Traverse City Film Festival


The Traverse City Film Festival was an annual film festival held at the end of July in Traverse City, Michigan. The festival was created as an annual event in 2005 to help “save one of America's few indigenous art forms—the cinema". The event was co-founded by Michael Moore, the Oscar-winning film director, well known for his anti-establishment 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 mission of the Festival was to show "Just Great Movies" that represent excellence in filmmaking, particularly those rare independent films and documentaries by both noted and new filmmakers, that do not receive mainstream distribution.
The Traverse City Film Festival is a non-profit organization, and is funded by businesses, community groups and individuals, in addition to ticket sales accumulated by various events. The Festival is headed by a board of directors of filmmakers, writers, and creative professionals. Traverse City Film Festival also showcases all volunteer music, with over 60 regional artists featured in the 2016 event.
WWW traversecityfilmfestival....𝕏 TCFF

Official selections

2005

The 1st annual Traverse City Film Festival was held July 27–31, 2005. The 5-day event featured many independent films, plus four classic films. The independent films were shown in three indoor venues in downtown Traverse City: the State Theatre, the Old Town Playhouse, and the City Opera House. In addition, each night, a classic film was shown on a giant inflatable screen along West Grand Traverse Bay in the city's Open Space Park. Broken Flowers, a winner at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, was shown at the Traverse City Film Festival before being released to the general public. Other 2005 Traverse City Film Festival selections covered a gamut of film subjects ranging from period romances, unemployment, terrorism, among many other subjects.
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2006

The second annual Traverse City Film Festival was held July 31 – August 6, 2006. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Jeff Daniels.
Stanley Kubrick Tribute:
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2007

The third annual festival was held July 31 – August 5, 2007. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Christine Lahti.
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2008

The fourth annual festival took place July 29 – August 3, 2008. There was a special appearance by Madonna, on August 2, 2008, in order to introduce her film I Am Because We Are. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Kurt Luedtke. Also this year was the world premiere for Religulous.
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2009

The fifth annual festival was held from July 28 – August 2, 2009. There were 123 screenings of films from over 30 countries. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Rich Brauer.
Free Movies at the Open Space:'

2010

The sixth annual festival was held from July 27 – August 1, 2010. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to John Hughes.
Opening and Closing Night:
TCFF 3D:
Comedy & Drama from Home and Abroad:
The Beatles at the Movies :
A Salute to Cuban Film:
Shorts Programs:
Dangerous Docs:
Midnight:
Special Screenings:
  • This Divided State - Mike's Surprise
  • Dodsworth: Jeff Garlin's Gems
  • Reel Injun Spirit Award, Nonfiction Jury Award/Special Founders Prize
  • The Last Command
Kids Fest:
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2011

The seventh annual festival was held from July 26–31, 2011. There were films at the festival this year from every continent except Antarctica. This was also the first year of Kids Fest on the lawn outside of the newly renovated Lars Hockstad auditorium. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Sue Marx.
Opening and Closing Night:
US Indies:
New Foreign Cinema:
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:
  • L'Inferno
  • Wild & Weird: Alloy Orchestra's Favorite Short Silent Films
50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird:
Union! Our Salute to Public Employees:
100th Birthday Celebration of Roy Rogers:
Tribute to Jafar Panahi:
Lost Gems:
Special Screenings:
Kids Fest:
Dangerous Docs:
Experimental Film:
Midnight:
Kids Fest:
Shorts Programs:
  • Short Animation
  • Short Documentaries
  • Shorts by Students
  • Shorts by U of M Students
  • Shorts for Adults I
  • Shorts for Adults II
  • Shorts for Kids
  • Shorts for Midnight
Free Movies at the Open Space:

