September Newsletter

Digital Summit Detroit, Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival, ArtPrize, and Earthwork Harvest Gathering among events occurring in Sept.

Fall is in the air and the range and breadth of creative industry events occurring in the great State of Michigan over the next month is simply astounding. Kicking things off, the Digital Summit Series returns to Detroit September 12-13. The following weekend includes the rescheduled 2018 Grand Rapids Film Festival September 15-16. On September 19th ArtPrize 10 opens in Grand Rapids. The weekend of September 21-23, Lake City, Michigan plays host to the Earthwork Harvest Gathering.  To wrap up the month, head to Bay City for the 13th Annual Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival, September 27-30. We will preview all of these events and more in this month's newsletter. So bust out your pumpkin spiced latte's and strap in. It's going to be an eventful September.

Digital Summit Detroit offers up an array of useful content for digital marketing and storytelling professionals

We’re proud to support the this year’s 4th annual Digital Summit Detroit, coming back to the Cobo Center September 12-13. Join us and 1600+ of your peers — and dig deep into the latest digital marketing trends and practices from leading brands.

Here’s what’s in store for you this year:

• Confirmed keynotes from the incomparable Chelsea Handler, plus Founder of The Onion, Scott Dikkers, and Evernote CMO, Andrew Malcolm
• 50+ in-depth sessions from the likes of Waze, Discover, BuzzFeed, LinkedIn, Jaguar Land Rover, and many more
• 1600+ seasoned digital marketers like you onsite. Think of all the networking and deal-making possibilities
• Fun extras like parties, swag, free wifi, and more

See the full program and speaker list at digitalsummitdetroit.com and use our special promo code DETFRIEND75 and get $75 off your pass. Only a limited number of seats available.

Don't miss this cutting edge digital marketing event!

ArtPrize has been celebrating public art for the last ten years in Downtown Grand Rapids

ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days every other fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes are awarded each year, which include a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts.   Any artist working in any medium from anywhere in the world can participate. Art is exhibited throughout downtown Grand Rapids—museums, bars, public parks, restaurants, theaters, hotels, bridges, laundromats, auto body shops, vacant storefronts and office spaces. Artists and venues register for the competition then find each other through an online connections process in late spring. No one at ArtPrize selects a single artist or artwork, directs an artist where to show work or directs a venue what to show. In 2018, 1,260+ works created by 1,400+ artists from 41 states and 40 countries will be exhibited in 165+ venues.   ArtPrize is free and open to the public and now attracts over 500,000 visitors, making it the most attended public art event in the world in 2014 and 2015, according the The Art Newspaper’s annual “Big Ticket List.”   ArtPrize is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ArtPrize 10 will take place from September 19 -- October 7, 2018.   ArtPrize alternates years with "Project 1 by ArtPrize"—a new event to launch in 2019, slated to engage a single artist or small group of artists to present a dynamic citywide public art project. Learn more at project1byartprize.org.

ArtPrize On Screen Returns to ArtPrize 10

ArtPrize On Screen is back for another year with 12 new narrative, documentary and short films. Feature films will each be preceded by a Michigan-made short, curated by UICA's Open Projector Night Series. ArtPrize On Screen is presented by the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and produced by Studio C. 

Free and open to all, screenings will take place from September 19-22 at the 41 Sheldon Blvd SE theater. Get details on each film below and be sure to reserve your tickets early as seating is limited.

Free Tickets

Tickets to all ArtPrize On Screen film screenings are free, and seating is limited. Be sure to reserve your seats—up to 4 tickets per film—early. 

RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKETS

The Schedule

September 19 - "Kusama: Infinity" (feature) / "Voyager" (short) - 7:00 p.m.

September 20 - "Love, Gilda" (feature) / "You Too" (short) - 6:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.

September 21 - "Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story" (feature) / "Starry Skies" (short) - 7:00 p.m.  "Relaxer" (feature) / "Visas" (short) - 9:00 p.m.

September 22 - "Bisbee '17" (feature) / "Some Angels Fight" (short) - 6:30 p.m.  "White Rabbit" (feature) / "One Shot" (short) - 9:30 p.m.

Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival preps for it's 13th tilt in Bay City, Michigan, September 27-30

Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival returns to Bay City for their annual celebration of some of the best independent film and musical acts from throughout Michigan and the Midwest.  Traditionally taking place the last weekend of September, the HHMFMF gives filmmakers, film goers, and audiophiles alike something to look forward to as we slowly inch into the fall season.

