ArtPrize was held over three weeks, from September 21st - October 9th.  For the second consecutive year, ArtPrize has recognized film as an art form with entries being judged in the "Time-Based" portion of the competition.  

ArtPrize On Screen, presented 10 entries this year in narrative, documentary, or short film formats.  We were proud to once again sponsor ArtPrize and are thrilled that filmmakers are receiving recognition for their craft.

Among the entries were four Michigan-made shorts; 'Beloved', 'Croissant Man', 'Free Pie' and 'Monster, Me'.  Also, among the entries were two Michigan-made feature films; 'Camp Manna' and 'The Alchemist Cookbook'.

We'd like to offer our congratulations to all of the winning artists and thank the event organizers and especially the many volunteers who all help make ArtPrize possible.  Another year, another great event.  Please read a few articles below:

• ArtPrize On Screen Offers Critically Acclaimed Work from Local and National Talent  
• ArtPrize Announces Winners of the $500,000 at the Eighth Annual Event

On September 23, the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council (MFOAC) met for its final 2016 meeting in Grand Rapids at the Ladies Literary Club during the first week of Artprize. Guest presenters during the Council meeting were Mr. Christian Gaines, Artprize Executive Director, who acknowledged 2016 as the second year for ArtPrize On Screen and gave a shout out to the MFDMO for sponsoring the “Michigan Film & Digital Media Office ‘Short’ Award.”  Also speaking to the Council was Ms. Ella Swift, a location scout for The Alchemist Cookbook, a film made with great community support from the folks in Allegan, Michigan.  Council Chair Bill Ludwig announced Governor Snyder’s appointments of Niki Adams, Andriy Pereklita and Dan Lemieux to the Council, as well as the reappointments of Council members Rick Hert and Joe Voss.     

For those with a background in production, chances are likely that you have utilized and/or are registered in our production directory. Now that the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office has expanded our scope to include more of the creative industries, it makes sense to also expand our production directory to now include a variety of categories specific to game development.

These game development/design listings will help the MFDMO document the breadth of talent in the State of Michigan both to entrepreneurs looking to invest here and to our indigenous companies seeking to find quality employees for their teams.

 
It is free to create a listing and we only ask that for each listing created, you have one verifiable professional credit. The main categories in the game development guide include, but are not limited to Digital Art, Programming, Languages, Gaming, Game Design, Game Writing, Modeling/Simulation, and Gaming Production.

The YPSI24 Hour Film Shootout competition took place over a 24 hour period on October 8th and 9th in which independent filmmakers had to assemble a crew and shoot their film.

While the filmmakers are competing for cash and prizes, they also are able to hold their work up against their peers and enjoy the process of completing a project under a very tight deadline. 

On October 14th, all the participants and organizers gathered to screen their works and award the winning films. 

VIEW ALL THE WINNING FILMS HERE 

The Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival is the perfect blend of independent film and live indie music.  This year's HHMFM festival took place September 22-25 in Bay City and by all accounts it was another successful year.

HHMFM sets itself apart from other festivals by making live indie music a large component, but also does a great job of community involvement and organization through their half mile run and by incorporating a crowdfunding rally for the competing filmmakers.

Congratulations to all the HHMFM festival participants and winners.  

Check out this cool promo video for 2016 HHMFM fest

Fresh Coast Film Festival is in it's inaugural year and the concept is refreshing.  It is a documentary film festival celebrating the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest.  Fresh Coast FF took place this past weekend, October 13-16 in Marquette.

Taking one look at some of the content that been coming out after Fresh Coast leaves us awe-inspired and excited about the potential for this festival.  Please check them out at FreshCoastFilm.com and read a few of the articles that talk up the festival. 

• 'Fresh' look at films -  Fresh Coast Film Festival kicks off - Marquette Mining Journal 
• Marquette Fresh Coast Film Festival Mixes Adrenaline and Soul - MyNorth.com

For the second consecutive year the MFDMO sponsored Digital Summit Detroit, the premiere conference for digital branding strategies.  

Once again, we offered a contest in which college students who submitted information about their college program, their general interests in digital/new media, and what the MFDMO can do to better support this industry in Michigan, and these students received complimentary passes to Digital Summit Detroit.  We received submissions from students attending Michigan State University, U of M Dearborn, University of Michigan, Adrian College, Wayne State University, Delta College, Motion Picture Institute, Central Michigan University and Olivet College.  This event is an important professional development opportunity for these students who can apply emerging trends in digital marketing strategies to their continued education.

Dates for the 2017 Digital Summit Detroit have been set for September 12-13.