Green Bay Film Festival: A visual portrait

While many people dream of heading to Hollywood to pursue filmmaking, films are being made right here in Wisconsin.

Independent filmmakers, movie buffs and everyone in between are all invited to attend the Green Bay Film Festival.

Program Director Jim Schwartz reflects on the processes of filmmaking and preparing this film festival.

“About 7 years ago, I saw a feature film filmed in Door County which was made on a budget of about $11,000. It really made me reflect on the possibilities for up and coming filmmakers,” he said.

Although independent filmmaking has gotten more and more possible alongside the accessibility of modern technology.

There are various hidden details that can drag a project down if not taken seriously.
“I learned a lot more about filmmakers and their processes from the festival. From financing to the technical aspects of the acting, it’s hard work to put a film together, however it’s also given me great exposure to all these different types of films,” he added.

Green Bay Film Festival aims that these films not only show the variety that independent filmmakers have to offer, but also that audiences are able to experience films they’d otherwise never see.

“A well-made short film is just as impactful as a feature film. There’s so many short films and documentaries we get every year, it’s hard not to be excited because there’s some truly wonderful films,” he said.

One of the biggest roadblocks in preparing the Green Bay Film Festival surprisingly still is COVID-19, however not as a disease, but as mentalities.

“When COVID hit, everyone stayed home. It’s tough to get people back into theaters, nowadays we have to compete with various streaming services. Film festivals don’t typically bring you the things you’d see on streaming,” he said.

Although held in Green Bay, one of the most important features of the festival is its volume of international films.

Featuring films from Mexico, Germany, Spain, France and Wisconsin, all of these films capture the essence of humanity across continents.

“I hope people get a better sense of what drives us as people. We can see what makes us different, but also be simultaneously brought together. At the end of the day we all face the same challenges,” he said.

While joining these local films requires a connection to the local filmmakers, audiences can still get involved in many ways.

“We can certainly use more screeners. They screen all the films and help choose what’s featured in the festival,” he said.

These screeners hold the opportunity to watch these films on their own time, prior to a judging deadline to solidify the festival.

Schwartz also highlighted the festival’s return to form after altering the structure due to the pandemic’s impact on audience turnout.

“It’s really beautiful because these films are adding to the culture of Green Bay while still being flexible in their own right,” he added.

Although these films are independently made and distributed, it’s entirely possible that they also can pick up traction and become more renown.

“There’s one film in particular that really stuck out to me — Hundreds of Beavers. I’ve seen it four times but it’s gotten a bit of a cult classic status since it was released, blending cutting edge animation with live action, produced by a bunch of guys from Wisconsin!” he said.
The Green Bay Film Festival will be held at the historic Tarlton Theatre on Saturday, March 14, running from 5 p.m. to approximately 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $15, with an intermission running from 6:30-7 p.m. as well.

The Tarlton’s full bar and dinner menus will also be available.

Purchase your tickets and see the festival’s lineup online at thetarlton.com.