Wisconsin Film Festival

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courtesy Janus Films

Judith O'Dea in 'Night of the Living Dead.'

Judith O'Dea in 'Night of the Living Dead.'

Since its debut in 1999, the annual Wisconsin Film Festival has only grown in importance for local filmgoers, with traditional movie theaters gradually disappearing and the variety of new films on the big screen also shrinking. The fest’s focus on Wisconsin-related films is a double bonus; the opening weekend includes the three Golden Badger Award winners (Jia and Shaggy’s Big Break on April 11; And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind on April 12; read about more Wisconsin's Own films here.). The fest's initial days also include the coming-of-age drama Last Shot (April 11), which just picked up a Best Actress Award for Jaime Pressly at the LA Film Awards; and a screening of a restored 35mm print of George Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead (April 12), accompanied by a talk by author Daniel Krause about his new book, Partially Devoured: How Night of the Living Dead Saved My Life and Changed the World. Find the full schedule and check advance ticket availability at wifilmfest.eventive.org.

media release: March 27 update:

 The 28th Wisconsin Film Festival (April 9–16, 2026) is pleased to announce a series of exciting programming additions, including a special in-person appearance by legendary documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee, additional screenings of previously sold-out titles, and a filmmaker Q&A with director David Shadrack Smith.

Ross McElwee Comes to Madison for Two Special Screenings

Master of autobiographical cinema Ross McElwee, who transformed home movies into an art form and influenced a generation of documentary filmmakers, will join the Wisconsin Film Festival in person for two screenings on Monday, April 13 at Flix Brewhouse.

The first screening features McElwee's acclaimed new film Remake, recently hailed as a "late-career masterpiece" by Film Comment. Remake screens twice, Saturday, April 11 at 1:15 PM at the Chazen Museum of Art (McElwee will NOT be in attendance for this screening) and Monday, April 13 at 12:00 PM at Flix Brewhouse.

The second event with McElwee is a just-added screening of his early-career landmark Sherman’s March, one of the funniest and most beloved documentaries ever made, screening Monday, April 13 at 6:45 PM at Flix Brewhouse. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1987 Sundance Film Festival, Sherman’s March is a sideways look at love and war in the American South that has gone on to inspire countless filmmakers in the decades since its release.

Tickets for Remake and Sherman’s March are available now at wifilmfest.eventive.org. Early purchase is strongly recommended.

Additional Screenings Added for Sold-Out Titles & Director David Shadrack Smith to Appear for PUBLIC ACCESS Q&A

Due to overwhelming audience demand, the Wisconsin Film Festival has added screenings of two previously sold-out films. The World According to Allee Willis returns for a second screening following its rapid sellout. The Blue Trail, which has already sold out two previous screenings, will receive a third and final screening. 

Director David Shadrack Smith will also join the Wisconsin Film Festival in person for screenings of his film Public Access, with a post-screening Q&A following the April 12 screening. 

Tickets are available now for all these screenings at wifilmfest.eventive.org.

NOSFERATU Moves to the Barrymore Theatre

Following an immediate sellout, the Wisconsin Film Festival's special screening of Nosferatu, featuring a live score by acclaimed musician Circuit des Yeux, accompanied by Alan Sparhawk of Duluth indie legends Low, has been moved to the Barrymore Theatre to accommodate demand. The screening takes place Wednesday, April 15 at 8 PM. Existing ticket holders do not need to take any action—all tickets will be honored at the new venue. Remaining tickets are available now at wifilmfest.eventive.org.

Film lovers won’t have to wait long. The 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival Film Guide is out now in the March 5, print issue of Isthmus and online at wifilmfest.eventive.org, with general ticket sales opening Saturday, March 7, at noon. The definitive companion to the festival's rich and varied program, the guide gives cinema enthusiasts everything they need to plan their experience at one of the Midwest's most celebrated film events — spanning international features, documentaries, innovative shorts, Wisconsin's Own selections, Big Screens Little Folks family programming, restorations, rediscoveries, and more.

Must-See Screenings at WFF 2026

At the 28th Wisconsin Film Festival, every one of our 135+ films is a worthy watch. But if you're looking for a place to start, here are a few highlights! To access stills for the following films only, please click here. 

• Opening Night: Poetic License – Campus comedy starring Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman, and Andrew Barth Feldman, directed by Maude Apatow. (April 9, Barrymore Theatre)

• Closing Night: Power Ballad – Power Ballad follows a talented but past-his-prime wedding singer and a young rockstar who uses the wedding singer’s songwriting prowess to revitalize his own career. Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor. (April 16, Flix Brewhouse)

• Special Guest: Normal – Madison native Derek Kolstad, creator of the John Wick franchise, appears in person to present his latest action film starring Bob Odenkirk. (April 11, Barrymore Theatre)

• Blank Check Presents: Babe: Pig in the City – The popular film podcast hosts a special screening of George Miller’s cult classic, followed by their first-ever Midwest live show. (April 11, Barrymore Theatre)

• Nosferatu with Live Score – The classic silent horror film paired with a haunting new live score by acclaimed indie musician Circuit des Yeux. (April 15, UW Cinematheque)

• Golden Badger Award Winners – Wisconsin's Own: And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind (April 12, Chazen Museum of Art), Jia (April 11, Music Hall - screens with Wisconsin's Own Short Stories) and Shaggy's Big Break (April 11, Marquee Theater at Union South - screens with Mixed Bag - Wisconsin's Own Short Films).