Hell’s Half Mile Events is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and expanding the art of independent film, music, and entertainment. They strive to exceed expectations, while inspiring their community to participate in the arts. 

Provide the alternative, entertain & inspire!

Hell’s Half Mile is four days and nights of independent film, music and fun in Downtown Bay City, MI taking place each year in late September. Hell’s Half Mile organizers continue to strive to be an innovative festival for genuinely independent films and original music. This festival is about connecting filmmakers and musicians with the festival-goers. Period. Well, parties too.

Crowdfunding Rally & partnership with Seed&Spark

The Hell’s Half Mile Film & Music Festival, along with partners Seed&Spark and the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, is excited to present our 4th annual Crowdfunding Rally.  The Crowdfunding Rally creates the opportunity for filmmakers to capitalize on the excitement of film festivals by helping them convert festival-going fans into contributors. It’s designed for filmmakers who are ready to start crowdfunding their next project, or who are looking for a fresh approach to supplement their current funding efforts.    The Crowdfunding Rally is a two-part event that begins and ends online, but makes a pit stop with a live pitch event at the 13th annual Hell’s Half Mile Film & Music Festival. If your project is chosen to participate then you’ll be asked to set up a campaign on Seed&Spark, if you haven’t already created one for their Hometown Heroes rally. Seed&Spark’s online crowdfunding platform is used to collect all the contributions that come your way from our audience, as well as from your network of friends and family in your own social media campaign.    Just consider Hell’s Half Mile to be that friend you’ve asked to “check out” your crowdfunding campaign and “share” it with our friends. And the cool part is, all our friends LOVE independent film!

Upper Peninsula web series, Northbound, treating locals to sneak peek of Season 3 at two events this week

Next week, catch up with The Northstar Saga & get a first-look at #Northbound3 before anyone else! There are two dates: Cold Iron Brewing (9/11 @ 6:30pm) and with the Friends of the Braumart (9/14 @ 6pm). Tickets for the #Braumart screening are available online or at the box office: https://goo.gl/rZJG8f

God Bless the Broken Road Opens in Theaters

God Bless the Broken Road is the newest production to come out of Michigan-based 10 West Studios.  This homegrown film benefited from the now-defunct Michigan Film Incentive program and was approved before the Legislature discontinued the program in July of 2015.  It was written, directed, and produced by Scottville’s Harold Cronk, who directed God is Not Dead and God is Not Dead 2.

The film follows Amber Hill, a mother and widow whose husband died in the war in Afghanistan.  She struggles to make ends meet and is in danger of losing her home and the custody of her daughter when a rising-star NASCAR driver comes to town and helps her get a new outlook on life and faith.

Filmed throughout west Michigan, especially in Mason, Manistee, and Ottawa counties, residents may be surprised to see familiar sites in a new light.  For instance, the scenes based in Afghanistan were shot on the rolling sand dunes of Ludington State Park, and some of the small-town setting was shot on River Street in Manistee.  The film first premiered at the Manistee Ramsdell Theatre on August 24th.  It was released nation-wide on September 7th.  10 West Studios donated a portion of the film’s ownership to the Disabled American Veterans organization, so that 5% of the net profits will go to benefit the charity.

Youtube Link for official film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgz6sX6jYaI

Michigan filmmaker, It Follows producer, Rebecca Green, launches new website called 'Dear Producer'

Rebecca Green is a Michigan producer who captured lightning in a bottle in 2015 with break-out hits It Follows and I'll See You In My Dreams.  She has started a new website called 'Dear Producer.'  Here is what it's all about in her own words.   "Through my conversations with you, my fellow producers, I have noticed a common thread: you feel unseen, unheard, and unappreciated. Yet, despite all this invisibility, your passion for your work does not falter. This dedication to storytelling needs to be supported and celebrated. And so I created Dear Producer. You’ve come to a place that is specifically curated for you, the producer. A platform where you can share stories, celebrate achievements, and provide mentorship for the next generation, helping to shape and guide the world of film from the inside out.   Speaking of reshaping the world, Dear Producer was also created so we can unify our power – to challenge archaic business models that stifle diverse and original voices and to advocate for innovation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility from our industry.   By amplifying the voices of producers, we can advance career sustainability for artists and create a stronger foundation for this industry that we have dedicated our lives to, because on our own, we are strong, but together we can’t be ignored." Rebecca Green Editor-in-Chief Article Interview: New 'Dear Producer' Website Seeks to Celebrate and Inform - Film Independent

