The second Michigan Film Festival was held in Grand Rapids on November 12-14, 2010. The festival featured many informative panels, screenings of Michigan made films, and workshops to highlight and build a strong film industry in the state. The DeWitt Creativity Group was invited by the awesome Jen Pider (an MFF organizer) to participate on a panel discussing the trials and tribulations of running a film festival. The other individuals who made up the panel included: Anthony E. Griffin (Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival!), Robert Butler (Detroit Independent Film Festival), Jeremy Stemen (Blue Water Film Festival) and Kelly Kennedy (Blue Water Film Festival). A great discussion ensued that proved very enlightening in terms of the dos and don'ts of organizing and running an effective film festival.
The DeWitt Creativity Group learned a great deal from the insights of these fine individuals - who also graciously offered their advice and support - for how to organize and execute the first annual Capital Area Film Festival (the first regional film festival that screens exclusively high school student shorts/videos/documentaries etc.). Many thanks to all of the participating panel members and MFF organizers. For more information on the Michigan Film Festival, please refer to: www.michiganfilmfest.org.