We recently received rejection letters from two midwest-based film festivals, including the Milwaukee International Film Festival.  While this is unfortunate, I believe it is a sign of a bigger problem within Milwaukee.  Milwaukee's arts community can't seem to support its own.

"Six Bullets" has won the award for Best Action/Adventure at a film festival in Houston where the festival director called the film "well done, and hauntingly direct", and the film is an official selection at two festivals in New York and one in Florida.  The director was awarded "Best Local Filmmaker" by Milwaukee's Shepherd Express, who called the film "the earliest buzz-worthy submission to the Milwaukee International Film Festival".  The director and lead actor were featured live on Milwaukee TV. 

Where is the local support?  The MIFF would rather support foreign films from established directors than take a chance on homegrown Milwaukee-area talent, and that's unfortunate.  How can Wisconsin ever convince its film students to stay in an area where you have to leave to become accepted?  Fixing the filmmaking talent leak out of Wisconsin has to start with changing the way we value local films

While 355 is already underway with a huge amount of support, financially and otherwise, it makes me think twice about staying in a community that isn't excited about its own local talent.

Jon Kline - Producer and DP - Six Bullets

Wikipedia Graham Killeen - six bullets AOL - 6 bullets CNN - Six Bullets Netscape