Beginning in January, the Oriental Theatre will offer a month-long screening of independent cinema with a series called Indie Breakouts while also kicking off a six-month-long program of environmentally conscious films with Let’s Dig In.
The retrospective of independent cinema will coincide with the annual Sundance Film Festival and feature several breakout films from well-known directors.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
“As we look forward to the flashy premieres at this year’s Sundance Film Festival at the end of January, we wanted to have our own celebration of indie cinema right here at the Oriental Theatre,” Milwaukee Film Programming Director Kerstin Larson said. “Enjoy the breakout films from some of our favorite current filmmakers, back when they were still up and coming.”
Indie Breakouts will include films such as “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” from director Jane Schoenbrun, whose 2024 hit “I Saw the TV Glow” took the film world by storm, the rambunctious sleeper hit “Dinner in America,” and the Milwaukee-based 1999 cult-classic documentary “American Movie.” A full lineup of films will be available at mkefilm.org.
Let’s Dig In is focused on films centered around the environment. Throughout the first half of 2025, Milwaukee Film will partnering with Beyond Organic 777, a nonprofit organization focused on healthy food education, to offer audiences the opportunity to connect with nature through cinema, have meaningful post-film discussions with environmental experts and even experience a farmers’ market in the Oriental Theatre lobby.
Milwaukee Film Artistic Director Cara Ogburn said Let’s Dig In explores the planet’s ecosystems and the importance of sustainability.
“With these immersive documentaries, we intend to highlight the connection between humanity and nature, showcasing innovative solutions and inspiring resilience,” Ogburn said.
The full Let’s Dig In film lineup is as follows. All films start at noon:
- “The Need to Grow” – Jan. 4
- “Kiss the Ground” – Jan. 18
- “The Garden” – 1
- “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution” – Feb. 15
- “The Biggest Little Farm” – March 1
- “The Grab” – March 15
- “The Story of Plastic” – March 29
- “Common Ground” – April 12
- “Food, Inc. 2” – May 10
- “Lakota Nation vs. United States” – May 24 5/24
- “32 Sounds” – June 7
- “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” – June 21
