24 Hours to Go, 24 Things You Should Know

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It’s that time of year again –less than 24 hours until the Opening Night Movie officially kicks off the 2015 Traverse City Film Festival!

To celebrate, here are 24 facts, activities, and more about the 11th annual TCFF:

  1. Take a look at the future of storytelling with The Woz, right here at the InsideOut Gallery. Walk in anytime between 12 noon and 9 pm, Wednesday through Saturday, to experience games and interactive media projects beyond the typical screen–for free!14627881380_432f208345_z
  2. Have some fun with fellow film lovers after the shows? Take a look at our great lineup of parties here!
  3. Our wonderful group of volunteers is what makes the e ntire festival possible. There are always shifts available, so help us out and have some fun and get great perks in the process.
  4. Of course, movies are not just for adults. The under-12 crowd loves our Kids Fest, with great movies for just $1, free popcorn, and plenty of great activities at our lawn party following the screenings at Lars Hockstad Wednesday – Saturday.
  5. Also family friendly, we sought out the best new movies for the generation currently coming of age with our selection of PG #Tween.
  6. Heard the hype about the growing Northern Michigan food scene? Experience it firsthand with The Sidebar: Food on Film, enjoying small bites while listening in on candid discussion with stars of the food scene.
  7. To celebrate the landmark Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ rights, we are showcasing films exploring LGBTQ Equality.
  8. It’s back! Informal discussions follow select screenings of the films in our Cinema Salon After the movies, come to The Patio on the bay in Clinch Park to talk with other film-going enthusiasts.14627989977_0a15d4eece_z
  9. The Buzz @ InsideOut Gallery is home to FREE films all day, ever day. Grab your free tickets and enjoy a great movie or special event – this one’s on us!
  10. Set sail on the Nauti-Cat, the largest sailing catamaran on the Great Lakes to see Movies on a Boat, screening under the stars on the Grand Traverse Bay.
  11. Keep the fun going after the screenings with Movies on Tap. Join TCFF staff, filmmakers, and volunteers at these afterparties, starting at 7 pm nightly.
  12. Grab a blanket and join us for another excellent lineup of movies at the Open Space, watching some of Hollywood’s most beloved films on a 65-foot screen on the Grand Traverse Bay. And the best part – it’s free!
  13. We have a number of great guests in town, like Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of the beloved Charlie Chaplin; Kathryn Altman, wife of the legendary filmmaker Robert Altman; and B-movie legend Roger Corman, who will be accepting this year’s Michigan Filmmaker Award.
  14. Our guest list keeps growing, with over 120 film professionals in attendance. Just recently, we’ve added Megan Delaney, producer of “The Wolfpack,”as well as subjects Govinda, Narayana, and Mukunda Angulo to talk about one of this year’s most popular docs.
  15. Our pre-show content is the best and biggest around, with over 80 live musical acts performing before screenings, on a bayfront music stage, and at parties. Take a look here.
  16. Don’t forget – nothing is ever sold out at the TCFF! If a show is listed as “standby only,” a standby ticket line will form one hour before the screening, and a few available seats will open up to those who wait!
  17. “Just Great Movies” is the phrase you’ve heard from us from day 1 as a festival over a decade ago, and it’s what we’ve strived for every time. So take a chance on a film – you won’t be disappointed.
  18. 14628074407_3713130358_zWe are thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite TCFF fixtures, movie-aficionado and comedian Doug Benson. Don’t miss a live taping of his wildly popular Doug Loves Movies Podcast (Wednesday 9 pm, Old Town Playhouse), or join us for “The Benson Movie Interruption” of “Speed” (Saturday 12 midnight, State Theatre) and “Top Gun” (Thursday 9 pm, Old Town Playhouse) – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Trust us.
  19. The TCFF Film School returns to Northwestern Michigan College’s Scholars Hall this year, for another round of classes where our filmmaking experts show aspiring students how it’s done. We recommend “Indie Darling Bob Byington’s Guide to Filmmaking,” where you’ll hear from one of our favorite award-winning writer/directors. And all classes are only $5.
  20. Get your morning started listening to our free daily Film Panels, 9:30 am at the City Opera House. We’ll have a great lineup of filmmakers and industry professionals from across the globe talking cinema with each other and the audience. Even better, it’s free and open to the public. Don’t miss Saturday’s Comedy Panel, the one that you’ll be talking about all year-round.14633993729_d731e13e0f_z
  21. If it seems like you can’t watch enough movies because there are only so many hours in the day, our shorts programs are perfect for you. The documentary shorts program “Character Study” is a staff favorite, featuring “Body Team 12” producer Bryn Mooser in person, and “Amanda F***ing Plamer” director Ondi Timoner via Skype.
  22. We love Michigan. You love Michigan. What better way to show our affection for the Great Lakes State than showcasing films that are close to home? Made by filmmakers around the state or about subjects in familiar territory, check out great cinema with “From This Day Forward,” “T-Rex,” “20 Years of Madness,” and “A Courtship.”
  23. Keep in touch! Get festival updates by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, our app, and our blog.
  24. We want to be clear – our festival could not exist without our amazing team of sponsors, patrons, and volunteers. Whether it’s watching movies or helping to usher a film, every year, your dedication to our shared passion is what keeps the Traverse City Film Festival going. We cannot say thank you enough. Let’s make TCFF 11 the best year yet!

IMG_0186Katy Gwizdala is a Michigan native who currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. You can find her arguing with friends, colleagues, and her cat about all things pop culture. Follow on Twitter @katygwizdala.