NOTICE: Do not attempt to adjust your radio, part of this week’s show is in black and white.

This week on Mel & Floyd: The Wisconsin Film Festival Spectacular. The fest kicked off earlier this week — and it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary! It runs through Thursday, April 20th. We speak with Ben Reiser, Operations Director for the Fest, and Lewis Peterson, of Four Star Video Rental, for their picks this festival (of note— a film that involves balloons), and what it’s been like to show films for the last year at Hilldale.

Then we turn to the filmmakers:

* Michael Chang Gummelt is the director behind the film noir comedy The Blackjack Hotel, which features the puppet private investigator Jack Lemming (Jack makes an appearance on the show, too). The film screens Saturday, April 15, at 9pm at The Marquee at Union South.

* Benett Holgerson, Abby Holgerson, and Claire Read, the trio behind the short film Prairie Girls. It’s a time-traveling sci-fi comedy romp through the centuries. The film screens Friday, April 14, @ 8:45pm at the Chazen.

* Jacy Catlin, fresh off a drive down from northern Wisconsin, and an expert in finding happiness in seemingly bleak times. He’s the screenwriter and star of Everything I Learned When My House Burned Down. He tells us what it’s like after your house burns down, the firefighters go home, the smoke clears, and insurance money starts to kick in. The film screens this Saturday, April 15 @ 9pm at Union South.

Thanks to Four Star for opening up early to record. Thanks to Ruby for running the board and preparing sound clips. Thanks to Gladys for additional production work. Thanks to our loyal minions for listening and subscribing — it’s free! 

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