EC Wisconsin News

The inaugural Sheboygan Film Festival (SFF) is set to open at The Weill Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,150-seat venue in downtown Sheboygan. Beah Travis, Chair of the SFF Committee and Founder and Executive Director of Belladonna Film Project, announced this decision. "We couldn’t have asked for a better venue to kick off our first film festival," said Travis. "The Weill is iconic. When our neighbors and guests arrive there to meet filmmakers from across the state and the world, it will be an experience no one will be able to forget."

Katy Glodosky, Executive Director of The Weill Center, highlighted the venue's history as a premier destination for entertainment since 1928. "We’ve offered everything from Broadway to the Symphony to national touring acts and international ballet," she said. Glodosky emphasized that hosting the film festival aligns with their mission to collaborate with local entities and create a vibrant arts scene. She noted that bringing guests into town for this event would benefit the downtown economy by attracting new patrons to local restaurants, shops, and hotels.

The Weill Center has previously hosted significant film premieres, including Kevin Costner's "Open Range" and Disney’s "Morning Light." For more information about sponsorship opportunities or volunteer roles related to the festival, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Sheboygan Film Festival website.

The SFF will take place from October 2-5th and is organized by Belladonna Film Project, a nonprofit focused on independent films in the Midwest. The festival welcomes filmmakers worldwide but emphasizes regional independent projects. It will feature dramatic and documentary features, short films, children's programming, filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, and other events showcasing filmmakers and their work.

The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts offers live performances in music, comedy, variety acts, movies, among others. Restored in 2001 to its original Spanish Colonial Revival style as built in 1928, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.