2012

The eighth annual festival was held from July 31 - August 5, 2012. Michigan Filmmaker Award went to Winsor McCay.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:
Hollywood Sneak Previews:The CampaignHit & Run
Friends Only Screenings:BURNThe Intouchables
Susan Sarandon Tribute:Robot and FrankThe Rocky Horror Picture ShowThelma & Louise
Wim Wenders Tribute:Buena Vista Social ClubWings of DesireShorts - Wim Wenders
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:BlackmailRichard IIIA Trip to the Moon with The Extraordinary VoyageThe Story of Film: An Odyssey — Stanley Kubrick Award for Bold and Innovative Filmmaking
Occupy the Cinema!:Ashes of AmericaPoor AmericaThe Reluctant RevolutionaryShorts - Occupy Wall StreetTahrir: Liberation SquareWe Are Legion: The Story of the HacktivistsWe Are Wisconsin
Women:Films from the Early Women's Health MovementGrowing Up Female
US Indies:BernieA Better LifeComplianceFirst WinterThe Giant Mechanical ManLiberal ArtsMargaret Special Founders PrizeLove, Sex and Missed Connections — Special Jury Prize – First Time DirectorOn the IceRed FlagSomebody Up There Likes MeSupporting CharactersTake Shelter
New Foreign Cinema:CoriolanusDetective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom FlameFreedomGracelandHeadhuntersHysteriaThe Kid with a BikeLondon RiverMonsieur LazharNova ZemblaOslo, August 31stSleepless NightTurn Me On, Dammit!Whole Lotta Sole
Dangerous Docs:5 Broken Cameras — Founders Prize for Best PictureAi Weiwei: Never SorryBidder 70 — Founders Prize for Best American FilmBig Boys Gone Bananas!* — 2nd Runner Up Audience Award WinnerCode of the WestDetropia — Special Jury Prize – American FilmDinotasiaDon't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey — Audience Award WinnerEthel — 1st Runner Up Audience Award WinnerThe Flat — Special Jury Prize – Foreign FilmHow to Survive a PlagueJiro Dreams of SushiJourney to Planet XLouder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom StoryPaybackThe Queen of VersaillesThe RevisionariesScenes of a CrimeSexy Baby — Founders Prize for Best Film by a First Time Director Side by SideStuckWest of MemphisThe World Before Her — Founders Prize for Best Foreign Film
Midnight:JackpotLet the Bullets FlyThe Raid: RedemptionShorts - MidnightV/H/S
Experimental Film at Dutmers:BestiaireIndignadosInto Great SilenceAn Oversimplification of Her Beauty
Special Screenings:The Dictator — Special ScreeningAn Afternoon Stroll with Michael Moore — Mike's SurpriseUp Heartbreak HillThe War of the Worlds
Kids Fest:Circus DreamsThe CrocodilesLegends of Valhalla: Thor
Shorts Programs:Shorts - AAFF Michael Moore Award WinnersShorts - Documentaries 1Shorts - Documentaries 2Shorts - Fiction 1Shorts - Fiction 2Shorts - KidsShorts - MidnightShorts - Occupy Wall StreetShorts - Spike & Mike's New Generation Festival of AnimationShorts - Spike & Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of AnimationShorts - U of M Student FilmsShorts - Wim WendersShorts - Winsor McCay, Michigan Filmmaker Award Winner
Free Movies at the Open Space:Footloose — People's Choice WinnerRebel Without a CauseStar Trek II: The Wrath of KhanWALL-E

