Introduction

AWARDS IN THE CREATIVE ARTS & ARTS BUSINESS COMPETITION

Awards in the Creative Arts

Each year the Division of the Arts recognizes students, faculty, and staff achievements and professional service along with providing support for future creative endeavors and research. Sixteen outstanding students, faculty, and staff were recognized for awards totaling $88,500. The ceremony was held at the Chazen Museum of Art on May 7 to celebrate the accomplishments of these recipients.

Click here for the list of winners and committee members.

go.wisc.edu/artsawards Photos

Arts Business Competition

The Arts Business Competition is a campuswide competition to encourage new thinking and innovative ideas and to provide support for student-driven arts-related projects. The three top proposals were presented to the judges and attendees in a public event on April 26 in the School of Education’s building. The prizes were $2,000 for Emeka, $1,000 for Clay It By Ear, and $500 for I Am Here.

Click here for more information on the winning projects.

go.wisc.edu/artsbusinesscompetition Photos

WISCONSIN FILM FESTIVAL

Key Highlights

f 30,245 total Festival attendance f 156 screenings, 8 days f 60+ film industry guests f 2,500+ volunteer hours, 178 volunteers f 2,605 attendees for field trips

E-communications: 15,445 subscribers : 10,045 followers : 19,200 views

wifilmfest.org 2019.wifilmfest.org Photos Videos

The 21st annual Wisconsin Film Festival screened over 150 films in five venues, on and off campus. Industry professionals from around the country introduced their films, participated in audience Q&As, and mingled with festival attendees at the many satellite events. Guests included Academy Award winning editors Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, writer/director Phil Johnston (alumnus), Vice President at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Rita Belda, and filmmaker Robert Clift, whose documentary examines the life of his famous uncle, Montgomery Clift.

New this year was the addition of digital 3D equipment installed in 4070 Vilas Hall by the Department of Communication Arts. Audiences were thrilled by Phil Johnston’s Ralph Breaks the Internet in 3D and voted the 3D screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon as “Audience Favorite Restoration.” In this location, audiences also had the unique experience of seeing silent films with live piano accompaniment.

The Wisconsin’s Own competition received 158 submissions this year. Films and filmmakers with Wisconsin connections competed for the Golden Badger awards. This year’s winners were Elephant Path by Todd McGrain (alumnus), Life on the Mississippi by Bill Brown, and Played Out by James Runde (alumnus). Winners of the Steep & Brew Audience Awards are found at wifilmfest.org/awards.

Programmers and some film guests were interviewed by Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, and other local media outlets. Programmers and Festival staff also showed trailers and answered audience questions at “First Look at the Fest” at AMC 6 Hilldale and “Sneak Peeks” at various public libraries in Madison, Middleton, and McFarland.

Over 5,600 people attended screenings in the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Shannon Hall including full houses for the opening night screening of Woman at War and the inspiring documentary Knock Down the House.

The Wisconsin Film Festival is presented by the Division of the Arts in collaboration with the Department of Communication Arts and was held April 4–11, 2019. Numerous campus and community partners helped bring international films, documentaries, children’s programming, and other genres to Madison.