May Newsletter

Cinetopia primer, recaps of Elcipse and Detroit Music Awards shows, plus more...

Spring is in the air...finally.  The seasonal temperatures are welcome relief around these parts, especially considering that production schedules are ramping up and there are creative projects and events abound throughout the state.  Here at the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO), we are finding our footing with our recent staffing transitions and are looking forward to engaging creatives throughout what's sure to be a busy spring and summer.  In this month's newsletter, we'll take a look at the upcoming Cinetopia Film Festival, get to know Michigan Film Office Advisory Council appointee, Eric Kuiper, and recap several events that have occurred in the past few weeks.

Cinetopia Film Festival curates content that has screened at some of the world's best film festivals

The Cinetopia Film Festival returns to Southeast Michigan for an 11-day run May 31 - June 10.  Cinetopia's lineup this year is fantastic and festival attendees will be treated to a range of feature-length dramas, comedies, and documentaries that have shown in prestigious film festivals across the globe such as Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice, Berlin, SXSW and Tribecca.  In addition to the many great film screenings, has additional programming of interest, such as the Arab Film Festival, the Detroit Voices Short Film Competition, and the U-M Screen Arts Mavericks and Makers Symposium.  We'll take a closer look at this year's Cinetopia lineup. 

Cinetopia Lineup at a Glance

Thursday, May 31

Eighth Grade - Michigan Theater 8:00 p.m. 

Friday, June 1

Hal - Michigan Theatre 5:45 p.m.

This is Home - State Theatre 5:45 p.m.

Under the Tree - State Theatre 5:45 p.m.

Three Identical Strangers - State Theatre 6:00 p.m.

Nico, 1988 - State Theatre 6:15 p.m.

The Princess Bride (FREE SCREENING) - Maynard 8:00 p.m.

White Rabbit - State Theatre 8:00 p.m.

The Guilty - State Theatrer 8:15 p.m.

Madeline's Madeline - Michigan Theater 8:30 p.m.

Butterflies - State Theatre 8:45 p.m.

A Boy, A Girl. A Dream: Love on Election Night - Michigan Theater 9:00 p.m.

Never Goin' Back - State Theatre 9:00 p.m. 

Saturday, June 2

Best of the Fest: Children's Film Festival Seattle 2018 - Michigan Theater 12:05 p.m.

Anote's Ark - Michigan Theater 12:30 p.m.

The Great Buddha+ - State Theatre 1:00 p.m.

The Guilty - State Theatre 1:15 p.m.

Scaffolding - Michigan Theater 3:00 p.m.

Supa Modo - State Theatre 3:15 p.m.

Butterflies - State Theatre 3:30 p.m.

Three Identical Strangers - Michigan Theater 3:30 p.m.

Nico, 1988 - State Theatre 3:45 p.m.

We the Animals - State Theatre 3:45 p.m.

Angels Wear White - State Theatre 6:15 p.m.

Under the Tree - Michigan Theater 6:30 p.m.

Woman Walks Ahead - Michigan Theater 6:45 p.m.

306 Hollywood - State Theatre 6:45 p.m.

The Big House - State Theatre 7:00 p.m.

Savage Youth - State Theatre 7:15 p.m.

Relaxer - Michigan Theater 9:30 p.m.

Night is Short, Walk on Girl - State Theatre 9:45 p.m. 

Sunday, June 3

The Legacies Project - Michigan Theater 11:00 a.m.

Angels Wear White - State Theatre 12:15 p.m.

Butterflies - State Theatre 12:30 p.m.

Supa Modo - Michigan Theater 12:45 p.m.

306 Hollywood - State Theatre 1:00 p.m.

White Rabbit - State Theatre 1:15 p.m.

Woman Walks Ahead - State Theatre 3:30 p.m.

Soufra - Michigan Theater 3:45 p.m.

Three Identical Strangers - State Theatre 3:45 p.m.

The Great Buddha+ - State Theatre 4:00 p.m.

Hearts Beat Loud - Michigan Theater 4:00 p.m.

Savage Youth - State Theatre 5:00 p.m.

Ray Meets Helen - Michigan Theater 7:00 p.m. 

Monday, June 4

306 Hollywood - Michigan Theater 4:30 p.m.

Remember My Name - Michigan Theater 7:00 p.m.

Night is Short, Walk on Girl - State Theatre 7:45 p.m.

Madeline's Madeline - Michigan Theater 8:00 p.m.

Choose Me - Michigan Theater 9:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, June 5

Angels Wear White - State Theatre 4:00 p.m.

We the Animals - State Theatre 7:00 p.m.

The Moderns - Michigan Theatre 8:15 p.m.

The Great Buddha+ - Stsate Theatre 9:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, June 6

Under the Tree - State Theatre 4:15 p.m.

