Statewide Screenings

July 15, 2016

In addition to the Traverse City Film Festival, Michigan hosts several dozen film festivals of various sizes each year, from locally focused showcases to grand events with a wider reach. Here are a half-dozen of our state’s biggest and best.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival: March 21–26, 2017

Art and avant-garde blend in one of the state’s most eclectic cities

More information: aafilmfest.org

Ann Arbor’s artistic heritage runs deep, with this fest having already screened early works by such big names as James Benning, Andy Warhol, Gus Van Sant, and Agnes Varda. This one’s often the first Midwestern stop for directors as they progress through the region’s roundup of smaller film events, and it offers nearly 200 films from over 20 countries in six days.

Freep Film Festival, Detroit: March (exact 2017 dates TBA)

The Motor City proves it’s got more than just cars to offer

More information: freepfilmfestival.com

With support from participants like The Fillmore, Cinema Detroit, and the Detroit Historical Society, this festival, as presented by The Detroit Free Press and Michigan.com, purposefully focuses on films that are about or relevant to Detroit and the state of Michigan. And if you adore documentaries, this is one event you definitely won’t want to miss.

Cinetopia International, Ann Arbor: June (exact 2017 dates TBA)

Michigan’s sneak peek at what’s causing a buzz on the national film circuit

More information: cinetopiafestival.org

Poised right at the start of the summer movie season, Cinetopia is the place where a shortlist of favored and buzzed-about screenings from other, earlier film fests make one of their most notable Midwestern stops. This is also one of the more accessible film festivals, as Cinetopia’s associated “Cinema Circus” events are free and open to all.

Media City Film Festival, Detroit/Windsor: July 28–Aug. 1, 2016

Dual-country fest offers cooperation through filmmaking

More information: mediacityfilmfestival.com

Reportedly the only film festival in the world to present artists’ films on both sides of an international border, this fest celebrated its 20th anniversary a couple of years ago, topping 35,000 in film entries from 112 nations. In addition to its hefty roster of film screenings, it also features lectures, workshops, specially commissioned art, and live performances.

Waterfront Film Festival, South Haven: September (exact 2017 dates TBA)

Putting the focus on the films of the “Middle Coast”

More information: waterfrontfilm.org

From animation to documentaries, this most casual of Michigan film fests makes its informal vibe one of its biggest draws, earning it notoriety as a low-pressure place for celebs like Daryl Hannah to showcase films or host workshops and panels. Several documentaries that have premiered here have even continued on to the Academy Awards.

East Lansing Film Festival: November 3–10, 2016

College connections infuse Lansing fest with a worldly reach

More information: elff.com

Its tie-in with Michigan State University helps this fest to truly blend the best of the Midwest with imported movies, and in the past it has highlighted such Michigan talent as Michael Moore and Bruce Campbell. The ELFF excels with an impressive roster of student films and short films in particular, both of which have proven to spawn several standouts each year.

THE SUPER SIX

Indie movie buzz often begins at smaller but prestigious regional film festivals like Traverse City’s own — one of about 3,000 other film festivals happening worldwide every year. The second tier includes events like South by Southwest’s film division, Chicago’s International Film Fest, or New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival. But then there are the Super Six, the glitzy pinnacles for aspiring filmmakers:

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Sundance, the largest U.S. film fest, is second on the glam list, as founded by actor Robert Redford and attended by a real who’s who of American film. January in Park City, Utah; sundance.org/festival

BERLINALE FILM FESTIVAL

This German film fest is considered to be the one with the most public ticket sales, admitting over 500,000 people to its screenings and satellite events. February in Berlin, Germany; berlinale.de

FESTIVAL DE CANNES

The biggest film fest for pure Hollywood glamor is definitely Cannes, showcasing a seemingly endless parade of couture gowns and tuxes and its coveted golden prize, the Palme d’Or. May in Cannes, France; festival-cannes.com

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The largest film festival in the Southern hemisphere was launched in 1952. It both boosts local film production and generates millions for Australia’s economy. July in Melbourne, Australia; miff.com.au

VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

This is the oldest and longest-running film festival, having started in 1932, with many screenings still taking place at the historic Palazzo del Cinema. August in Venice, Italy; labiennale.org/en/cinema

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The closest major film fest to the U.S. is this Canadian screen spectacle that welcomes over 300 films from 60 countries every autumn. September in Toronto, Canada; tiff.net/festivals