Ann Arbor Film Festival facts for kids
Opening animation during the 43rd fest
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| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
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| Language | International |
| Website | http://www.aafilmfest.org |
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is a super cool event that happens every year in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the United States. It's one of the oldest film festivals in North America, starting way back in 1963! It's especially famous for showing experimental films. These are movies that try new and different ways of telling stories or showing ideas.
This festival is a big deal for independent filmmakers. It's a place where they can show their amazing work. Each year, the festival gets over 3,000 film entries. These films come from more than 60 countries around the world. The festival also gives out over $20,000 in cash awards to talented filmmakers.
Since 1964, the Ann Arbor Film Festival has also gone on tour. It takes a collection of short films to more than 30 places. These include art house theaters, universities, and galleries all over the world.
The festival was created to be different from regular movies you see in cinemas. Its main goal is to show that film is a true art form. It also helps new and experienced film and video makers grow. The festival welcomes all kinds of films and videos. This includes experimental films, stories (narratives), cartoons (animation), and documentaries. The Ann Arbor Film Festival wants to support brave and creative filmmakers. It also wants to share amazing movie experiences with everyone.
History of the Ann Arbor Film Festival
The Ann Arbor Film Festival began in 1963. It was started by George Manupelli, a professor at the University of Michigan. At first, the festival only showed films made on 16 mm film. This was a common film size back then. That's why it was first called the 16 mm Film Festival.
The festival quickly became well-known. It was one of the few places where experimental filmmakers could show their unique movies. In 1980, the festival moved to the Michigan Theater. This is a famous building in Ann Arbor with 1700 seats.
In 1983, the festival became independent from the University of Michigan. It became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means it's a group that doesn't make money for owners. Instead, it uses its money to support its goals. In 2003, the festival started accepting digital films. This made it easier for even more filmmakers to enter. In 2007, Variety magazine called it one of their "Top Ten Festivals We Love."
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival moved online. People could watch the films from home for free. Many famous filmmakers and artists have shown their early work at the Ann Arbor Film Festival. These include Kenneth Anger, Agnès Varda, Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and George Lucas.
See also
In Spanish: Festival de Cine de Ann Arbor para niños