Anote's Ark - Michigan Theater 4:30 p.m.

Beauty and the Dogs - Arab American National Museum 6:45 p.m.

Detroit Voices Short Film Competition - Detroit Film Theatre 7:00 p.m.

Of Love and Law - Michigan Theater 7:00 p.m.

Loving Vincent - New Center Park 8:00 p.m.

Scaffolding - State Theatre 9:15 p.m.

White Rabbit - Michigan Theater 9:30 p.m. 

Thursday, June 7

Soufra - Michigan Theater 4:00 p.m.

Of Love and Law - State Theatre 4:15 p.m.

Wajib - Arab American National Museum 6:00 p.m.

Nico, 1988 - State Theatre 7:00 p.m.

Bisbee '17 - Michigan Theater 7:15 p.m.

Beauty and the Dogs - State Theatre 9:30 p.m.

Relaxer - Michigan Theater 10:00 p.m. 

Friday, June 8

Quiet Heroes - Michigan Theater 1:30 p.m.

Thirst for Justice - Michigan Theatre 4:00 p.m.

Bisbee '17 - State Theatre 4:15 p.m.

Mr. Gay Syria - Arab American National Museum 4:30 p.m.

Blindspotting - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 6:30 p.m.

Cinematic Journey Through the Arab World: Celebrating Arab Women Filmmakers - Arab American National Museum 6:45 p.m.

Never Goin' Back - College for Creative Studies 7:15 p.m.

Angels Wear White - State Theatre 7:15 p.m.

The Guilty - Cinema Detroit 7:30 p.m.

The Last Race - The Henry Ford 7:30 p.m.

Relaxer - College for Creative Studies 9:30 p.m.

Night is Short, Walk on Girl - Cinema Detroit 9:45 p.m. 

Saturday, June 9

The Nile Hilton Incident - Arab American National Museum 11:00 a.m.

Cinematic Journey Through the Arab World: Everyday Heroes - Arab American National Museum 2:00 p.m.

Footprints of Pan-Africanism - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 2:00 p.m.

This is Home - Michigan Theater 2:00 p.m.

Hal - State Theatre 2:30 p.m.

White Rabbit - College for Creative Studies 2:30 p.m.

Ann Arbor Film Festival Touring Program - Cinema Detroit 4:00 p.m.

Butterflies - State Theatre 4:30 p.m.

Bisbee '17 - Michigan Theater 4:45 p.m.

We the Animals - College for Creative Studies 5:00 p.m.

Of Love and Law - Cinema Detroit 7:00 p.m.

Soufra - Arab American National Museum 7:15 p.m.

Savage Youth - State Theatre 7:15 p.m.

The Last Race - Michigan Theater 7:30 p.m.

Personal Problems - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 7:30 p.m.

Madeline's Madeline - College for Creative Studies 8:00 p.m. 

Sunday, June 10

Supa Modo - College for Creative Studies 12:30 p.m.

The Big House - Michigan Theater 1:00 p.m.

This is Home - Arab American National Museum 1:00 p.m.

Quiet Heroes - State Theatre 1:15 p.m.

The Blackness Project - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 2:00 p.m.

Hal - Cinema Detroit 2:00 p.m.

Love, Gilda - Detroit Film Theatre 2:00 p.m.

Where To?/A Certain Nasser - Arab American National Museum 3:30 p.m.

The Guilty - State Theatre 3:45 p.m.

Hearts Beat Loud - Cinema Detroit 4:30 p.m.

Of Love and Law - Michigan Theater 5:15 p.m.

A Boy, A Girl. A Dream: Love on Election Night - College for Creative Studies 6:00 p.m.

Bisbee '17 - State Theatre 6:30 p.m.

Blindspotting - Michigan Theater 8:00 p.m.

For complete schedule and description of films visit HERE. 

Eclipse Awards honors Michigan's top filmmakers and talent in film and television production

On May 3rd nominees and their guests gathered for the 7th Annual Eclipse Awards at the McCay Tower Ballroom in downtown Grand Rapids.  The nominees were selected among several categories including acting, animation, cinematography, directing, editing, scoring and sound design among others.  The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office would like to thank all the nominees for their dedication to their craft and working to make our state a hub for talent in film and television production.  We also offer our congratulations to all of the winners from this year's Eclipse Awards.  Finally, we'd like to congratulate this year's Hyperion Award winner, Mark Adler.  The Hyperion Award is given to an individual for their lifetime achievements in film and television production.  Mark has been a strong advocate for those wishing to make a career in Michigan working in production.  Mark's level of expertise has always been appreciated in the year's he has advised the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office.  Congratulations Mark, well-deserved!