2013

The ninth annual festival was held from July 30 - August 4, 2013. Paul Feig was honored with the Michigan Filmmaker Award and Michael Apted with 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 this year by renovating the former Con Foster Museum into a theater that was named Bijou by the Bay which opened in time for the 2013 Traverse City Film Festival.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:AustenlandBlue JasmineElaine Stritch: Shoot Me
Documentary:The Act of Killing — Stanley Kubrick Award For Bold and Innovative FilmmakingA Band Called DeathBig Easy ExpressBlackfishThe Central Park FiveCitizen Koch — Founders Prize Special AwardDirty WarsDocumentary Secret ScreeningThe Expedition to the End of the WorldFar from AfghanistanThe First MovieGideon's ArmyGod Loves UgandaGood GarbageGore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia — Audience Award Runner Up Best Documentary Film/Founders Prize Special AwardThe Human ScaleInequality for All — Audience Award Winner Best Documentary FilmMark Cousins Secret ScreeningMistaken for Strangers — Founders Prize Special AwardMore Than HoneyOur Nixon — Founders Prize for Best DocumentaryPandora's PromiseThe Pervert's Guide to IdeologyPropaganda — Founders Grand Prize for Best FilmRed ObsessionRemote Area Medical — Founders Prize for Best DocumentaryRoom 237TeenageTerms and Conditions May ApplyThis Is What Winning Looks LikeThe Trials of Muhammad AliTWA Flight 800War on Whistleblowers: Free Press and the National Security State
American:The East — Founders Prize for Best DramaThe English TeacherErasedFruitvale Station — Audience Award Winner Best American FilmThe Girl on the TrainKilling Them SoftlyLovelaceMuch Ado About NothingOrenthal: The MusicalThe Pretty OneSunlight Jr.Trust — Audience Award Runner Up Best American FilmTrust MeWe're the Millers
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:The Last Days of Pompeii The Phantom of the Opera — with the Alloy Orchestra
Before the Code:Gold Diggers of 1933She Done Him Wrong
Michael Apted Tribute:56 UpUp Series
Tribute to Paul Feig:The Heat
Foreign:Before SnowfallThe Broken Circle BreakdownBypass — Founders Prize for Best ComedyDancing QueenDragonFanie Fourie's LobolaA HijackingInto the White — Audience Award Runner Up Best Foreign FilmKon-Tiki — Founders Prize Special AwardThe Last DaysNoA Royal AffairSeven PsychopathsStarbuck — Audience Award Winner Best Foreign FilmSuperstarSüskindWadjda — Roger Ebert Prize for Best Film by a First Time FilmmakerWill You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Midnight:Cockneys vs Zombies — John Waters Prize for Best Midnight FilmThe History of Future FolkJourney to the West: Conquering the DemonsThe ShiningUnHung Hero
Experimental Film at Dutmers:Suitcase of Love and ShameYour Day Is My Night — Buzz Wilson Prize for Best Experimental/Avant Garde Film
Special Screenings:Bowling for Columbine — Mike's SurpriseDoug Loves Movies PodcastMaïna
Kids Fest:Moon ManThe Painting — Audience Award Winner Best Kids FilmShorts for Kids'
Friends Only Screenings:Sole SurvivorThe World is Ours — Founders Prize for Best Comedy
TCFF Shorts:The Battle of amfARShort Documentaries 1Short Documentaries 2Short NarrativesShorts by StudentsShorts by U of M StudentsShorts for KidsShorts for MidnightWaiting for Mamu — Audience Award Winner Best Documentary Short
Free Movies at the Open Space:'Across the UniverseApollo 13 — People's Choice WinnerIndependence DayPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlThe Princess BrideSome Like It Hot''

