“Director’s Cut” and “Nite Lite” Host To Appear Friday Night, Feb. 13
Fish Creek, Wis. (February 11, 2026) – The talented Midwesterner who helped bring Wisconsin independent film into the national spotlight will headline the Door County Film Festival when Pete Schwaba kicks off the festival’s Friday Night Feature Film as Keynote Speaker at the Northern Sky’s Gould Theater on February 13th.
The face and voice of the Civic Media radio show Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba as well as the PBS TV programs Director’s Cut, Independent Lens and POV, Pete Schwaba is the charismatic host of a number of popular shows. Schwaba made his entertainment career in Hollywood on both sides of the camera as a writer, producer, director and actor, and his TV writing credits include Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (for Jeff Foxworthy) and Sports Soup. He’s also written for NBC, including promotional work for NBC’s Football Night in America, Lifetime, FOX, and The WB. Schwaba was also a writer on the MGM romantic comedy “A Guy Thing” starring Julia Stiles and writer/director of the indie comedy “The Godfather of Green Bay.” His hosting work in recent years has offered filmmakers multiple platforms to showcase their work.
“Because of The Godfather of Green Bay, Director’s Cut and now Nite Lite, I’ve personally been a fan of Pete Schwaba since I can remember,” said Door County Film Fest Executive Director Chris Opper. “I’m so excited to have him as our Keynote Speaker, this is such a great time to be involved in the Wisconsin film world.”
Schwaba is slated to take the stage at the Gould Theater following the Filmmaker Mixer from 4-5:30pm in the main lobby. The Friday Night Feature to follow at 6pm is the Sundance-selected documentary feature The Librarians. The film’s producer, Janique L. Robilard, will be in attendance for a Q&A session after the screening.
Attendees can purchase individual film sessions ($15) or a full pass ($60) that includes all festival sessions (in-person festival tickets available at northernskytheater.com). For those who are unable to attend the festival in-person, an online streaming option is available. Starting Sunday, Feb. 15, a day after the in-person festival ends, the public can purchase streaming tickets through the festival’s website (doorcountyfilmfest.com). Just like the in-person festival, virtual attendees can purchase passes for one or more sessions or purchase an all-inclusive pass. Films are available for streaming for one week, until Sunday, Feb. 22.
The 17th Annual Door County Film Fest will take place Feb. 12-14 at Northern Sky Theater’s Barbara and Spencer Gould Theater, located at 9058 County Road A, Fish Creek, WI 54212. Tickets for the in-person festival can be purchased at northernskytheater.com, while tickets for the festival’s streaming option can be purchased at doorcountyfilmfest.com.
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