A Record-Breaking Year for the 16th Annual Door County Film Fest

Sister Bay, Wis. (February 18, 2025) – Over 400 film lovers braved the snowy weather to gather at Northern Sky’s Gould Theater this past weekend, making the 16th Annual Door County Film Fest a resounding success. The event celebrated the art of filmmaking and set a new attendance record, marking a milestone for the festival.

The weekend kicked off with the first-ever Student Filmmakers Showcase on Thursday night. It featured February, a film by Nathan Deming, an LA-based director originally from Wisconsin.  The night closed with a selection of works from talented Wisconsin film students and recent graduates.

On Friday evening, TV producer Kevin Wehrenberg, a Door County resident and business owner who is known for his work on Fear Factor and Wipeout, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Later, Alan Kopischke (SAG actor, UW-Green Bay professor, and director of the Door Kinetic Arts Festival) provided a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the development of the soon-to-launch Door County Film Office.

Saturday was packed with screenings, culminating in the presentation of four prestigious awards. The 2025 Golden Mug Juror’s Award went to Buttress, directed by Emily Barber. This poignant film explored a young woman’s emotional journey after the loss of her grandmother. Three People’s Choice Awards were also presented:

• People’s Choice Feature Documentary: Green Blah! by Chris Pretti and James Baker, a compelling music documentary that delves into the first decade of Green Bay’s punk rock history.
• People’s Choice Feature Narrative: February, directed by Nathan Deming, tells the story of a recent immigrant struggling to fit into a small town in Wisconsin in February until discovering ice fishing.
• People’s Choice Short: Pete’s Castle, directed by Nate Shepphard, which offered an intimate look at Pete Kelley, the creator of Kelley Castle in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

That’s a wrap on the 16th Annual Door County Film Fest and we’re already looking forward to next year. Mark your calendars for Presidents’ Day weekend 2026, when the festival will return to Northern Sky’s Gould Theater for another unforgettable celebration of film!