• Global cinema: new films from Brazil (The Blue Trail), Hong Kong (The Furious), India (Sholay), Lebanon (Do You Love Me), Morocco (Bouchra), Nigeria (My Father’s Shadow), South Korea (What Does That Nature Say to You), and more!

Screenings take place on the UW campus (at Cinematheque, Chazen Museum of Art, Music Hall and the Marquee at Union South), Barrymore Theatre and Bartell Theatre from April 9-12; and at Flix Brewhouse from April 13-16.

Ticket Information

The 28th Wisconsin Film Festival will be presented April 9–16, 2026. Tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday, March 7, at noon at wifilmfest.eventive.org. General admission tickets are $12 each plus tax and service fee. All-Festival pass holders will enjoy early access beginning Friday, March 6, at noon and All-Festival passes are still available for purchase at wifilmfest.eventive.org as well. 

In-Person Box Office Schedule

For those who prefer in-person transactions, box office locations will be available throughout Madison in the weeks leading up to the Festival. Friendly staff will assist with ticket purchases and answer questions about the festival. Ticket prices and fees remain the same whether purchased online or in-person. 

Barrymore Theatre – 2090 Atwood Ave.

March 7: Noon – 4 p.m.

March 14: Noon – 3 p.m.

March 21: Noon – 3 p.m.

March 28: Noon – 3 p.m.

Vilas Hall – 4070 Vilas Hall

March 7: Noon – 4 p.m.

Mitchell Theater – 821 University Ave. on East Campus Mall

March 11: 4 – 7 p.m.

March 18: 4 – 7 p.m.

March 25: 4 – 7 p.m.

April 1: 4 – 7 p.m.

Leopold's Books Bar Caffé – 1301 Regent St.

March 11: 5 – 8 p.m.

March 18: 5 – 8 p.m.

Festival organizers recommend purchasing tickets early, as popular screenings tend to sell out quickly!

2026 Golden Badger Jury Statement

We the jury had the pleasure of coming together for a weekend’s worth of screenings featuring films from artists with Wisconsin connections. From hard-hitting true stories of police violence to mind-melting animations to spooky campfire stories come to life, it was inspiring to see the breadth of talent and passion on display, particularly at a time when creativity and free expression feels increasingly threatened. Our task was not an easy one, but after much deliberation we ultimately chose to award this year’s Golden Badger prizes to two shorts and one feature. Taken together, they demonstrate risky storytelling choices and skillful production that kept us thinking and conversing long after the final fade out. We hope that you enjoy these selections as much as we did.

Jury

Sara Batkie is the author of the short story collection Better Times, which won the 2017 Prairie Schooner Prize. Her film and culture writing can be found online at Bright Wall/Dark Room, Crooked Marquee, LitHub, and Tone Madison. A graduate of the University of Iowa and New York University, she has been a Madison resident since 2022. 

Craig Benzine is a UW-Madison Com Arts Alum, filmmaker, musician, and video creator best known for his long-running YouTube channel WheezyWaiter. His documentary No Packers, No Life screened at the 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival.

Sawyer Weidman is a filmmaker based in Chicago. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago where he earned his B.F.A. in Cinema and Television directing. His thesis film, Adagio won the 2025 Golden Badger Award as well as earning him a Chicago/Midwest Emmy nomination for achievement in filmmaking.

Winners

AND THEN I KNEW 'TWAS WIND (dir. Darius Mackenzie) — A quietly remarkable debut about a couple on a wilderness canoe trip, this film makes time itself its subject with ambitious, transfixing results.

JIA (dir. Sam Mandich) — An expertly crafted queer coming-of-age story, poetically understated, with stunning cinematography and nuanced performances that linger long after the credits roll.

SHAGGY'S BIG BREAK (dir. Maya Castronovo) — Blurring the line between documentary and narrative, this film is one of the most authentic displays of a man trying his best — and we can't stop thinking about it.

Honorable Mentions (listed alphabetically) 

In addition to the three winners, the jury wishes to recognize the following five honorable mentions. These four shorts and one feature impressed us with their depth of attention and surprising observations about life in Wisconsin and beyond.

25 CATS FROM QATAR

FRED'S BASEMENT BIJOU

THE PHALANX

THERE YAWNS THE VALLEY

TOP 16

Don't miss the chance to see these award-winning films at the 28th Wisconsin Film Festival April 9-16, 2026. Our box office opens on March 7 at 12 pm CST! 

About the Wisconsin Film Festival

Since 1999, the Wisconsin Film Festival has curated, promoted, and exhibited programs showcasing the art and the history of world cinema. Currently presented under the auspices of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Communication Arts, the Festival supports UW’s teaching, research, and public service mission by exposing the campus and the greater Madison community to films and filmmakers from Wisconsin and beyond. As cinema is an essential art form that enriches the human experience and enhances one’s knowledge of a variety of cultures, the Festival seeks to create a strong sense of community through curating a vast body of films and through the creation of gatherings before and after screenings that welcome diverse communities. With the ever-evolving technology of the film industry, the Festival strives to screen movies using state-of-the-art projection and sound while creating opportunities for younger students to experience cinema from around the world through field trips, special presentations, and community outreach.