Archive for category: News

In anticipation of the start of this year’s Friends of the Film Festival ticketing, the State Theatre welcomed its first eager “camper” at 11 pm the night before tickets went on sale. Dennis Baur of Birmingham, MI waited in line for twelve hours so he and his wife could be the first to purchase their tickets from a long list of incredible movies. “This is our third year being a Friend of the Festival and we love seeing the people and the new attractions they create every year,” said Dennis’ wife Linda. “The festival is so well organized, the volunteers are so happy and accommodating that we just get caught up in everything.”

This year’s first person in line, Dennis Baur, receives a “First in Line” tote bag from last year’s first in line, Margaret Schaal.

Friends of the Film Festival are able to buy up to four tickets per time slot one week before the public and also receive two tickets to each of the Friends Only Screening Party films (“Divide in Concord” and “Human Capital“). David and Chris Jaymes, ten year veterans of the festival, were excited to says this was their first year standing in line and couldn’t believe they hadn’t done it sooner. They recalled their time at Opening Night of the very first festival and have been hooked ever since, increasing their involvement every year. David has also volunteer for the past seven years.

Those who dared the morning wait were let into the State at 10 am for a brief welcome and instructions. As the theater filled, the atmosphere came alive with conversation and excitement over what everyone planned to see. Buzz about films started to pop around; “The Gilded Cage,” “Land Ho!,” and “Snowpiercer” were frequently mentioned.

Max ‘Old Bear’ and Candace Lee have come every year and still get “antsy” when the schedule comes out. Candace explains how she has friends that frequently go to other film festivals yet still find the Traverse City Film Festival unique in that it is actually centered around the movies rather than endorsements or celebrities.

After being comfortably situated at the State, ticketing commenced! Our amazing interns helped the Friends down the block to the box office to purchase their tickets where they were greeted by our crack team of box office volunteers.

 The 10th Annual Traverse City Film Festival is officially underway and with that brings the smiles that come with the knowledge that this year’s festival is destined to be the best yet!

For its tenth anniversary, the Traverse City Film Festival is proud to introduce a brand new venue: The Buzz at InsideOut Gallery! Named after our beloved festival friend, the late Buzz Wilson, the venue will feature a variety of inspiring, intelligent movies completely free of charge. 

Free tickets to  screenings at The Buzz will be available when public ticketing begins on Saturday, July 19 at the main box office at 201 E. Front Street, or by calling 231-242-FILM, at 11 am, and online at 6 pm. And even if you’re unable to reserve a seat in advance, standby lines will form before each show.

Giving everyone a chance to see a great movie, the Buzz will showcase some of the best documentaries we’ve seen all year.  With films representing many different areas of interest, there is something for everybody at The Buzz. We start the week with Good Driver Smetana, which tells the story of a bus driver who challenges injustice within Czech politics. Later, Fishtail provides viewers with a glimpse into the life of modern-day cowboys on a Montana ranch, complete with spectacular panoramas and a beautiful score. On Friday, catch The Hand That Feeds, an empowering film that follows a group of immigrant bakery workers who risk deportation to achieve fair treatment. Also consider checking out  10%: What Makes a Hero?, which details the compelling search for the elusive “hero gene.”

The venue will also host a retrospective look at the past nine years of “just great movies.” In recognition of the festival’s legacy and tenth anniversary celebration, The Buzz will screen one iconic, memorable film from each festival. Films range from The Edukators, which won the Founders Grand Prize at the first festival in 2005, to a 2013 Oscar-nominated favorite from Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown. Free of charge, these films are great way to catch up on what you have may have missed or a wonderful opportunity to experience these unforgettable moments anew.

Located in Traverse City’s Warehouse District, InsideOut is one of the Midwest’s largest art galleries. InsideOut has presented live, original music for over nine years, making it a well-known location for many area residents. The entertainment venue covers over 3,000 square feet and after we transform it into a state-of-the-art movie theater it will seat an audience of 150. The Buzz also has the unique distinction of being the only indoor venue where alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Movies at The Buzz:

10%: What Makes A Hero?
12-12-12
Fishtail
Good Driver Smetana
The Hand That Feeds
La Maison de la Radio
Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?
Keep on Keepin’ On
The Lab
Web Junkie

The Buzz Retrospective Films:

2005 — The Edukators (Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei)
2006 — Men At Work (Kargaran Mashghoole Karand)
2007 — Please Vote for Me and West Bank Story
2008 — Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind
2009 — Troubled Water (Deusynlige)
2010 — Castaway on the Moon (Kimssi Pyoryugi)
2011 — Face to Face
2012 — 5 Broken Cameras
2013 — The Broken Circle Breakdown

Friends,

Today we announce the names of the 200+ films that will make up this summer’s special and awesome 10th Anniversary TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL. A schedule of 230 screenings so grand, so filled with surprises, and so jammed-packed with just great movies, it took us a decade to pull it all off.

