Milwaukee Film President and CEO Jonathan Jackson announced on Tuesday that he has resigned from the organization he has led for nearly 16 years.
Anne Reed, former president and CEO of the Wisconsin Humane Society, will serve as Milwaukee Film’s interim CEO and will lead the organization and navigate day-to-day elements of the leadership transition while a national search for Jackson’s permanent replacement takes place.
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“It’s a bittersweet decision” Jackson said. “Milwaukee Film has been a huge part of my life and I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to catalyze the power of film and help build this vital Milwaukee institution from scratch. It’s been an incredible journey and I couldn’t be more thankful to the many mentors, supporters and colleagues that have worked tirelessly by my side to bring this dream to fruition. However, it is now time for me to begin a new chapter.”
Jackson, who will now be recognized as founding artistic director, began his tenure with Milwaukee Film as artistic director upon the organization’s founding in 2008 by Chris Abele, along with Bill and Carmen Haberman of the Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation. Jackson was appointed executive director in 2009.
In 2023, Milwaukee Film held its 15th annual film festival, fully returning to large, in-person audiences, visiting guests and sold-out screenings. The organization is also known for its year-round educational offerings for teachers and students as well as a widely respected professional development curriculum, awards programming and funding opportunities for Milwaukee filmmakers.
“We, too, are bittersweet with Jonathan’s decision to move on, but we are incredibly grateful for everything he has done to take Milwaukee Film from its infancy to one of the most recognized and well-respected film organizations in the country,” Milwaukee Film Board Chairwoman Susan Mikulay said.
Included among Jackson’s many accomplishments is Milwaukee Film’s landmark acquisition and restoration of the historic Oriental Theatre on the East Side. Jackson is also credited with demonstrating extraordinary leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, when the organization was forced to shut down in person activities for 17 months and shifted to all-virtual cinema offerings and a virtual film festival.
“He’s been with us since the start and he deserves a lot of credit for getting us to where we are today,” Abele said. “We wish him well in his new adventures and thank him for his service and hard work.”
Jackson said he and his family intend to stay in the Milwaukee area.
“Milwaukee is home,” he said. “We have no intention of leaving this terrific community, and I look forward to soon sharing the plans for what is next.”
The 16th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will be held April 11-25.
