Ann Arbor Film Festival Makes a Grand Return with a Hybrid Twist:
In-Person & Online Screenings
A Week of Cinematic Innovation: Over 180 Films from 20+ Countries at the
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Summary
- The Ann Arbor Film Festival, the oldest independent experimental film festival in North America, is returning this week for its 62nd year.
- The festival will include in-person and online events from March 26-31, with extended digital access until April 7.
- Over 180 films from more than 20 countries will be showcased, including experimental, animated, documentary, and narrative films, as well as performance-based pieces.
- Categories such as “Film in Competition,” “Feature in Competition,” “Special Programs,” and the new “Off The Screen” series dedicated to new media, live art performances, and installations will be featured.
- The festival will kick off with artist David Olson’s live performance and continue with an opening celebration, film showcases, and an after-party.
- The festival will also compensate competing filmmakers and conclude with an awards ceremony.
- Some events will be free to ensure wider accessibility.
The celebrated Ann Arbor Film Festival is making its much-anticipated return this week, upholding its rich tradition of showcasing a broad spectrum of experimental films. Since its inception in 1963, the festival proudly enters its 62nd year, maintaining its status as the oldest independent experimental film festival across North America.
This installment of the festival presents a unique blend of in-person and online events, set to take place from March 26-31 for physical attendance and extended digital access until April 7. Offering a diverse lineup, the festival will highlight over 180 films spanning more than 20 countries, encapsulating a wide range of film types including but not limited to experimental, animated, documentary, and narrative, as well as performance-based pieces.
Throughout the week, attendees can look forward to categories like “Film in Competition,” “Feature in Competition,” “Special Programs,” along with the newly introduced “Off The Screen” series dedicated to new media, live art performances, and installations.
Kicking off on March 26, multifaceted artist David Olson will inaugurate the festival with his live “Off The Screen” performance titled Grafica Harmolodica at 4:30 p.m. in the U-M North Quad. This opening act is free and features art installations that will be showcased throughout the festival’s duration.
The festivities continue with an opening celebration from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Michigan Theater, complemented by refreshments courtesy of local Ann Arbor establishments like the Ann Arbor Distilling Company, Bigalora, Jerusalem Garden, Zingerman’s, among others. The first film showcase follows at 8:15 p.m. in the main auditorium, succeeded by an after-party marking the festival’s commencement.
Continuing for the fourth consecutive year, the Ann Arbor Film Festival proudly compensates its competing filmmakers. The festivities conclude on Sunday with an awards ceremony, highlighting the week’s events and celebrating the participating filmmakers through screenings of the award-winning entries.
While tickets are needed for most festival activities, several free events will be available, ensuring the accessibility of cinema to wider audiences.
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