The 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival will be unique in many ways, according to the festival's director, Meg Hamel, and renowned filmmaker Stuart Gordon. In its tenth year, 220 films will be shown throughout 10 downtown Madison theaters during the four-day annual event. This is Hamel's third year directing the festival and her eighth year as a volunteer. Every year the film festival presents a really diverse cross-section of filmmaking,"" Hamel said. ""There are documentaries, experimental films, films covering every kind of emotional tone from comedy to serious films.""
One distinctive aspect of the festival is that it features numerous locally made films.
""I think that's a great thing,"" Gordon said. ""I know, having taught in Madison, that there's some very, very talented people, and I think it's a great chance for them to get their work out there, and there's nothing like having a screening in the Orpheum.""
Gordon attended UW-Madison as a theatre major and now lives and works in Los Angeles. His thriller ""Stuck"" is his first entry in the Wisconsin Film Festival and will be shown Saturday, April 5 at 11 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre.
Perhaps the most standout aspect of this festival is its diverse audience. ""Some people feel that if it's called a film festival it's only for people who are experts when it comes to movies,"" Hamel said. ""But the truth of it is there are films in this festival that appeal to everybody. You don't have to be a film buff to appreciate, enjoy or get something out of the festival. All you have to do is show up and watch a movie.""
- Kerry Jessup