2014

The tenth annual festival was held from July 29 - August 3, 2014. Barbara Kopple was honored this year with the Mid-Life Achievement Award. The Buzz and Movies on a Boat were added as venues.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:La gran familia españolaCalvaryMagic in the Moonlight
Documentary:112 Weddings1971Al Helm: Martin Luther King in PalestineBending the LightBronx ObamaThe Case Against 8 — Audience Award Runner Up Best Documentary FilmCasting ByDangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of BelarusDinosaur 13Don't Leave Me — Founders Prize Special AwardFed UpFinding Vivian Maier — Founders Prize Best DocumentaryA Goat for a VoteHappy ValleyThe Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz — Founders Prize Special AwardIvory TowerLetters to Jackie: Remembering President KennedyLife Itself — Founders Prize Special AwardLove and Terror on the Howling Plains of NowhereMeet the Patels — Audience Award Winner Best Documentary Film & Founders Grand Prize Best FilmMission BlueMittThe Newburgh Sting — Founders Prize Special AwardThe OvernightersPoint and ShootPrint the LegendReturn to HomsRich Hill — Founders Grand Prize Best FilmRunning from CrazySilenced — Founders Prize Special AwardSlow Food StorySupermensch: The Legend of Shep GordonTo Be TakeiTwo Raging GranniesThe Unknown KnownVirungaWalking Under Water
American:5 to 7 — Audience Award Winner Best American FilmBlue RuinBoyhoodCoherenceCold in JulyFading GigoloHellionLand Ho!Life of CrimeLove is StrangeThe One I LovePalo AltoRubber Soul — Founders Prize Special AwardSister — Audience Award Runner Up Best American FilmSummer of BloodWild Canaries
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:Lonesome — with the Alloy OrchestraOn ApprovalTillie's Punctured Romance
Special Screenings:Bag of RiceAn Evening with Larry CharlesMike's SurpriseDoug Loves Movies PodcastLaDonna Harris: Indian 101Yesterday and Tomorrow in Detroit
Kids Fest:Pim & Pom: The Big AdventureThunder and the House of Magic — Audience Award Winner Best Kids Film
Free Movies at the Open Space:CasablancaThe GooniesJawsJurassic ParkStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope — People's Choice WinnerThe Wizard of Oz
Foreign:The Bachelor WeekendBlack Coal, Thin IceBlind DatesBlue Is the Warmest ColourChild's PoseChinese PuzzleA Coffee in BerlinExcuse My FrenchFishing Without Nets — Roger Ebert Prize for Best Film by a First Time FilmmakerA Five Star LifeThe German DoctorThe Gilded CageThe Hunt — Audience Award Runner Up Best Foreign FilmI Won't Come BackThe Keeper of Lost CausesThe LunchboxManos SuciasManuscripts Don't BurnOmar — Founders Prize Best DramaOne Chance — Audience Award Winner Best Foreign FilmThe PastPlaying DeadSnowpiercerStations of the Cross — Stanley Kubrick Award For Bold and Innovative FilmmakingStill LifeThe Volcano — Founders Prize Best Comedy
Free Movies at the Buzz:10%: What Makes a Hero?12-12-125 Broken CamerasThe Broken Circle BreakdownCastaway on the MoonThe EdukatorsFace to FaceFishtailGood Driver SmetanaThe Hand That FeedsIs the Man Who is Tall Happy?Keep On Keepin’ OnLa Maison de la RadioThe LabMen at WorkPlease Vote for MeProfit motive and the whispering windStoried StreetsTroubled WaterWeb JunkieWest Bank Story
Midnight:The BabadookThe CanalCreep
Experimental Film at Dutmers:Focus on InfinityThe Forgotten SpaceKarpotrotterPurgatorio: A Journey Into the Heart of the Border
Friends Only Screenings:Divide in ConcordHuman Capital
TCFF Shorts:Short DocumentariesShort Experimental FilmsShort Narratives 1Short Narratives 2Shorts by MSU StudentsShorts by U of M StudentsShorts for Kids 1Shorts for Kids 2Shorts for MidnightShorts from the Ann Arbor Film Festival''

