Jonathan Jackson is the Program Director of the Milwaukee International Film Festival (MIFF). He began programming in 1999 by running the UWM Student Film Festival for several semesters while he was a film student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). He quickly moved into the Program Manager position at the UWM Union Theatre, in 2000, which he held for 3 years. During his tenure at the UWM Union Theatre, one of Milwaukee ´s most vital art house style cinemas, programming and attendance dramatically increased. His work at the cinema led to his hiring as the first employee of the MIFF. Hired as Program Director in 2003, he has been guiding the programming of the festival since its inception. Recently, he has also been a curator at the Milwaukee Art Museum for several short film programs in conjunction with the main exhibitions at the Museum. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his cat Carmela and watching movies.