The Traverse City Film Festival was an annual event held in late July in Traverse City, Michigan. It was started in 2005 to help protect one of America’s few original art forms—cinema. The festival was co-founded by Michael Moore, an Oscar-winning film director known for films and documentaries such as Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, and Roger & Me, along with author Doug Stanton and photographer John Robert Williams.
The festival’s goal was to show “Just Great Movies” that represent high-quality filmmaking, especially independent films and documentaries by both well-known and new filmmakers that are not widely shown in theaters.
The Traverse City Film Festival is a non-profit organization. It is supported by businesses, community groups, individuals, and ticket sales from events. The festival is managed by a board of directors made up of filmmakers, writers, and creative professionals. The festival also features music performed by volunteers, with over 60 regional artists participating in the 2016 event.
Official selections
The 1st annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 27 to July 31, 2005. The 5-day event included many independent films and four classic films. Independent films were shown in three indoor places in downtown Traverse City: the State Theatre, the Old Town Playhouse, and the City Opera House. Each night, a classic film was shown on a large inflatable screen along West Grand Traverse Bay in the city's Open Space Park. Broken Flowers, which won an award at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, was shown at the Traverse City Film Festival before being released to the public. Other 2005 selections covered a wide variety of topics, such as period romances, unemployment, and terrorism.
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 2nd annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 31 to August 6, 2006. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Jeff Daniels.
Stanley Kubrick Tribute:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 3rd annual festival was held from July 31 to August 5, 2007. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Christine Lahti.
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 4th annual festival took place from July 29 to August 3, 2008. Madonna made a special appearance on August 2, 2008, to introduce her film I Am Because We Are. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Kurt Luedtke. This year also marked the world premiere of Religulous.
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 5th annual festival was held from July 28 to August 2, 2009. There were 123 film screenings from over 30 countries. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Rich Brauer.
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 6th annual festival was held from July 27 to August 1, 2010. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to John Hughes.
Opening and Closing Night:
Comedy & Drama from Home and Abroad:
The Beatles at the Movies (A 40th Anniversary):
A Salute to Cuban Film:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 7th annual festival was held from July 26 to July 31, 2011. Films were shown from every continent except Antarctica. This was the first year of Kids Fest on the lawn outside the newly renovated Lars Hockstad auditorium. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Sue Marx.
Opening and Closing Night:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird:
Union! Our Salute to Public Employees:
100th Birthday Celebration of Roy Rogers:
Tribute to Jafar Panahi:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 8th annual festival was held from July 31 to August 5, 2012. The Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Winsor McCay.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
Hollywood Sneak Previews:
Friends Only Screenings:
Susan Sarandon Tribute:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
Experimental Film at Dutmers:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 9th annual festival was held from July 30 to August 4, 2013. Paul Feig received the Michigan Filmmaker Award, and Michael Apted received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Liana Liberato received the Discovery Award, and Mark Cousins, Rob Epstein, and Jeffrey Friedman received the Visionary Award. The Festival added a new venue by renovating the former Con Foster Museum into a theater named Bijou by the Bay, which opened in time for the 2013 festival.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
Michael Apted Tribute:
Tribute to Paul Feig:
Experimental Film at Dutmers:
Friends Only Screenings:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 10th annual festival was held from July 29 to August 3, 2014. Barbara Kopple received the Mid-Life Achievement Award. The Buzz and Movies on a Boat were added as venues.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
Free Movies at The Buzz:
Experimental Film at Dutmers:
Friends Only Screenings:
The 11th annual festival was held from July 28 to August 2, 2015. Robert Altman received the Visionary Award, the Michigan Filmmaker Award was given to Roger Corman, and Geraldine Chaplin received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Woz interactive gallery was a new addition this year.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
Native American Matinee:
Friends Only Screenings:
Robert Altman Tribute:
Orson Welles Centennial:
Free Movies at the Open Space:
The 12th annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 26 to July 31, 2016. This year’s festival celebrated the State Theatre’s 100th anniversary and honored female filmmakers by featuring films directed by women in the Official US Documentary and Fiction sections.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
US Official Selection: Documentary:
US Official Selection: Narrative:
Foreign Official Selection: Documentary:
Foreign Official Selection: Narrative:
Free Movies at The Open Space:
Friends Only Screenings:
July 28, 2016—A Day in History:
Men Make Movies—The Struggle Continues:
Michiganders Make Movies:
The Sidebar: Food on Film:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
The 13th annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 25 to July 30, 2017. This year’s festival celebrated works from filmmakers worldwide, especially those from countries targeted by the US travel ban. Nineteen directors could not attend the festival but joined via video call to discuss their work. Mariska Hargitay, Noel Wells, Leonard Maltin, and Gilbert Gottfried were added to the TCFF Walk of Fame this year.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
US Official Selection: Documentary:
US Official Selection: Narrative:
Foreign Official Selection: Documentary:
Foreign Official Selection: Narrative: