Thursday Night After-Party hosted by The Coin Slot
Open to the Public. Must be 21+
Mingle alongside Filmmakers, Volunteers, and our Supporters and let the games begin!
Yooper Drink Specials and $10 Free-Play for First 35 FCFF/tc Filmmakers
Delish offerings from Full Send Ramen Open till 11:00 pm
“Stories of Hope” / Opening Night Shorts Program
Hope isn’t always a grand anthem - often, it’s a quiet melody found in simple stories. Like a sprout breaking through concrete, small narratives remind us that even in stillness, we are always still finding our way.
Presented by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Leelanau Conservancy and Little Traverse Conservancy
with support from Interlochen Public Radio
Traverse City Special Guests: Filmmakers JohnPaul Morris, Aaron Peterson, Dusan Harminc, Jason Whalen, Chris Zuker, and Douglas Larson, Michigan State University Black River Sturgeon Facility
Simultaneous FREE Screenings in Arthouse Theaters Across Northern Michigan on Thursday April 30 at 7:00 pm
Click here for The Bay Community Theater of Suttons Bay
Click here for The Garden Theater of Frankfort
Click here for Elk Rapids Cinema
Click here for The Lyric Theatre of Harbor Springs
Click here for Charlevoix Cinema III
Click here for The Vogue Theatre of Manistee
“Fintastic Close-Ups with the Dinosaur Fish” / Outdoor Tours and Experiences
Presented with support from Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Join Doug Larson from Michigan State University, manager of the Black River Lake Sturgeon Restoration Program, featured in Dinosaur Fish, a compelling documentary highlighting efforts to restore lake sturgeon populations. Doug will be hosting and sharing insights into ongoing restoration work in Michigan.
Attendees have the unique opportunity to see a live juvenile lake sturgeon up close. Learn how conservation efforts are helping bring this ancient species back, and find out how you can get involved, including the chance to “adopt” an adult lake sturgeon through the Black River program, which directly supports critical research initiatives.
“Advocacy and Storytelling” / Artist Panel
Presented with support from Hannah Herrington-Mary Fitch Family Foundation
When it comes to advocacy, storytelling is often the difference between a dry statistic and a deeply moved audience. Join special guests working on the frontlines of creating content that has the impact to change the world and join the conversation yourself in a casual, Q&A format.
Special Guests Maurice Champion (Belonging: A Journey of Inclusion and Nature), with Christy Frank and Alex Goetz (A Bird in the Hand) -- Moderated by Christal Frost Anderson, journalist and host Currently Podcast