The Best of the Midwest Media Fest Banquet and Show!

Join us in celebrating the best in Public, Education, and Government Access programming in a nine-state area of the Midwest.

The public is invited to the Best of the Midwest Media Fest Banquet and Show on Thursday evening, May 16, 2024 at the Lismore Hotel in Eau Claire.

NEW THIS YEAR! A BIG CHANGE!

ALL banquet tickets must be ordered separately through Film Freeway. Conference registration fees will NOT include the price of the banquet.

Tickets are $50 for everyone plus a small service fee. Use the form above to order tickets direct from Film Freeway.

Plaque and Statuette Orders will still be handled the same way, except the form will not include ordering banquet tickets.

Tell me more!

The Exhibitors Reception begins at 5 pm. The event begins at 5 pm with the Exhibitors Reception, where you can mingle with other producers, educators, and media center staff and talk with video production equipment dealers. There is a cash bar and free appetizers. Merit Award winning shows will be recognized through a PowerPoint played during the Reception.

The Banquet begins at 6:30 pm followed by the Fest Show. The evening begins with our annual awards. We recognize the 2024 Hall of Fame Award recipient, and Friend of Access Award recipients. Then the Fest Awards are announced. Excellence Award winners, Best in Show winners and Significant Community Program Award honorees accept their awards on stage and say a few words after a clip of their program is played.  Achievement Award winning shows will be recognized with a still and winners will go to the side of the stage to pick up their certificate and any awards they have ordered. 

Awards

How will I know if I won an award?

You’ll receive an email in mid-March. If producers provide their own email on the Film Freeway submission form, the Media Fest result will be emailed to the producer. If you do not receive an email, it probably was sent to your media center or your entry was entered under a different producer’s name. The button above, 2023 Fest Award Winners, includes the full list of award winners from last year. When the 2024 winners are announced this button will be updated along with the Hall of Fame and Friend of Access Awards.

I won an award. How do I order a plaque, statuette, or extra certificate?

I won an award. What is my role at the Fest?

If you are an Excellence Award winner, a Best in Show winner or a Significant Community Program award recipient we’d like you to accept your award on stage and say a few words after a clip of your program is played.  If you are an Achievement Award Winner, a still will be shown and winners will go to the side of the stage to pick up their certificate and any awards they have ordered.  If you are a Merit Award winner, your show will be acknowledged through a PowerPoint played during the Exhibitors’ Reception.

If you are a recipient of the Friend of Access award or an Inductee into the WCM Hall of Fame, you will be recognized at the start of the Fest Show and asked to say a few words.

What do I wear?

Dress for a special night out with friends.