Here are the Milwaukee Short Film Festival’s local premieres

Collagist and video artist Vito Valenti's 'Dream Trip'

In its 17th year, the Milwaukee Short Film Festival has a lot to love. Across six programs over two days, the festival can lay claim to a number of premieres, including several from Wisconsin artists. Muskego-based collagist and video artist Vito Valenti (Dream Trip) repurposes imagery, meshing the artificial with the natural in surreal ways. Other notables include John van Slyke (Quack), of Milwaukee’s Third Choice Video Ensemble and music video veteran Rubin Whitmore II (Death After Life), whose La Audicion just took home a 1st Place prize at the Madison 48 Hour Film Project.

The following films by Wisconsin filmmakers will receive their premiere at this year’s Milwaukee Short Film Festival:

The Milwaukee Short Film Festival runs from Fri Sept 11 thru Sat Sept 12 at Comedy Sportz (420 S First Street). You can find the full schedule on the festival’s website