View the 2018 Eclipse Award winners 

Hyperion Award press release

Q&A with Michigan Film Office Advisory Council member, Eric Kuiper

Q: Eric, congratulations on your appointment to the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council.  Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?   Thanks! I am honored to serve on this council.   After graduating from Calvin College with degree in Communications, I spent the following 15 years working in the non-profit world. Much of my work was focused on programming and leadership development. I’m fascinated by the power of communal experiences and the way they help people make meaning in their lives. I went on to get a Masters in Theology and Popular Culture, which really fueled my love for film and music. 4 years ago Studio C (then Celebration! Cinema) approached me about a position in their programming department. It seemed like the perfect next evolution for my passion and gifts, so I made the jump. After learning more about the industry from the inside I transitioned into my current role as Chief Creative Officer for Studio C, overseeing programming, marketing and brand development.   Q: I imagine most folks across the State of Michigan are familiar with Celebration! Cinema.  For those who are not, what would you tell them about the brand?   Founded in 1944, Celebration! Cinema owns and operates movie theatres in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Gaines Township, Grandville, Lansing, Okemos, Muskegon/ Norton Shores, Portage, Benton Harbor and Mt. Pleasant, MI.   Three generations of Loeks family leadership have helped the company grow to be West & Central MI’s premiere theatre exhibition company. In the early years, Jack Loeks focused on growth with highly efficient two & four screen theatres, followed by drive-in theatres. In the 1970’s, he saw an opportunity to return to the concept of movie palace with Studio 28, which for a time was the world’s largest theatre.  John Loeks launched the brand Celebration! Cinema in 1990, and with it began a rapid conversion of the circuit to modern, stadium-seated multiplex theatres. Since then the theatre circuit has grown to include twelve locations, including the Getty Drive-In Theatre in Muskegon.   In 2018, under the leadership of JD Loeks, the company changed its name to Studio C. While continuing to operate a number of movie theatres under the name Celebration! Cinema, the expanding nature of experiences the company is offering moving forward requires a new name and approach to the brand. Most notably, as a part of the Studio Park development in downtown Grand Rapids, Studio C will own and operate a 9 screen theatre, a live music venue, a restaurant, residential lofts and condos and program an outdoor piazza space designed to gather the community throughout the year.      Q: Can you speak a bit about the Studio Park development project?  What sort of impact do you envision Studio Park having on the downtown Grand Rapids community?   Studio Park will be a new hub for the entertainment district in downtown Grand Rapids. Having a space that includes a movie theatre, live music venue, a range of dining options and other event spaces, all in one spot, is really unique. You add into that the chance for people to live and work there and suddenly the city has pop culture center like never before. Being close neighbors with Van Andel Arena, Founders Brewing Company, the art museums and other music venues is really exciting. Together all of these cultural institutions are creating a thriving city core that Grand Rapids has been wanting for a long time. Studio Park is the next big piece to that puzzle and we can’t wait to open things up later in 2019.   Q: The Studio Park project was awarded $5.5M in funding through the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, correct?  Can you speak about why these funds are crucial toward the completion of the Studio Park project and how the funding will be leveraged?   The MSF loan will be used to compliment the equity investment in the theatre and residential portions of the project. With a project of this magnitude, it required leveraging all of our existing assets as well as these funds to come up with the necessary funds to complete the project.    Q: What are your aspirations for your term serving on the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council?   I’m interested in helping nurture the film community in Michigan. Whether it be fostering new and interesting connections between filmmakers and film exhibitors, furthering the growth of festivals in our state or creating other experiences for people centered around storytelling, growing film lovers in our state is an important piece to the economic and cultural make up of our region. Studio Park development receives $5.5 million in state loan support

1st Annual Adrian International Film Festival gets underway tonight

The 1st Annual Adrian International Film Festival begins tonight and continues through Saturday evening.  They will be screening nearly 40 films across 8 venues in Adrian.  The films include feature-length, documentaries, shorts, animation, and student films.  Additional programming includes film market events that will have demonstrations or engaging conversations.    The effort to pull together a film festival in Adrian was truly a grassroots effort by community members with a bold vision.  Another impressive aspect of the Adrian International Film Festival is that proceeds will go toward enhancing the beautification of the downtown area through added bike paths and other projects.    Start a new tradition in Adrian this weekend and support #MiFilmFestivals!    Adrian International Film Festival Lineup

Courageous Persuaders Honors Student Filmmakers

Courageous Persuaders is a high school scholarship competition that asks high school students to produce and film 30 second PSA's warning their peers of the dangers of impaired driving or driving while texting.  This year's awards celebration was held on May 2nd at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak.  The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office awarded Tyler Battershell of Lake Orion High School with a $1,000 scholarship for his video "Pieces to Pieces."  Congratulations to Tyler and to all the winners who are very deserving.  We'd also like to thank key sponsors, State Farm and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association for their continued support of this important initiative. 

