First Look at the Fest

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courtesy Wisconsin Film Festival

Marking up a Wisconsin Film Festival guide is a sign of spring.

First Look at the Fest

Along with the breaking up of lake ice and snow melting, the return of the Wisconsin Film Festival is a sure sign of spring around here. An early sign of the fest, like a returning redwing blackbird or a budding crocus, is the First Look at the Fest event. It’s a party, it’s a sneak peek, and it’s a fundraiser for the fest, during which the schedule is unveiled, trailers are screened, and attendees have a first chance at buying tickets. There’s also food and drink, and the spacious lobby of Flix Brewhouse makes a convivial gathering space. Bring out your button collection and head on over, or, geek out buttonless.

media release: The Wisconsin Film Festival invites film lovers to get a jump on the most anticipated film event of the year with an exclusive First Look at the Fest on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 PM at Flix Brewhouse Madison. This special preview night is a chance to dive into the 2026 festival lineup before anyone else—all while enjoying craft brews and great food at one of Madison's premier cinema destinations. 

Attendees will receive advance access to the print edition of the 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival Film Guide—available a day before its official release in Isthmus. Festival programmers will be on hand throughout the evening to share their picks, offer behind-the-scenes perspectives on this year's selections, and help attendees build the perfect festival schedule tailored to their taste.

The night features exclusive previews of festival films, as well as complimentary food and beverages courtesy of Flix Brewhouse, and early ticket access to reserve seats before the general public gets to do so on March 7. Attendees may secure up to two tickets per screening during this exclusive window—so come ready to grab some tickets!

"First Look at the Fest is one of my favorite nights of the year," said Outreach Program Director Ben Reiser. "There's nothing quite like gathering with fellow film enthusiasts, flipping through a brand-new film guide, and watching trailers for films we can't wait to share with Madison audiences. This year's lineup of films and guests is truly special, and we're thrilled to give our most dedicated supporters a first look."

Admission is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Tickets are available at https://wifilmfest.eventive.org/passes/buy.

The 28th Wisconsin Film Festival will run from April 9 to 16, 2026. Public ticket sales open Saturday, March 7, at noon CST. General admission tickets are $12 each, and All-Festival passes are available for $325. Visit https://wifilmfest.eventive.org/passes/buy to purchase.