2015

The eleventh annual festival was held from July 28 - August 2, 2015. Robert Altman received the Visionary Award, Michigan Filmmaker Award went 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:The End of the TourGrandma
Documentary:20 Years of MadnessAmyThe Armor of Light - Founders Prize Special AwardBest of EnemiesThe Brainwashing of My DadA Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story - Audience Award Winner Best DocumentaryBreaking a MonsterThe Chinese MayorA CourtshipA Dangerous GameDeep WebThe DiplomatDo I Sound Gay?National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant DeadFear Not the Path of Truth - Changemaker AwardFinders Keepers - Founders Prize for Best ComedyFrom This Day ForwardGlen Campbell: I'll Be MeHip Hop-erationHolbrook/Twain: An American OdysseyHot Type: 150 Years of the NationThe Hunting Ground - Audience Award Runner-Up Best DocumentaryIndian PointLife May BeListen to Me Marlon - Founders Prize for Best FilmMonty Python: The Meaning of LifeNight Will FallPeace OfficerPoverty, Inc.Prescription ThugsRaiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever MadeRed ArmyRoseanne for President! - Founders Prize Special AwardThe Salt of the EarthThe State-Mafia PactThe Student Body(T)ERRORT-Rex - Roger Ebert Prize for Best Film by a First Time FilmmakerThe Trials of Spring - Founders Prize Special AwardVery Semi-SeriousThe Wanted 18 - Founders Prize for Best DocumentaryWe Come as FriendsThe Wolfpack - Founders Prize Special Award
American:7 Chinese Brothers - Founders Prize Special AwardDigging for FireGood KillKill the Messenger - Audience Award Winner Best American FilmThe Last Five Years - Founders Prize Special AwardLearning to Drive - Audience Award Runner-Up Best American FilmThe OvernightTangerine - Stanley Kubrick Award for Bold and Innovative FilmmakingWhen I Live My Life Over Again
State Theatre Centennial Celebration:Les VampiresThe Son of the Sheik
Native American Matinee:Songs My Brothers Taught Me
Special Screenings:The Benson Movie Interruption: Top GunDoctor ZhivagoDocumentary Now!Doug Loves Movies PodcastDusty Stacks of MomJeff Garlin's Gem: The Old Dark HouseMike's SurpriseMSU Presents: ChoicesNo More Road Trips?Shaun the SheepYesterday and Tomorrow in Detroit 5
Kid's Fest:Fiddlesticks - Stuart J. Hollander Prize for Best Kids FilmMinuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants —French César Winner for Best Animated Film
Foreign:The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared - Audience Award Runner-Up Best Foreign FilmBananaCartChallat of Tunis - Discovery AwardClouds of Sils MariaThe ConnectionThe Crow's EggDark PlacesDiplomacyForce MajeureGett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem - Founders Prize Special AwardGüerosHaemooLabyrinth of LiesLove at First FightMan UpMommyOperation ArcticOut of NatureA Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on ExistenceTangerines - Audience Award Winner Best Foreign FilmTimbuktuTwo Days, One Night - Founders Prize for Best DramaVirgin MountainWhen Marnie Was ThereWild Tales - Founders Prize Special Award
Midnight:The Benson Movie Interruption: SpeedLife of Brian
Friends Only Screenings:99 HomesBeing Canadian
Robert Altman Tribute:AltmanM*A*S*HNashville
Roger Corman:Corman's SurpriseCorman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood RebelThe IntruderThe Masque of the Red Death
Orson Welles Centennial:F for FakeTouch of Evil
Avant Garde:Journey to the West - Buzz Wilson Prize for Best Avant-Garde FilmMountain SpiritsThe OwnersSpeculation Nation
The Sidebar:City of GoldGood Things AwaitKing GeorgesSergio Herman, Fucking Perfect
Free Movies at the Open Space:The BirdcageThe Breakfast Club — People's Choice WinnerGravityThe Great DictatorGuardians of the GalaxyThe Lego Movie
TCFF Shorts:The Best MedicineCharacter StudyDiscipline - Founder's Prize Best Narrative ShortDusty Stacks of Mom - Founder's Prize Special Mention ShortFilms by Kenneth AngerFinding YourselfMy Enemy, My Brother - Founder's Prize Best Documentary ShortOff the GridPeace NowShorts by MSU StudentsShorts by U of M StudentsShorts for Kids 1Shorts for Kids 2Shorts from the Ann Arbor Film FestivalTruth and Consequence
  • ''WTF''

