Midwest Independent Film Festival

The Midwest Independent Film Festival is the USA’s only film festival solely dedicated to Midwest films. Only films from the eight-state Midwest region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin are considered for screening.

The festival is hosted every first Tuesday of the month at Chicago's Landmark Century Centre Cinema of Landmark Theatres. The festival is sometimes referred to as The Midwest Film Festival, The Midwest Indie, or simply The Midwest.

Festival Highlights

The World Premiere of the comedy Osso Bucco, starring Illeana Douglas and Mike Starr opened the 2008 festival
The Midwest Premiere of Sundance Film Festival doc Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon, featuring Will Shortz
The Midwest Premiere of Cinequest Film Festival Best Documentary winner Indestructible, directed by Ben Byer
Controversial thriller Death of a President, winner of the International Film Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival favorite Steel City, written and directed by Alton, IL native Brian Jun, starring Tom Guiry, America Ferrera and Steppenwolf ensemble member Laurie Metcalf
Acclaimed documentary Rock the Bells, which chronicled the final stage performance of all nine original members of the Wu-Tang Clan, four months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.
The World Premiere of Cop Show, starring Tracy Letts and David Pasquesi
The Midwest Premiere of Sugar Mountain, directed by Aaron Himelstein
The World Premiere of Following Paula, starring Justina Machado
The Festival Premiere of Dirty Work, directed by Bruce Terris, starring Lance Reddick, Michael McGlone and Austin Pendleton
The Chicago Premiere of The Godfather of Green Bay, starring Tony Goldwyn, Lauren Holly, Mark Borchardt, Lance Barber and Pete Schwaba, who also wrote and directed the film.

History

The film festival was founded by Chicago actor Mike McNamara and filmmaker Michael Kwielford in 2004.[1] In November 2017 McNamara stepped down as director due to repeated and widespread incidents of sexual harassment and intimidation.[2] In July 2018, Amy Guth was named the new executive director of the festival.[3] In December 2019, Erica Duffy was named the festival's new executive director.[4]

References

https://web.archive.org/web/20070927181709/http://chicagoist.com/2005/12/04/mike_mcnamara_mike_kwielford_founders_of_the_midwest_independent_film_festival.php
Metz, Nina (10 November 2017). "Midwest Independent Film Fest executive director steps down". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
Metz, Nina (2 July 2018). "Amy Guth named new head of the Midwest Independent Film Festival". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
Costello, Colin (8 December 2019). "Erica Duffy is MIFF's new executive director". Reel Chicago. Retrieved 3 February 2020.

External links

Festival website
Festival Director Mike McNamara at the Internet Movie Database
Feature Profile of Festival Director Mike McNamara in Chicago Reader

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[1] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20070927181709/http://chicagoist.com/2005/12/04/mike_mcnamara_mike_kwielford_founders_of_the_midwest_independent_film_festival.php

[2] Metz, Nina (10 November 2017). "Midwest Independent Film Fest executive director steps down". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 February 2020.

[3] Metz, Nina (2 July 2018). "Amy Guth named new head of the Midwest Independent Film Festival". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 February 2020.

[4] Costello, Colin (8 December 2019). "Erica Duffy is MIFF's new executive director". Reel Chicago. Retrieved 3 February 2020.