The UWM Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres will present the Milwaukee Underground Film Festival (MUFF) this week. One of PSOA’s most popular courses in the film program, MUFF is a student-run film festival devoted to screening independent, artist-driven films.
Not only does MUFF provide an opportunity for filmmakers to gain exposure in the Milwaukee film community, but it also offers students experience in the business side of the arts.
The business of the arts
MUFF is offered to film students as a three-credit, twice-weekly course that satisfies their requirement to obtain an internship or another form of community engagement during their time at PSOA. Many students are drawn to take MUFF as it provides practical, hands-on exposure into running a film festival.
“It doesn’t really feel like a class,” said senior student Sophia Stezala, who is minoring in film. “It feels like I’m clocking into a job, but in a good way.”
Student organizers are divided into three teams: community outreach, film screening and selection, and design and marketing.
Stezala is part of the community outreach team, working alongside senior film major Anders Waage. Both took MUFF out of a desire to learn more about the production and business-oriented aspects of the film industry.
“I thought it would be really interesting to have experience from the inside to see how a festival is built up,” said Waage. “I wanted to get a feel for how to present films professionally.”
The community outreach team tackled the logistical aspects of running a festival, including securing new locations and sponsors. Other teams took on tasks such as logo and website design, film lineup curation, and more.
No matter the task, MUFF gives students a special opportunity to not only learn about the business side of the arts but to work practically, enhancing their learning.
“I can learn all day about how to use a camera but if I’m not there actually using it, then I’m not fully learning,” said Stezala. “The ins and outs of running a festival cannot be taught without actually doing it.”
Something that goes into ensuring the success of a yearly film festival is creating a distinct product from years past. Because of that, the MUFF team worked to develop a theme for this year’s festival that reflects the time artists are creating work.
“The identity of the film festival takes on the collective identity of our filmmakers and the time period,” said Stezala.
The result for MUFF 2025 is a theme that reflects modern cyber threats, including AI and new technology.
The MUFF mission
MUFF falls during a busy for the Milwaukee film community. To carve out its own distinctive space for film offerings, MUFF selects films that reflect PSOA’s commitment to producing experimental, artist-driven cinema.
“We offer opportunity to artists that do not always get that kind of platform to showcase their work,” said Waage.
MUFF selection is typically made up of non-narrative work aimed at celebrating new artistic forms and amplifying unheard voices.
The collaborative environment necessary to produce MUFF also helps reflect PSOA’s values, as the MUFF student body works with one another to ensure the festival is produced as professionally as possible.
“A big part of the artistic community is collaboration,” said Waage. “Being a part of that collaboration to help other people present their work and see how impactful that can be is really valuable.”
Milwaukee Underground Film Festival runs through April 19. Visit the PSOA Events Calendar for more information.
Related: Film alumni debut new festival to increase diversity in Milwaukee cinema
Story by Jason McCullum ’25