What surprises, you ask? For starters, we have not one, but TWO new venues.

And one of them isn’t on land!

Yes, our newest theater will be right in the middle of Grand Traverse Bay. That’s right — Movies on a Boat! We’ll take your ticket at the dock, you’ll board the boat, and you and the rest of the audience will head out onto the water to watch a great movie under the stars.

Then there’s The Buzz — our other new venue, named after our beloved festival friend, the late Buzz Wilson, and dedicated to bringing you the most inspiring, interesting, and intelligent movies completely FREE of charge all day, every festival day. This is also where we’ll be hosting our special look back at some of the most memorable films from the past nine years. And did I mention — it’s all for FREE!

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In anticipation of the Traverse City Film Festival’s big 10th Anniversary schedule release this coming Friday, June 27 (mark your calendars now!), we’re kicking off the celebration early by announcing this year’s awe-inspiring, breathtaking, magical, adventurous, and iconic Open Space FREE movie line-up.

Our “Best of” Open Space slate is packed with your favorite films that played at the Open Space over the last nine years — all of them among the
most beloved and popular movies of all time.

And it wouldn’t be the film festival’s tenth anniversary without some nice surprises — here’s the first one. For the People’s Choice Vote, we asked you what film you wanted to see on Friday night and there was a very resounding winner — STAR WARS! We didn’t think we could get permission to show it and so were moving on to the second choice, but then, in honor of our tenth anniversary, and moved by the people’s plea, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox granted us the rare permission to screen “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” in the Open Space.

Here’s the full schedule at the Open Space  — and remember, EVERY MOVIE IS FREE!

Tuesday, July 29 – The original summer blockbuster, and the first film to ever screen at the Traverse City Film Festival’s Open Space, way back in 2005: Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”

Wednesday, July 30 – Rained out in 2006, the dinosaurs were mighty peeved, so they’re coming back with a vengeance this year… “Jurassic Park” will make a colossally epic return to the Traverse City Film Festival!

Thursday, July 31 – A national treasure, and still the greatest romance to ever come out of Hollywood — “Casablanca”

Friday, August 1 – Your People’s Choice Winner, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”

Saturday, August 2 – The most gloriously giddy and genuinely fun adventure ever committed to celluloid, “The Goonies”

Sunday, August 3 – The Closing Night Bash will take us over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road to see “The Wizard of Oz”

The festival’s gift to the community, there is simply no better place in the world to experience these family-friendly classics than at our bayfront outdoor movie theater under the stars. Plan to arrive early for free music, entertainment, and fun starting at 7 pm nightly. And Sunday night before the film starts, don’t miss the Closing Night Bash, our annual community party with games, prizes, and treats.

New this year, we’re adding a large-scale photo booth complete with props, costumes, and custom backdrops themed to each night’s film! Our friends from Allen-Kent Photography will be on hand to snap pics of you and your friends, which will then be made available online.

“The Open Space reminds us just how wonderful the movies can be. This is the year to grab your family and friends and some blankets for an unforgettable evening under the stars,” said Michael Moore.

The Traverse City Film Festival is seeking friendly, fun-loving people to join our team as Volunteer Assistant Theater Managers for the 2014 festival! Please drop in at our next Volunteer Manager Open House on Thursday, June 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in festival office, 232 E. Front St, Traverse City, MI. We would love to meet you! If you can’t make it, please call 231-392-1134 or email volunteer@traversecityfilmfest.org.

Why Be a Manager?

TCFF volunteer managers are the core of our amazingly talented, incredibly devoted, and super fun festival family. The festival couldn’t run without the many managers who spend part of their summer in the most beautiful place on earth working with the best team on earth. Friendships formed under fire last forever!

Being a TCFF manager is so much more than getting an awesomely stylish polo shirt. Create something meaningful for the community, meet new people, spend time with friends and family, and gain invaluable experience. Help us put on the best festival in the world and have tons of fun along the way! For more information, please visit TCFF Volunteer Managers.

Open Positions:

We have roles and venues available to meet almost any interest and commitment level.

Assistant Venue Managers

Be at the center of the behind-the-scenes action by assisting the venue manager with any and all tasks necessary for the successful operation of the theater. Monitor loads and procedures, direct other assistant managers, provide instruction to volunteers, and much more! Responsible, quick thinking, problem solvers who thrive in high-energy situations wanted.

Venue & Shift Availability: Old Town Playhouse (Days): Old Town Playhouse (Nights).

Warehouse Assistant Manager

At the Warehouse you will be at the hub of all festival activity working with our incredible crew members and the venues to make sure everything gets where it needs to go on time. The best kept the secret of the festival — this is where some of the most interesting activity takes place and it could not be more pivotal to the success of the festival. Plus, you get to jack pallets!

Venue & Shift Availability: Warehouse (5 pm to 10 pm).

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