MidWest WeirdFest, the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, paranormal, and just plain weird, returns for its 7th annual edition to the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, March 3-5, 2023.
Programming director Dean Bertram, and the rest of the festival team are delighted to introduce the filmmakers who are presenting their films in person at the 2023 event.
Mark Polish behind-the-scenes of MURMUR
“For so many years I’ve admired MidWest WeirdFest from afar. Dean (and company) have always been able to curate such an amazing collective of unique, wonderful and weird movies.” says Mark Polish, the esteemed writer/director/actor known for such memorable films as TWIN FALLS IDAHO, THE ASTRONAUT FARMER, NORTHFORK and HEADLOCK.
“So you couldn’t imagine how thrilled I was when MURMUR was selected to be a part of 2023s program. Festivals such as this are so vital to the future of independent filmmakers (& thinkers). Showcasing, encouraging and celebrating stories that are off (the mainstream) grid is good for humanity.”
Polish will be introducing his latest masterpiece MURMUR, an edge-of-your-seat techno-thriller, which opens the festival on Friday March 3, at 6pm. He will also partake in a Q&A following the film's screening.
Other feature films represented by filmmakers at the festival follow:
Marticn Achatz with Bigfoot foot casts in BIGFOOT AND MARTY
BIGFOOT AND MARTY is a wonderful documentary world premiering at this year's MidWest WeirdFest. The film's director Ronnie Ferguson will introduce and Q&A, along with the film's main subject, poet laureate Martin Achatz.
Kevin Interdonato (L) with director John Fallon (R) behind-the-scenes of BRAEK
BRAEK a brutal and clever spin on the home invasion sub-genre will have its US premiere at the fest. Writer/star Kevin Interdonato (CITY ON A HILL, BAD FRANK, THE SOPRANOS) will be on hand to introduce the film and Q&A after the screening.
Melissa Tittl (R) behind-the-scenes of CODE 12
CODE 12, a mind-expanding documentary which brings the very nature of existence into question, world premieres at the fest. Director/presenter Melissa Tittl (UFO WITNESS, ANCIENT ALIENS, ALIEN ENDGAME) will introduce and then Q&A.
Behind-the-scenes with director Sylvia Caminer (FOLLOW HER)
FOLLOW HER, the festival's terrifying and twisting closing night film will be presented by its Emmy Award winning director Sylvia Caminer.
Co-writer & star Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (R) in writer/director Mike Cheslik’s HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS
HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is a hilarious, slapstick fantasy, about a fur trapper battling, well, hundreds of beavers! Director Mike Cheslik (LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER) along with talented cast and crew will intro and Q&A.
Actor Santiago Vasquez in a still from writer/director Gary Huggins’ KICK ME
KICK ME is fresh on the fest circuit and already landing rave reviews. Director Gary Huggins will present the MidWest Premiere of his fantastic and frenetic underground action opus.
Short filmmakers, TV and web content creators, music video artists, and screenwriters presenting their work in person at the 2023 MidWest WeirdFest, include:
Ken Avidor (COURIER 2), Jacob Beaulieu and Logan Spahos (HE APPEARS), Steve Chappell and Adam Gregory Pergament (GABRIELLA), Francesco Cordaro (AWAKE), Tucker Dryden (THE MAX HEADROOM INCIDENT), Matt Ernst and Audrey Costadina (DIRTY WORK), Elias Gallegos and L.C. Crowley (NIGHT OF THE COOTERS), Russell Goldman (CLOSING TIME), Allison Torem and Adam Rebora (ROAD HEAD), Lucas Kurmis (WHY/I/ONE), Joshua Land and Victor Fink (THE FARMHOUSE), Chuck Meré (LEMNISCATE), Nick Rohr (BATTALION OF CLOUDSHIPS - BOXED REMNANTS), Tim Schwagel (BLOSSOM AND THE DECREPIT MAN), Andrew Paul Davis (EATEN), Jon Truei (THE 44TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN), Samuel T Weston (Screenplay: WIZARDS OF THE UNDERWORLD).
Full list of attending filmmakers along with headshots and biographies here
MidWest WeirdFest's full 2023 program and schedule can be viewed here
Tickets to all films, along with discounted festival passes, are available to purchase here (and during the festival will also be available to purchase at the Micon Downtown Cinema box office).