September 14, 2016
Brian McKaig, VP of Marketing & Communications
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
I love telling stories. Stories of real people, who through their relationship with United Way, experience moments of purpose in our community and around the world.
We all are looking to make a connection – to find purpose and passion, to make things better, to be part of something bigger.
At United Way, we call this “Making Your Moment.”
The Milwaukee Film Festival creates moments for tens of thousands of audience members every year. Milwaukee Film has grown to become one of United Way’s important partners in creating a sense of unity through connecting people with community opportunities.
That’s why I’m excited to share that this year United Way will promote our new collaboration with Aurora Health Care to raise awareness of violence prevention and treatment at the film festival. We’ve created a new community initiative, the “Aurora Health Care Challenge Grant to Prevent Physical Violence and Sexual Assault” to raise new and increased donations to expand United Way investments in programs that promote safety and well-being for teens, women, and male victims of assault.
The Film Festival will screen and hold a post-film panel discussion of The Wrong Light, a documentary about combating the sex-trafficking industry in Thailand and providing shelter and education for at-risk woman to ensure their safety.
Here is a synopsis of the film:
"The Wrong Light tells the riveting story of a charismatic activist who leads a globally-regarded anti-trafficking non-governmental organization in Northern Thailand that provides shelter and education to young girls rescued from brothels. As the filmmakers embark in a quest for the truth while keeping the girls safe, the heroic tale takes a shocking turn and uncovers a dark side of child advocacy behind the trafficking headlines."
Join us on Sunday, September 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oriental Theatre for the special screening and post-film discussion.
If you can't make it to the special screening, the film is also showing two additional times during the Film Festival:
- Friday, September 30 at 1:00pm / Fox Bay Cinema Grill Screen
- Thursday, October 6 at 4pm / Oriental Theatre Screen 1
A special thank you to Aurora Health Care, for sponsoring the film screening and panel discussion. Aurora Healthcare’s sponsorship also allows us to present this 30-second trailer before each movie at the Film Festival.
Chris Thompson, an award-winning documentary filmmaker from Milwaukee who is a friend to both United Way and Milwaukee Film Festival, created the beautiful trailer. Thank you, Chris!
The Milwaukee Film Fest runs from September 22 through October 6. Not sure what to watch? Check out our recommendations.
I hope you will be a part of some life-changing moments this fall! Please join us.