Earthwork Harvest Gathering returns to Lake City in two weeks

The Earthwork Harvest Gathering is a celebration of food and music, featuring the freshest of local ingredients and fine imported specialties. A family-friendly Gathering bringing us into contact with the abundance of our community, the Earthwork Harvest Gathering has ripened Michigan's artisan culture for 15 years and running, and hosts 2500+ attendees, who camp in the mixed hardwood forests and open meadows of Earthwork Farm every third weekend in September, annually.  Gates open to the public at 8am on Friday (Gate closes every night at midnight)  FREE water FREE showers FREE camping FREE parking 120+ bands on the bill Food from over 40 local farms 4 Stages! Workshops, Prayer, meditation and recovery circles Handmade Art from Local Artisans An all-festival water blessing and inter-faith panel discussion on water Waltz hour!! Also... Open mic every morning, co-ed basketball and whiffle ball tournaments, kids' parade, eco-friendly portable potties, a very special raffle, roving musicians and SO MUCH MORE!  For more information visit - https://earthworkharvestgathering.com/

Grand Rapids Film Festival - Take Two

Nothing can keep the Grand Rapids Film Festival down, not even Mother Nature.  After ice storms and power outages interrupted the April event, the Grand Rapids Film Festival finishes its 2018 run on September 15th and 16th.   Films will be shown at the Wealthy Theatre on Saturday; 38 feature-length and short films will play from noon to 11:30pm in themed blocks.  Festival organizers strive to show films that are both entertaining and deliver powerful messages.  This year’s line-up includes Beyond Fordlandia, a documentary about the environmental impact of Ford Motor Company on a section of the Amazon rainforest, Family Rewritten, about a young girl’s transformative experience in foster care, and Dandelions, an animated short about a girl who befriends a lethal monster.   On Sunday, the GRFF hosts Filmmaker Impact Talks at The Knickerbocker New Holland Brewing from 5pm-8pm.  There, attendees can meet regional filmmakers and hear stories about how film has inspired them.   The Michigan Film and Digital Media Office is proud to sponsor the Grand Rapids Film Festival, and we are happy that even Michigan weather couldn’t keep the GRFF from sharing all it has to offer.  Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance for the Filmmaker Impact Talks ($10 at the door, though spots are limited) or for Saturday film blocks at www.grfilmfestival.com.  The website still shows the April dates, but Saturday events are on Saturday, September 15th, and the Impact Talks are on Sunday, September 16th.

Notice: future applicants to the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office's Sponsorship Program

Michigan has a robust calendar of film and digital media events across the state, both an indication and celebration of its active and passionate creative community. The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO) seeks opportunities to promote, support and participate those events that elevate its creative industry and community.  

Starting in September of 2018 applications will be taken only through an online link on the MFDMO home page.

Please be aware of the following guidelines, effective immediately:

• No new events will be sponsored between August 1 and September 30; you may still apply during that period for events occurring AFTER October 1; however, approved events will not be funded until after October 1 … 

• Beginning in FY2019 (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019), event applications must be received at least ninety (90) days in advance of the event to give MFDMO adequate time to review and process applications…

• Respond to the Pure Michigan® Focus and Goals and the MFDMO Strategic Plan goals in your responses as appropriate (see Help notes or embedded resource documents for each category in the online application.) We consider these factors when evaluating the applications on a case-by-case basis…

• Open and read the Deliverables document embedded within the application; do not request funds at any level beyond which you cannot fulfill all the Deliverables specified…

• If you have any questions or need additional information about sponsorship opportunities and requirements, send your questions to MFDMOevents@michigan.org, Attn: Lynn McNamara.

Thank you for all you do to support the film and creative industries.  We look forward to working with you!

For Michigan's 4th-8th grade educators; implementing a computer science education into the classroom has never been easier than with Google's CS First program

In November of 2015 the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office partnered with Google to make computer science programs more accessible and approachable for 4th-8th grade students across Michigan.  From it's inception in 2015 through the 2017 summer camp activities, the MFDMO CS First program has been immensely popular.    The Google CS First program is a free software platform that has students engaging in computer programming across nine different themes (animation, art, fashion, friends, game design, music & sound, social media, sports and storytelling). Visit www.cs-first.com for additional details about the program. The MFDMO invites all Michigan educators, schools, school districts and school programs to sign up for CS First through our online portal which can be accessed HERE.   We also must mention that new schools signing up for CS First through the MFDMO portal will be given 20 pairs of headphones for use in the classroom.  Also, every school that signs up will have the ability to reward students who complete themes in their CS First clubs with all new digital badges.  These badges allow the students to add their success in the CS First program to their other scholarly achievements.  For more info about either the headphones or the digital badge offer, click HERE. For additional information about the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office's CS First program, click HERE.

