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The third annual Milwaukee Independent Film Festival wraps up with a closing night party on Saturday, October 29, at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 790 W. Van Buren St. The party begins at 8:30pm and will include the announcement of this year’s festival award winners. The event is $10 for ticket and pass holders, and $15 for the general public. Attendees are encouraged to dress in old Hollywood attire, as the theme of the party is classic Hollywood. This year’s festival has been a great success. Many of the films were sold out and lines that stretched out the Oriental Theatre down Farwell were not uncommon – another reason that attendees should try to buy tickets in advance or online. The Brady Street Business District sponsored the showing of Popaganda: The Art and Crimes of Ron English. English is the New York pop artist who creates and posts his own billboard advertising to mock the ad campaigns of large corporations. His favorite targets are tobacco companies and fast food restaurants. English, as well as filmmaker Pedro Carvajal, were in attendance and hosted a Q&A session after the film. My favorite film so far is the documentary The Real Dirt On Farmer John, about an Illinois man, John Peterson, who struggles to save his family farm, and the rumors surrounding the farm and the different lives the farm leads throughout the years. It goes from family farm to artist and hippie commune (John’s college years in the late sixties) to a successful organic farm – one of the first in the area. Peterson as well as other family members were in attendance for the film. Also in town for the festival, was director John Landis, who appeared Saturday night for the showing of his Animal House, and veteran film and television actor Mark Metcalfe, (Neidermeyer). Both were very friendly and accommodating to all who wanted to say hello or get an autograph.
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