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Top 10 things to experience at the Wisconsin Film Festival

April 3, 2014

It’s not just what’s on the screen that makes the eight-day Wisconsin Film Festival so special. Here are 10 things to experience as you enjoy this annual celebration of film:

The Amazing Catfish

A scene from “The Amazing Catfish,” a Mexican film directed by Claudia Sainte-Luce.

The atmosphere. People-watching, dining out downtown – what’s not to love?

The conversations. Maybe you run into an up-and-coming filmmaker, or you make new friends in line. Either way, the conversations are second to none.

The prices. At $10 (during the festival), all tickets are cheaper than many Madison matinees. And if you’re a student, all tickets are $5.

20,000 Days on Earth

The film “20,000 Days on Earth,” directed by Iane Forsyth, is a documentary on rock musician Nick Cave.

The venues. Sundance is one of Madison’s favorite places to watch a movie, and students know the Marquee as a favorite of their own. But have you taken in a film at the Chazen, or Cinematheque? And let’s not forget the beautifully restored Capitol Theater, part of the Overture Center for the Arts.

The concessions. Union South and Sundance offer specialty drinks and all sorts of delectable treats to make movie-going a bit sweeter.

The rush tickets. Missed your chance for “Bingo Night!” or “Breathe In?” Don’t panic. Show up 30 minutes before the show and you might get in after all.

The special events. Meet directors and actors, enjoy a silent film accompanied on the magnificent Grand Barton Organ and check out films you’ll never find on Netflix.

Age of Panic

“Age of Panic,” a French film, stars Laeticia Dosch and Vincent Macaigne.

The faraway places. Explore Romania, Chile, France, Japan and, yes, Bollywood, while staying close to home.

The university. Being on campus means that festival patrons can enjoy world-class facilities and programming picked by experts. (And did we mention those $5 student tickets?)

The people. From visiting directors and actors to hundreds of amazing volunteers to the friends and neighbors you run into on the street, the Wisconsin Film Festival is the perfect example of why Madison is such a vibrant place.

Tags: arts