2016

The twelfth annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 26–31, 2016. This year's festival celebrated the historic State Theatre's centennial year and honored female filmmakers by featuring films directed by women for every selection in the Official US Documentary and Fiction sections.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:Infinitely Polar BearTony Robbins: I Am Not Your GuruConcerto: A Beethoven Journey
US Official Selection: Documentary:All this PanicAudrie & DaisyThe Black Panthers: Vanguard of the RevolutionBy Sidney LumetThe C Word - Roger Ebert Prize for Best US Documentary Film by a First Time FilmmakerCameraperson - Founders Prize Best US DocumentaryThe ChampionsCommand and ControlDeath by DesignDemocratsDo Not ResistEqual Means Equal - Audience Award Winner for Best US Documentary Florence, ArizonaGeneration StartupGleasonHooligan SparrowJeremiah Tower: The Last MagnificentThe Last LaughLife, AnimatedMen of SpartaMSU Presents: Sorta LateNorman Lear: Just Another Version of You - Founders Prize Special Award ObitOlympic Pride, American PrejudiceThe Pistol ShrimpsRosenwaldSolitaryTerritorioTrapped - Founders Prize Special Award Two Trains Runnin - Men Make Movies Award Unlocking the Cage - Founders Prize Best US DocumentaryWalk With Me: The Trials of Damon J. KeithWeiner
US Official Selection: NarrativeThe 33Certain WomenThe Diary of a Teenage Girl Echo Park EmbersEquityFive Nights in MaineMaggie's Plan - Founders Prize Best US FictionMy Blind Brother - Audience Award Winner for Best US Fiction Operator - Roger Ebert Prize for Best US Fiction Film by a First Time Filmmaker Women Who Kill
Foreign Official Selection: Documentary:Censored VoicesConfusionCooking up a TributeDark Horse Disturbing the Peace - Founders Prize Best Foreign Documentary, Audience Award Winner for Best Foreign Documentary Eat that Question: Frank Zappa in His Own WordsElephant's DreamThe EventFrancofoniaHeart of a DogHouston, We Have a Problem!I Am Belfast - Stanley Kubrick Award for Bold and Innovative FilmmakingIce and the SkyKings of Kallstadt - Roger Ebert Prize for Best US Fiction Film by a First Time FilmmakerLo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected WorldMagnusNoma: My Perfect StormPresenting Princess ShawReset
Foreign Official Selection: Narrative3000 NightsAdult Life Skill The Brand New TestamentThe Club A Conspiracy Of Faith DheepanEl Clasico - Founders Prize Best Foreign FictionThe Last Reel - Founders Grand Prize Best FilmA Man Called Ove - Audience Award Winner for Best Foreign FictionMargueriteMustangMy Golden DaysMy Internship in CanadaOne Wild MomentParents Sand Storm - Roger Ebert Prize for Best Foreign Fiction Film by a First Time FilmmakerSing StreetSon of Saul Taxi - Founders Prize Special Award Viva Welcome to Norway Women in Oversized Men's Shirts
Avant Garde:Elephant's Dream - Buzz Wilson Prize for Best Avant Garde FilmThe EventHeart of a DogSixty SixTerritorio
Free Movies at The Open Space:Adam's RibFrozenJurassic WorldPitch PerfectShrek - People's Choice WinnerWayne's World
Friends Only Screenings:Midsummer in Newton Sweet Smell of Spring
July 28, 2016- A Day in History:The Doug Benson Movie Interruption: Kisses for my President Live - Hillary Clinton Acceptance Speech
Kid's Fest:Phantom BoyOddball - Stuart J. Hollander Prize for Best Kids Film
Lost Gems of 2015DopeSuffragette
Men Make Movies- The Struggle ContinuesCommand and ControlFolk Hero & Funny Guy - Men Make Movies AwardThe Phenom - Men Make Movies AwardThe Pistol Shrimps - Men Make Movies AwardTony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru
Michiganders Make Movies:Do Not Resist Generation Startup Men of Sparta
Midnight:Here AloneThe Doug Benson Movie Interruption: A Donald Trump Favorite- BloodsportThe Doug Benson Movie Interruption: Kisses For My President
Premieres:Gleason Hell or High Water Little Boxes Men of Sparta Sister Cities Walk with Me: The Trials of Damon J. Keith
The Sidebar: Food on Film:Cooking Up A Tribute Jeremiah Tower: The Last MagnificentNoma: My Perfect Storm
State Theatre Centennial CelebrationBlow UpChimes at MidnightCitizen Kane Civilization Man with a Movie Camera (With the Alloy Orchestra)Meet John Doe Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Special Screenings:Doug Loves Movies PodcastNative American Manitee: Te AtaWhere to Invade Next
#tween:Dark HorseHunt for the Wilderpeople Ice and the Sky
TCFF Shorts: Shorts by MSU StudentsShorts by U-M Students Shorts: Animated at the Ann Arbor Film Festival Shorts for All Kids Shorts for Kids 4+Shorts: Art Best of FestsBreaking CurfewFish out of Water Friends IndeedIt's Complicated Love & Marriage & Baby Carriage
  • ''Strange Planet''

