SoCal VoCals are the oldest a cappella group at the University of Southern California. In this documentary, directors Abraham Troen and Angelique Molina capture the team’s hectic season as they try to take their sixth national title. Keeping the film’s energy going, UW-Milwaukee’s a cappella group, Public Hearing, will perform after the screening.
“[The film’s] got everything you ever wanted to know about glee,” Ogburn says. “It’s almost like a sports documentary film in terms of following them along as they compete through a season and prepare for nationals.”
To see the rest of the festival lineup and purchase tickets or passes, visit the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival website.