2018 Courageous Persuaders Winners  

Michigan Student Film Festival going strong in it's 50th year

On April 28th, the Detroit Film Theater at the Detroit Institute of Arts played host to the 50th Michigan Student Film Festival.  Over 330 entries were received into the competition and a handful were selected as "Best of Show" entries and screened at the festival.   We'd like to thanks all the students and their families who participated in this year's festival and congratulate all of the winner's from the various competitions.    The Michigan Student Film Festival is made possible by D.A.F.T. (Digital Arts, Film, & Television), which is a 501c3 non-profit media arts education organization.     2018 Michigan Student Film Festival Photos 2018 Michigan Student Film Festival "Best of Show" Entries

Detroit Music Awards celebrates best-of-the-best in Motor City 

On Friday, May 4th, some of the best and brightest musicians in Southeast Michigan gathered at The Fillmore to celebrate the Detroit Music Awards.  With 70 awards given across 11 musical categories, musicians and bands were well represented throughout Metro Detroit.   Sponge, Kash Doll, Frontier Ruckus, and Virginia Violet and the Rays were all scheduled to give performances.  There were 3 distinguished-achievement awards given during the night; one to songwriter Allee Willis, one to Melvin Davis and another to Sponge.   The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office would like to thank the Detroit Music Awards Foundation for putting on another great show this year.  Congratulations to all the nominees and winners from this years event which can be seen in the link below.   Greta Van Fleet, Thornetta Davis win big at the Detroit Music Awards, by Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press 2018 Detroit Music Awards Winners

MFDMO seeking interns for summer, fall, and spring semesters

The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO) is accepting internship applications for the Spring & Summer 2018 terms!* This is an UNPAID internship, but college credit can be earned.   This position yields many opportunities to learn about the services and programs provided by the MFDMO, work directly with the Film Commissioner and MFDMO staff and help cultivate and foster the economic growth of the creative industries in Michigan.   Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities Assist Commissioner and MFDMO staff members in the implementation of the 2015-2016 Strategic Plan that includes recommendations related to developing public/private partnerships, enhancing talent, strengthening relationships with colleges and universities and building the digital and creative sectors in Michigan Provide support to the MFDMO staff in organizing documents, streamlining processes, preparing records for reporting purposes and helping maintain office operations Participate in meetings with various industry partners (producers, writers, designers, and other creative entrepreneurs etc.), when available   Education and Experience Knowledge and experience in relevant software applications - spreadsheets, word processing, and database management Proficiency in spelling, punctuation, grammar and other English language skills Social media experience (optional) Ability to stay on task and ask questions for clarity (preferred)   Key Competencies Attention to detail                  Confidentiality Reliability Initiative Enthusiasm   Requested Time Commitment Minimum of eight hours per week (1 full day or 2 half days) Long-term commitment preferred (i.e. school term)   * Note:  You must be actively enrolled in an academic program to be considered for an internship.  Interested?  Send your résumé to mfo@michigan.org or contact Lynn McNamara at the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office, 517-335-7197

Motor City Comic Con happening all weekend at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi

Upcoming Events

May 18-19 - Adrian International Film Festival - Adrian

May 18-20 - Motor City Comic Con - Novi

May 18-20 - East Lansing Art Festival - East Lansing

May 23 - Creatives in Residence Showcase: Matthew Conboy - Marquette

May 23 - MIX SW MI - Kalamazoo

May 24 - OCC Student Film Festival - Farmington Hills

May 26-28 - Movement Electronic Music Festival - Detroit

May 31 - ArtPrize Pitch Night Detroit - Detroit

May 31-June 10 - Cinetopia International Film Festival - Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Detroit

June 1 - 99.5 WYCD Hoedown - DTE, Auburn Hills

June 1-3 - Festival of the Arts - Grand Rapids

June 2 - Meijer Great Choices Student Film Festival - Grand Rapids

June 5 - 'Detroit Designs the World' screening - Lawrence Tech University, Southfield

June 6 - NATAS Michigan Chapter 40th Emmy Awards - Detroit

June 8-July 1 - Ann Arbor Summer Festival - Ann Arbor

June 12 - Filmmakers Community Mixer - Emagine Theaters, Royal Oak

June 14 - Drinks x Design - Detroit

June 14-17 - Detroit Music Weeekend - Detroit

June 15 - Tech Trek - Ann Arbor

June 15-17 - Buttermilk Jamboree - Delton

Submission Deadlines

June 1 - Traverse City Film Festival

June 16 - I See You Awards

June 22 - Soo Film Festival

August 1 - Royal Starr Film Festival