Mission
The mission of the non-profit Milwaukee International Film Festival (MIFF) is to present quality, thought-provoking films from around the world and here in the Midwest. Education is an integral part of that mission. MIFF's educational objective is to promote understanding between individuals and social groups across the barriers of language, culture, ethnicity and religion.

Vision
The main initiative of MIFF's Midwest Filmmaker Competition is to promote and develop Milwaukee as the independent filmmaking center of the Midwest.

Arts & Cultural Film Festival Programs

• Midwest Filmmaker Competition
  The first competition of its kind for movies made by Midwest filmmakers, the Midwest Filmmaker Competition is a celebratory gathering for the Midwest film community featuring screenings, panels, parties and cash prizes. The main initiative of the Midwest Filmmaker Competition is to promote and develop Milwaukee as the independent filmmaking center of the Midwest. Past films include Reeseville and American Blackout.
  
  
• Spotlight Presentations
  
  
  Each year MIFF presents several high-profile programs. In 2006 MIFF opened the festival with the acclaimed The Queen, starring Helen Mirren; presented a tribute to filmmaker Harold Ramis; and closed with the prestigious Hong Kong musical Perhaps Love.
  
  
• World Cinema
  This popular programming track offers essential films from around the world, including award-winning films and films with famous actors such as Judi Dench, Heath Ledger, Forest Whitaker and Penelope Cruz.
  
  
• New Visions
  A series spotlighting the work of emerging visionaries from around the world. Past films include 13 Tzameti and Wristcutters-A Love Story.
  
  

Educational Programs
In addition to programming films from around the world, MIFF includes discussions and talk backs with filmmakers and panelists covering subjects of popular interest. MIFF's Reel Flix educational program offers students a fun way to screen MIFF films, discuss educational curriculum and explore the possibilities of the independent art and film industry at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The Student Screenwriting Competition is an opportunity for aspiring writers and filmmakers attending Milwaukee area high schools to explore film and the arts as a career opportunity, gaining insight and guidance from professionals involved and experienced in the industry.

MIFF'S Significance for Milwaukee
Cities across the world have recognized the benefits of film festivals in their communities. MIFF's presence in Milwaukee supports the city's renaissance as a flourishing hub for arts and entertainment. With the new state legislation that provides the best tax incentives in the country for film producers to make their movies in Wisconsin, the film festival highlights Milwaukee's film industry, showcasing the city as a prime location for shooting with a thriving community of skilled professionals. These generous tax credits put the city of Milwaukee, our lakeshore and wonderful architecture, on the map for the film industry, creating a new economic impact and industry for the city and state. An international film festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest metropolitan area, is a significant magnet for attracting and retaining film production and future industry professionals in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.