TEDxDetroit will feature the MEDC's own Trevor Pawl, several other talented creatives who are shaping the future in Detroit

TEDxDetroit announced its 2018 speaker lineup for its 10-year anniversary event on Sept. 26.

This year’s event, at Detroit's Masonic Temple from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature more than 20 innovators from Michigan to share insightful stories and wisdom with the audience. 

Speakers will include:

• Jemele Hill and Kelley Carter, ESPN contributors, Michigan State and Free Press alumni. 
• Stuart MacDonald, considered one of the top magicians in the world at the FISM World Championship of Magic.
• Kate Biberdorf, scientist, chemistry professor and self-proclaimed pyromaniac known as Kate the Chemist who’s using fire to get students excited about STEM. 
• Cyrus Mistry, senior product manager at Google who is helping Michigan universities innovate with distance learning tools.
• Melissa Butler, entrepreneur who turned "Shark Tank" failure into business success as founder of The Lip Bar.
• Charyse Bailey, better known by the stage name Mahogany Jones, an inspirational female singer, songwriter, community activist and arts educator.
• Greg Gage, DIY neuroscientist, co-founder of Backyard Brains and TED Fellow who is hacking cockroaches and Venus flytrap to unlock the human brain.  
• Bob Waltenspiel and David Phillips, founders of Podcast Detroit and IT in the D, who are using beer and a podcasting studio to help Detroiters find new careers. 
• Roop Raj, news anchor who is studying how people, cities and brand rethink and reinvent themselves.
• Trevor Pawl, PlanetM initiative leader helping Michigan cities adapt to a world filled with self-driving cars.
• Shawn Lee, photographer, educator and entrepreneur helping young artists find their way and create with enthusiasm.
• John Dunivant, artist, painter and co-founder of Theatre Bizarre who helped transform an illegal masquerade party into one of Detroit’s most popular cultural events. 
• Ali Dirul, CEO of Ryter Cooperative Industries who is developing a grassroots approach to connect Detroit neighborhoods with solar power.
• Dr. Ravina Kullar, an infectious disease researcher working to slow antibiotic resistance. 
• Andy Beningo, one Detroit’s favorite comedians who’s earning laughs on the national stage.
• Alex Linebrink, serial financial tech entrepreneur, blockchain advocate, and CEO of Passage Inc. — a company disrupting the ticketing industry.
• Jenny and Chris McCuiston, founders of Goldfish Swim School who’ve made a splash sharing their love of swimming with kids at 63 schools across the country.
• Grace Hsia, Co-Founder and CEO of Warmilu — a company saving premature infants around the globe with their nonelectric warming technology.
• Undra Mack II and Austin Mack, the preteen authors, entrepreneurs and app developers.
• Alina Morse, the eighth-grade founder of Zollipops who decided there’s no reason candy can’t be delicious and good for your teeth while building a multimillion dollar company.

The sessions will showcase a variety of subtopics and styles of speakers, dedicated to share positive ideas for the world from Detroit through TED Talks videos and live speakers to spark deep discussion and connection. Presenters were chosen from more than 300 proposals submitted before July 1.

In addition to the TED talks and live performances from Detroit-based artists, a business expo, art gallery, science fair and tech demo day happen alongside TEDxDetroit. Exhibitors range from tech startups to pop-up shops to maker spaces.

Tickets are $85. For more information, visit: www.TedXDetroit.com.

Upcoming Events

Now-Sept. 30 - Month of Design (Detroit Design Festival) - Detroit

Sept. 12-13 - Digital Summit Detroit - Detroit

Sept. 13 - Drinks x Design - Detroit

Sept. 12-16 - Soo Film Festival - Sault Ste. Marie

Sept. 19-21 - Technology in Motion - Detroit

Sept. 19-Oct. 7 - ArtPrize - Grand Rapids

Sept. 20 - Eastern Market After Dark - Detroit

Sept. 21-23 - Earthworks Harvest Gathering - Lake City

Sept. 27-30 - Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival - Bay City

Oct. 11-14 - Royal Starr Film Festival - Royal Oak

Oct. 18-21 - Fresh Coast Film Festival - Marquette

Entry Deadline

Sept. 17 - Sundance Ignite 2019