2017

The thirteenth annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 25–30, 2017. This year’s festival celebrated works from filmmakers all around the world, especially those from countries targeted by the US travel ban. 19 directors could not attend the festival due to the ban, but Skyped into festival screenings to discuss their work. Mariska Hargitay, Noel Wells, Leonard Maltin, and Gilbert Gottfried were added to TCFF Walk of Fame this year.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:I, Daniel BlakeStepDetroit
US Official Selection: Documentary:12th and ClairmountAbacus: Small Enough to JailAcorn and the firestormAlphagoBending the ArcBill Nye: Science Guy The Blood is at the DoorstepChasing CoralCity of GhostsThe Death and Life of Marsha P. JohnsonEliánFlames Frank SerpicoGilbertI am EvidenceI Am Not Your NegroIcarusLong Strange TripQuestRancher, Farmer, FishermanStranger FruitTrue Conviction What Lies Upstream
US Official Selection: NarrativeBarryBrigsby BearGook Infinity Baby LandlineMr. RooseveltParis Can WaitPatti Cake$ War Machine
Foreign Official Selection: Documentary:Ada for MayorAll Governments Lie: Truth, Deception and the Spirit of I. F. StoneCause of Death: UnknownThe Chocolate Case Fire at SeaPecking OrderA River BelowRumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World
Foreign Official Selection: NarrativeAfter the StormAfterimage At the End of the TunnelThe Distinguished Citizen The Divine Order DroneElle Farewell - Founders Grand Prize Best FilmGemma Bovery GraduationThe HandmaidenThe HippopotamusIce MotherJuliettaJunction 48 The King's Choice ManifestoMr. Long Neruda Newton The Oath One Week and a DayRock'n RollThings to ComeTom of FinlandToni ErdmannThe Trip to SpainTrumanThe Wedding PlanThe Women's BalconyThe Young Karl Marx
Avant Garde:Austerlitz The ChallengeInaate/Se/It Shines it a Certain Way. To a certain place./It Flies. Falls./MachinesStockholm, My Love
Free Movies at The Open Space:La La LandMoanaSnow White and the Seven DwarfsStar Wars: The Force AwakensStop Making Sense Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyWhat About Bob?
Friends Only Screenings:King of Peking The Work
Travel BanBeats of the Antonov City of GhostsFishing Without NetsLibya in MotionA New Day in Old Sana'aNowhere to HideThe Salesman
Student ScreeningsMSU Presents: Stay With Me CMU Presents: The Climb
Kid's Fest:Into the Who Knows!Revolting Rhymes
Midnight:Attack of the Lederhosen ZombiesDoug Benson Movie Interruption: Starship TroopersRaw Vampire Cleanup Department
Premieres:Gleason Hell or High Water Little Boxes Men of Sparta Sister Cities Walk with Me: The Trials of Damon J. Keith
The Sidebar: Food on Film:Dinner in Abruzzo/Knife Skills First GrowthNew Chefs on the BlockSoulWasted! The Story of Food Waste
Special Screenings:Awake, A Dream from Standing RockCool Hand LukeDoug Loves MoviesMike's SurpriseReservoir DogsSpeedy with the Alloy OrchestraTo Be or Not to Be
#tween:Fanny's JourneyMy Life as a Zucchini The Red TurtleSwallows and Amazons
TCFF Shorts: Shorts by MSU StudentsShorts by U-M Students Shorts for All Kids Shorts for Kids 4+Best of Luck With the Wall Commodity City Cop Dog Hot Winter: A Film By Dick Pierre In a Nutshell Iron Hands Moom All the World's A StageFork in the RoadInside Flint
  • ''Trip Abroad''

2018

The 14th annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 31 - August 5, 2018. Jane Fonda, Dick Cavett, and Leon Vitali were added to TCFF Walk of Fame this year, and Nick Offerman was able to Skype in for the screening of Hearts Beat Loud. Jane Fonda received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The TCFF Student U program was launched this year.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:RBGBurdenHearts Beat Loud
US Official Selection: DocumentaryAli & Cavett: The Tale of the TapesArthur Miller: WriterBathtubs Over BroadwayBisbee ‘17Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr StoryThe Cold Blue / The Memphis Belle Cracked Up: The Darrell Hammond StoryCrime + PunishmentFilmworkerFreaks and Geeks: The DocumentaryHalHillbillyHitchcock/TruffautJane Fonda in Five ActsMinding the GapA Murder in MansfieldOne of UsRoll Red RollThe Russian FiveSay Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra BlandThe Sentence Stranger FruitTime for Ilhan Water & Power: A California HeistWhite Tide: The Legend of CulebraWon't You Be My NeighborWrestle
US Official Selection: NarrativeBlazeDianeHostiles Leave No Trace The Long Dumb RoadThe Miseducation of Cameron PostNancyNever Goin' Back Night Comes On Puzzle Relaxer The Seagull Support The Girls Woman Walks Ahead
Foreign Official Selection: Narrative1945And Breathe Normally The CaptainThe Death of Stalin Disobedience Family HeistA Fantastic Woman The GuiltyHow to Talk to Girls at Parties In the FadeThe InsultLet The Sunshine InLubaMary Goes RoundThe Other Side of Hope Smuggling Hendrix The SquareStreaker Zama
Foreign Official Selection: DocumentaryThe Eyes of Orson WellesFaces PlacesHitler's HollywoodLast Men in Aleppo Loving VincentMcQueenOur New PresidentPerfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too MuchPope Francis: A Man of His WordSea SorrowThe Silence of Others
Free Movies at The Open Space:Stop Making SenseJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle9 to 5The Greatest ShowmanFerris Bueller's Day Off Black PantherCoco
Friends Only Screenings:Amateurs Skid Row Marathon
Student ScreeningsMSU Presents: Crandies Shorts by CMU Students Shorts by MSU Students Shorts by U-M Students
Kid's Fest:Jim Button and Luke the Engine DriverMaya the Bee: The Honey GamesShorts for All KidsShorts for Kids 6+
Midnight:Anna and the ApocalypseDoug Benson Movie Interruption: TwisterRuin Me Shorts AF
Food on Film:Back to Burgundy BrewmasterChef FlynnThe Heat: A Kitchen evolutionThe Quest of Alain Ducasse
Special Screenings:The Atomic CafeComing HomeDoug Loves Movies PodcastMike's SurpriseJuliaMino BimaadiziwinSomething WildSwimming to CambodiaWarrior Women
#tween:Supa ModoYouth Unstoppable
TCFF Shorts Programs:' Shorts on Shuffle IShorts on Shuffle II The Future is Shorts
  • ''Shorts Save America''

2019

The 15th annual Traverse City Film Festival was held from July 30 - August 3, 2019. Lily Tomlin received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Opening & Closing Night and Centerpiece Screenings:Brittany Runs a Marathon After the Wedding

Notable filmmakers and guests

Board members

Staff

  • Festival Co-Directors: Susan Fisher and Meg Weichman